The literary-techniques tag has no wiki summary.
5
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1answer
54 views
When the subject of a sentence is the same as the object of the previous sentence
What is it called when the subject of a sentence is the same as the object of the previous sentence?
For example:
I'm going to Freddy's house. Freddy lives down the block. The block is paved ...
1
vote
1answer
117 views
To say in a threatening way without issuing a threat
Near the end of the movie Mirror Mirror, I heard the following line uttered by the mirror:
"Are you ready to learn the price of using magic?"
It was spoken as a threat, but the mirror was not ...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
Is there a technical term for when verbs in a sentence appear as if they have been swapped around? [closed]
Is there a technical term for when verbs in a sentence appear as if they have been swapped around as in the example here?
'her fingers creased in gold [and] her body ringed in folds'
In this ...
-1
votes
1answer
87 views
Do you feel any subtle changes in meaning with the addition or omission of article(s) in this sentence? [closed]
I'm translating a short story that is a parody of Kafka's 'Report to an Academy.' A chimp is called to present a report to an academy about the time when he was a chimp. I'm to translate into English ...
3
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2answers
187 views
Literary device: frequently referenced object which never appears
What do you call an object or a person which is frequently referenced but never actually appears? For example, Godot from ‘Waiting for Godot’?
2
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2answers
183 views
Avoiding confusion with multiple use of ibids, how would one do it?
I was thinking and researching about the use of Ibid in footnotes/endnotes etc. and found the following example in Wikipedia:
[1] E. Vijh, Latin for Dummies (New York: Academic, 1997), p. 23
[2] ...
3
votes
2answers
812 views
What is “narrative nonfiction”, exactly? Isn't every nonfiction narrative?
I came across the term “narrative nonfiction” in the New York Times article titled “What should children read?” (November 22). It seems to be a journalist’s and book editors’ favorite jargon from the ...
3
votes
2answers
170 views
Is there a term for metaphors built upon double entendres?
I was thinking deeply about figurative language today, and I read a sentence that must be an example of a specific type of figurative language, but I didn't remember learning about it and couldn't ...
9
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1answer
275 views
Searching for a literary term for “if this, then I’m a this” statements
I’m reading Shakespeare’s Henry IV (Part 1) right now and I’m noticing that Sir John Falstaff has a propensity of saying “If this, then I’m a this” sort of statements. A few examples to clarify:
… ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Literary term for an obvious understatement to emphasize excess
I was wondering what the term was for a intentional understatement of an obvious excess to emphasize that excess.
For example saying Bill Gates is “doing well for himself”. Anyone familiar with Bill ...
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12answers
838 views
What is the correct term for a story that sits alongside another one in time and place?
What is the correct term for a book that sits alongside another book in time and universe, sharing some characters and events? Not after (a sequel) or before (a prequel), but parallel.
Example: I've ...
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3answers
623 views
What is a term for describing words that sound similar in a pleasing manner when used together?
I want to describe words which produce pleasure effect as they are similar sounding.
For example, I want to describe the similarity in the pronunciation of
Vinni, Vijji, Vikki
Amit, Sumit
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votes
2answers
196 views
“Lessen, poisoned gulls, ditcher wander hair annulled furry tell a boarder Slipping Booty?”
This is the prelude to an article published in Sports Illustrated magazine on August 17, 1959:
Lessen, poisoned gulls, ditcher wander hair annulled furry tell a
boarder Slipping Booty? Hoecake? ...
1
vote
2answers
830 views
Sentence using “hamartia”
Can any one tell me how to use the word hamartia in everyday writing? I have searched a lot but failed to find any sentence using this word. Any help would be appreciated.
2
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6answers
222 views
“commit suicide” In A Literary Way [closed]
They have committed suicide.
It sounds too cold. I am not writing a report.
They have ended their lives.
It sounds too boring.
So how can I phrase it such that there is a sense of ...
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0answers
46 views
Name of literary device and examples [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there a name for inverting word order to accomplish a different meaning?
“Some champagne for my real friends, some real pain for my sham friends.”
Style of this ...
3
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1answer
349 views
What literary device is being used here?
The beginning of prehistoric wars is a disputed issue between anthropologists and historians.
Source: http://ask.yahoo.com/20070404.html
I was reading that article and I noticed that sentence ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Literary technique from quote in Frankenstein
How much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the
world, than he who aspires to be greater than his nature will allow
The above quote is taken from Mary Shelley's ...
1
vote
0answers
382 views
What is the broader meaning of metonymy in literary criticism? [closed]
I already know the basic meaning of metonymy (e.g. In "Washington passed the bill." the word "Washington" stands in for "the government"). I also know that metonymy is a form of nebeneinander ...
1
vote
1answer
849 views
What is the literary term used to describe long vowel sounds?
What is the literary term used to describe long vowel sounds?
For example in Ted Hughes's "Your Paris" in his Birthday Letters anthology "Eerie Familiar Feeling", what term would be used to describe ...
2
votes
1answer
297 views
Identifying the literary technique
I was wondering if there is a literary technique in the following quote:
"Let us be sacrificers but not butchers"
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6answers
369 views
In literary terms, what's the best word to describe a collection of locations?
I'm translating a book I wrote some years ago from Portuguese to English, and there's a section that describes the locations, spaces and factions from a specific fictional work.
Whats the best word ...
2
votes
1answer
225 views
Is there any other literary technique other than metaphor in the following quote?
I'm writing an essay required for school, involving the analysis of texts.
“remove the shackles of prejudice and intolerance”
I was wondering if there is any other literary technique in the ...
3
votes
1answer
122 views
Suitable description for this type of sentence
Lyrics from The National's Ada
Ada don't talk about reasons why you
don't want to talk about reasons why
you don't wanna talk
Is there a word for the structure of this sentence - for me it ...
4
votes
2answers
763 views
What is it called when a character is portrayed opposite the stereotype for comedic effect?
Many character roles have stereotypically defined behavior, e.g. macho soldiers or helpless princesses. Sometimes authors intentionally defy those stereotypes for humor, and to call attention to ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there a literary term for the circular nature of a story? [closed]
Is there a literary term for the circular nature of a story, starting in place a, going on to b and c before returning to complete at a again?
5
votes
3answers
263 views
Technique relating environment and emotions/personality
I was wondering what is the technical term for the technique relating a physical environment to the mental state.
For example, I am writing about how the dim lighting and cluttered workspace of ...
1
vote
1answer
403 views
A Good Resource (Book, …) For Literary Techniques/Devices? [closed]
What's a good book (Or resource) on Literary Techniques/Devices in English Literature?
27
votes
12answers
2k views
Is there a word to describe a highly desirable cursed treasure?
Is there a single word to describe an object or idea that is so desirable that everyone wants to attain it but once they have it they are immediately cursed?
The idea is often used in literature—some ...
0
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4answers
1k views
Literary techniques involving sound
What literary sound device/technique is expressed through the phrase "sudden departures", involving the articulation of the words? (alliteration, assonance, sibilance etc.)
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vote
1answer
1k views
Common Literary Techniques for Drama Texts?
Right now we're studying a piece on drama (Disclosure: This is for school, but not necessarily for an essay or homework - It's just further study on other literary techniques that are used within ...
