Literary Techniques

What are literary techniques?

• Non-universal features of literature that deal with individual words and sentences.

• typical structures used by writers in their works to convey a message(s) to the reader in a simple manner

• are used to develop the literary piece and are extensively employed by writers

• an essential characteristic of all works of written and spoken narrative fiction

Answer explanation

Literary techniques are non-universal features of literature that deal with individual words and sentences.

All these are literary techniques except

• Imagery

• Apostrophe

• Euphemism

• Plot

Answer explanation

Literary techniques include, but are not limited to Simile, Metaphor, Imagery, Alliteration, Assonance, Euphemism, Paradox, Synedoche and Onomatopoeia.

"My love is like a red, red rose."

This is an exaple of a

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Euphemism

Answer explanation

Simile compares two distinct objects using 'as' or 'like'.

Which is a prime example of alliteration?

• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

• Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

  How I wonder what you are.

• Immaculate and pure, her aura frosty, she tinkers, hoping for a new age.

• The boy is the father of the man.

Answer explanation

Alliteration refers to the same consonant sounds in words coming together.

Which of these animated movies illustrates anthropomorphism?

• Beauty and the Beast

• Cinderella

• Sonic the Hedgehog

• Spiderman

• Naruto

Answer explanation

Anthropomorphism is when non-human things like animals or objects act human, exhibiting traits such as speech, thoughts, complex emotions, and sometimes even wearing clothes and standing upright.

"How you doin’?" is an example of

• Analogy

• Chiasma

• Antithesis

• Colloquialism

Answer explanation

Colloquialism is using casual and informal speech, including slangs, in formal writing to make dialogue seem more realistic and authentic.

Which literary technique requires the use of lengthy words in describing a simple statement?

• Colloquialism

• Chiasma

• Circumlocution

• Calistenics

Which of these statements makes use of euphemism?

• He is a liar and a master at manipulation.

• She kicked the bucket only a fortnight ago.

• Ameerah and Faith are two peas in a pod.

• I do not like mincing words when speaking to others.

Answer explanation

A euphemism is a soft and inoffensive word or phrase that replaces a harsh, unpleasant, or hurtful one for the sake of sympathy or civility.

Literary techniques are also known as

• Figures of speech

• Literary devices

• Literary elements

• Parts of speeach

"You raw thing! You uncultured element! Ignorant babbon and nincompoop! How can you have the temerity, the audacity and in fact, the effrontery to talk back at me?"

This piece of dialogue was extracted from Chinelo Ifezulike's The Costly Mistake. What literary device is used here?

• Colloquialism

• Circumlocution

• Chiasma

• Calligraphy

Answer explanation

Circumlocution is the deliberate action of writing in a lengthy and confusing manner. The student could have made his point using simpler words, but he wanted to also intimidate his juniors with his vocabulary.