Literary Techniques

What are literary techniques?

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

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

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

• structures that writers employ to provide the readers with lesser understanding and appreciation of their literary works

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.

"Your bag weighs a ton!"

This is an example of

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

• Euphemism

Answer explanation

Hyperbole makes use of exaggerations.

Which of these sentences use personification?

• Her blood stained the pristine floor, like petals of a wilted rose.

• The keys jiggled, making the children halt in their tracks.

• Her powers of clairvoyance could rival some major prophets in the bible.

• Hycent revelled in the feel of home, calm and soothing.

Answer explanation

Personification gives a thing, an idea or an animal human qualities.

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.

Harry Potter's Lord Voldemort makes use of what literary technique in making a supreme declaration of his name?

• Anagram

• Chaisma

• Allegory

• Colloquialism

Answer explanation

An anagram is a word puzzle where the author rearranges the letters in a word or phrase to make a new word or phrase.

'I am Lord Voldemort' is an anagram for 'Tom Marvolo Riddle'.

Which literary technique shrouds painful or harsh facts in polite, pleasant sentences?

• Epigrapgh

• Euphemism

• Irony

• Imagery

Which of these statements is a metaphor?

• 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 metaphor compares two distinct entities withiut the use of 'as' or 'like'. It provides a more direct comparison, compared to simile.

In Chugbo Ugwuoke’s Ogadimma- The Diary of a Housemaid, Mrs. Bello feels a sense of familiarity when she looks at Ogadi, hinting that she is in fact her long lost daughter. This implies the use of

• Clairvoyance

• Fanciful words

• Foreshadowing

• Agbari

Answer explanation

Foreshadowing is the technique of hinting at future events in a story using subtle parallels, usually to generate more suspense or engage the reader’s curiosity.

Literary techniques are also known as

• Figures of speech

• Literary devices

• Literary elements

• Parts of speeach