Figurative techniques:

The following text employs a variety of linguistic features to create effects for the readers. Some
of them are: 1. Symbolism :
It is the practice or art of using an object or a word to represent an abstract idea. An action,
person, place, word, weather, color, or object can all have a symbolic meaning. Everything and
anything can become a symbol to express ideas, emotions, and states of mind.
Metaphorical symbols:
Life is a roller coaster. This is symbolic because it indicates that there will be ups and downs in
life that you have to weather.
Allegorical symbols:
In the movie trilogy Star Wars, Luke was dressed in light colors and Darth Vader was dressed in
black, showing good v/s evil.

Figurative techniques:
◦ A metaphor is a figure of speech which ◦ Metaphors are meant to create an impact in the minds
makes an implicit, implied or hidden of readers. comparison between two things or objects
Other kinds of expressions that belong to this genre are: that are poles apart from each other but
◦
have some characteristics common
between them. In other words, a Analogies: Hyperboles: which are literal comparisonswhich are
exaggerations
resemblance of two contradictory or Antitheses: which use contrasts to prove a point different
objects is made based on a single ◦
or some common characteristics. The aim of all these literary tools is to convey a
thought more forcefully than a plain statement
would.
Figurative techniques: -
◦ Imagery means to use figurative language ◦ It was dark and dim in the forest. visual
image
to represent objects, actions and ideas in
such a way that it appeals to our physical •the fields. The children were screaming and
shouting in senses. Usually it is thought that imagery auditory imagery.

makes use of particular words that create • He whiffed the aroma of brewed coffee.- visual
representation of ideas in our olfactory imagery. minds. The word imagery is associated
•tactile imagery. The girl ran her hands on a soft satin fabric.

with mental pictures. However, this idea is • The fresh and juicy orange are very cold and but
partially correct. Imagery, to be sweet.- gustatory imagery realistic, turns out to be more
complex than just a picture.
Figurative techniques:
◦ A simile is a figure of speech that makes a ◦ Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in
comparison, showing similarities between two such a way that their intended meaning is different from
different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a
draws resemblance with the help of the words situation that may end up in quite a different way than
what is generally anticipated. In simple word, it is a
“like” or "as". Therefore, it is a direct difference between the appearance and the reality.
comparison.

◦ Personification is a figure of speech in which ◦ Alliterationwords having the same first consonant sound
occur is a stylistic device in which a number of a thing, an idea or an animal is given human close together
in a series. An important point to attributes. The non-human objects are remember here is that alliteration
does not depend on portrayed in such a way that we feel they have letters but on sounds. So the phrase
not knotty is the ability to act like human beings. alliterative, but cigarette chase is not.
Figurative techniques:
◦ Assonance takes place when two or more ◦ Repetition and exaggeration are figures of speech
words close to one another repeat the that are also used by writers to emphasize an idea, or same
vowel sound but start with different effect. In case of a repetition, it may involve
repeating words or images or conveying the same
consonant sounds.
idea through different words. In case of exaggeration,
The sound of long vowels slows down the the writer may only want to enlarge an idea or effect pace
of a passage and sets an atmosphere so that it cannot be missed by the reader that is grave and
serious.
◦
Literary Devices:
◦Euphemisms are polite, mild phrases which substitute
unpleasant ways of saying something sad or uncomfortable.
◦Euphemisms are often used in everyday speech to soften
difficult situations. Here are a few examples of euphemism:
Example
We have to let you go, Tyler.
To “let someone go” is to fire someone. This is a euphemism
that sounds much nicer than the harsh truth of the situation.
Literary Devices:
“Antithesis” literally means “opposite” – it is usually the
opposite of a statement, concept, or idea. In literary analysis, an
antithesis is a pair of statements or images in which the one
reverses the other. The pair is written with similar grammatical
structures to show more contrast.
Antithesis is used to emphasize a concept, idea, or conclusion.
Example 1
To err is human; to forgive, divine. (Alexander Pope) This
example is used to point out that humans possess both worldly
and godly qualities; they can all make mistakes, but they also
have the power to free others from blame.
Literary Devices:
◦ “A specific type of parallelism/parallel structure where there are three main clauses
(tri = three)
◦
◦ Examples:

◦ “I came; I saw; I conquered”/”Veni vidi vici” -Julius Caesar.

◦ “You are talking to a man who has laughed in the face of death, sneered at
doom, and chuckled at catastrophe.” -The Wizard of Oz.
◦
Literary Devices:
◦“Euphemism is a mild or indirect word or
expression substituted for one considered to be
too harsh or blunt when referring to something
unpleasant or embarrassing.

◦Examples:

◦ “Passed away” instead of “died”

◦ “Let go” instead of “fired”
Literary Devices:
“Rhetorical question is a question that you ask without expecting an
answer or does not have any clear answer. It might also be one that has an
obvious answer but you have asked the question to make a point, to
persuade or for literary effect.

Examples:

What's the matter with kids today? Who cares? What is the meaning of
life? Context: A child is asking for a very expensive toy. His parent says
"Do you think that money just grows on trees?
Types of sentences
◦“There are four types of sentences: simple,
compound, complex, and compound-complex. A
sentence contains one or more clauses, and you
can classify a sentence as one of the four types by
assessing the number and types of clauses it
contains.
•
•
•
 Simple Sentences

•
•
•
Compound Sentences
•
•
 Adverbs of Degree
Adverb of Degree:
An adverb that expresses the extent to which
something is done(e.g. ‘very’ , ‘only’, ‘almost’ )

Adverb of Manner:
An adverb expressing the way in which something is
done (e.g. ‘completely’ , ‘simply', terribly’)
 Modal verbs
English modal verbs include:

must, shall, will, should, would , can , could , may ,

and might.
A playwright relies on words and actions to express such thoughts and
feelings.
One way writers indicate these is through a structural device called an
aside.
This is where a characters do express a thought aloud with the
implication that other characters do not hear them.
Example:
Masha Can you give the money back next week?
Darab Of course! (aside) What am I going to do?
There’s no way I can find the money before then!
Aside invites the audience to see things from a particular
character’ s point of view, sharing their private concerns,
which can establish a sense of sympathy between audience
and character.

Aside also contributes to another feature of plays – dramatic

irony. This is when the audience knows more than the
characters on stage.
Dramatic irony can create effects such as humour or tension.