techniques

• allusion


  an indirect reference to a concept or theme without explicit mention.
• antithesis


  the direct opposite of a concept or person.
• archetype


  a person or thing who is a typical example of something, with clear, recognisable characteristics.
• caricature


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


  an informal world or phrase used in normal or familiar conversation.
• dramatic irony 


  when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters do.
• dichotomy 


  a division or contrast between two opposed things.
• epithet


  referring to a person or thing with an adjective or phrase that describes a defining characteristic (eg, the blue-eyed boy).
• epitome


  a perfect example or embodiment of a concept.
• euphemism


  the replacement of a crude or offensive expression with a more vague or mild one.
• hyperbole


  exaggerating in a way that should not be taken literally.
• imagery


  using language to create a visual picture.
• innuendo


  an implicit remark or hint, particularly one that is supposed to be suggestive.
• interjection


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


  two contrasting concepts or characters placed close together in a text.
• manifestation


  a physical expression or realisation of an abstract idea through a character, object, place or event.
• oxymoron


  a figure of speech where two contradictory terms are used in succession.
• parody 


  imitating a particular style, genre or piece of work with deliberate exaggeration to create a comic effect.
• satire


  using irony, exaggeration, humour or ridicule to criticise someone’s stupidity or cruel behaviour, particularly in a political context.
• situational irony


  when the outcome of an event is different to what was expected by the characters and the audience.
• cyclical


  when the same sequence of events repeats throughout a story.
• exposition


  information provided through stage directions, dialogue or description, used to introduce the audience to crucial background information.
• allegory


  a story, character or event used to convey a hidden meaning, typically moral or political, about real-world events or issues.
• microcosm


  using a place or group of people in the small-scale to represent something much larger.
• monologue


  a long speech by one character.
• morality play


  a form of theatre designed to teach the audience a lesson about good behaviour.
• mouthpiece


  when the playwright places a character in the play who acts as a spokesman for their own views and beliefs.
• exemplar response


  how priestley wants the audience to respond
• ad hominem


  directed at a person rather than the point they are making