Literary Key Words

Literary techniques are used by the writer to make the reader think in different ways. Also known as literary devices, they can persuade or inform the reader.

The most common are known as SPAMO.

Simile- compares one thing with another using 'as' or 'like'.
Example- the wind was as loud as a lion.

Personification- giving an object human attributes.
Example- the wind screamed through the trees.

Alliteration- two words that start with the same letter.
Example- the angry alligator.

Metaphor- names a person,thing or action as something else.
Example-the wind was a lion, roaring continuously.

Onomatopoeia- words that sound like what they mean.
Example- the fireworks whooshed and crashed furiously.

Some others you should know:

Hyperbole- an exaggeration for rhetorical effect.
Example- The sun scorched all day.

Oxymoron- two or more contradictory terms.
Example- sad smile, deafening silence.

Pathetic fallacy- a type of personification that gives emotion to an object, setting or weather.
Example- the clouds darted as the sky grew depressed.

Emotive language- language that gives or makes us feel emotion.
Example- the anxious sky reached forward and ripped the clouds to shreds.

IAFOREST is used to remember persuasive literary techniques.

Imperative- instructional language or a command.
Example- you should wear that dress.

Alliteration- two words that start with the same letter.
Example- the angry alligator

Flattery- complimenting the audience.
Example- you are an intelligent person.

Opinion- personal viewpoint.
Example- this is the best burger in the world.

Rhetorical question- a question that implies its own answer.
Example- who doesn't want more money?

Emotive language- language that creates a feeling or gives an object emotion.

Example - the anxious sky cried streaks of lightning.

Statistics and Facts- factual data given in a persuasive way.
Example-80% of students would take out more student loans.

Triples- three points to convince an audience.
Example- we should recycle our plastic food packaging, as it reduces the amount of litter in landfills, it allows manufacturers to reuse the plastic in other products and it reduces the impact on scarce oil resources.

Poetry

Caesura - a pause between two lines with punctuation or two lines.
Enjambment: When the sentence on a line carries over onto the next line.
Iambic Pentameter: A ten-syllable line with accents falling on every second syllable.
Rhyming Couplet: Two lines that rhyme and go straight after each other.
Quatrain: A type of stanza consisting of four lines.