Techniques (Language)

• Define 'alliteration'


  The repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of words in close succession.
• Define 'allusion'


  An indirect reference to a concept or theme without explicit mention.
• Define 'antithesis'


  The direct opposite of a concept or person.
• Define 'archetype'


  A person or thing who is a typical example of something, usually a personality type, with clear, recognisable characteristics.
• Define 'caricature'


  An imitation where particular notable characteristics are exaggerated to a comic or grotesque effect.
• Define 'colloquialism'


  An informal word or phrase used in normal or familiar conversation.
• Define 'connotation'


  An impression, idea, or feeling associated with a word or phrase beyond its literal meaning.
• Define 'dramatic irony'


  When the audience knows more about a situation than the characters discussing or experiencing it, meaning they know whether a character's prediction or statement is correct.
• Define 'dichotomy'


  A division or contrast between two opposed things.
• Define 'epithet'


  Referring to a person or thing with an adjective or phrase that describes a defining characteristic (e.g. "the blue-eyed boy" or "the Once and Future King").
• Define 'epitome' 


  A perfect example or embodiment of a concept.
• Define 'euphemism'


  Replacement of a crude or offensive expression with a more vague, mild expression (e.g. "water closet")
• Define 'foreshadowing'


  Giving a hint or warning of a future event, either explicitly or implicitly.
• Define 'grotesque'


  Ugly and distorted, physically or figuratively, in a way that is comic or repulsive.
• Define 'hyperbole'


  Exaggerating in a way that should not be taken literally.
• Define 'imagery'


  Using language to create a visual picture.
• Define 'innuendo'


  An implicit remark or hint, particularly one that is supposed to be suggestive or inappropriate.
• Define 'interjection'


  A sudden remark, used often as an interruption or aside in a text.
• Define 'juxtaposition'


  Two contrasting concepts or characters placed close together in a text.
• Define 'manifestation'


  A physical expression or realisation of an abstract idea through a character, object, place, or event.
• Define 'metaphor'


  Describing a person, object, or concept as something it cannot literally be, but that has recognisable and defining implications for it (e.g. "the sky was a stormy sea").
• Define 'oxymoron'


  A figure of speech where two contradictory terms are used in succession (e.g. "deafening quiet").
• Define 'parody' 


  Imitating a particular style, genre, or piece of work with deliberate exaggeration to create a comic effect.
• Define 'sarcasm'


  Saying the opposite of what one means or something that is obviously not true or reasonable, in order to mock or show contempt.
• Define 'satire'


  Using irony, exaggeration, humour, or ridicule to criticise someone's stupidity or cruel behaviour, particularly in a political context.
• Define 'semantic field'


  Using words that are linked by a particular concept, context, or connotation throughout a text or a section of a text.
• Define 'sibilance'


  The repetition of an "s" sound in a word, sentence, or section of text.
• Define 'simile'


  Comparing something to something else in a nonliteral way, in order to convey a particular idea or quality of the original thing.
• Define 'situational irony'


  When the outcome of an event is different than what was expected by the characters and the audience.
• Define 'symbolism'


  Using a character, object, or event to represent something else, particularly an abstract idea.
• Define ‘book-ending’


  Starting and ending a piece of literature with the same word, sentence, event, or idea.
• Define ‘Chinese Box Narrative’


  When a story is told within a story, often through different perspectives and forms (e.g. letters, diary entries, or word of mouth)
• Define ‘chronological’


  When events are told in the order they occurred.
• Define ‘cyclical’


  When the same sequence of events repeats throughout a story.
• Define ‘exposition’


  Information provided through stage directions, narration, dialogue, or description, used to introduce the audience to crucial background information.
• Define ‘in media res’


  Starting in the middle of the action.
• Define ‘parallelism’


  Using components that are similar in grammar, structure, or meaning within a sentence or multiple sentences (e.g. “He came, he saw, he conquered”).
• Define ‘refrain’


  A word, phrase, or sentence that is repeated throughout a text.
• Define ‘tricolon’


  Three parallel clauses, words, or phrases in quick succession (e.g. “Eye it, try it, buy it”)
• AFORRESST


  Alliteration; Fact; Opinion; Repetition; Rhetorical question; Emotive language; Simile / metaphor; Statistics; (group of) Three.

  Use this when writing or analysing PERSUASIVE texts.