Language
English Lit: AQA GCSE Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, topic 6.1.1
Literary Techniques Table
Here are five literary techniques explained:
Alliteration
- Two or more words begin with the same letter or sound close to one another.
- Example: 'The bright, beautiful and busy city'.
Short sentences
- Often used to create pace.
- Example: 'The door slammed'.
Evocative verbs
- Verbs chosen to have an impact on the mood or atmosphere.
- Example: 'crept', 'captured', 'vanquished'.
Pathetic fallacy
- The weather is used to reflect the mood of the situation or characters.
- Example: Rain to suggest sadness or depression.
Simile
- Two things are compared through linking words such as 'like' or 'as'.
- Example: 'The moon was like a silver ball in the sky'.
Literary Techniques Table
Here are five different literary techniques explained:
Metaphor
- One thing is described as another to suggest similarity.
- Words such as 'like' or 'as' are not used.
- Example: 'The silver ball in the sky.'
Appealing to the senses
- The use of sound, taste, touch, sight or smell to bring a situation to life for readers.
Hyperbolic language
- Exaggerating language for effect.
- Often used to suggest emotion.
- Example: 'Her heart felt like it was about to burst from her chest.'.
Personification
- Something inanimate (non-human) is given human features.
- Example: 'The windows winked at the street.'
Juxtaposition
- Two things being seen or placed close together with a contrasting effect.
Test yourself on Language
What do we call the technique of comparing two things through linking words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’?
What do we call verbs chosen to have an impact on the mood or atmosphere?
The characters in a novel are sad, and it is raining outside. What's this an example of?
Why might an author chose to use short sentences?
The busy bee broke away from the bustling hive
What technique is being used in this quote?