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Neel Iyer Teacher: Mr Jovic

Glossary of techniques
Prose

Allusion A brief, often implicit and


indirect reference within a
literary text to something
outside the text, whether
another text (e.g. the Bible, a
myth, another literary work, a
painting, or a piece of music)
or any imaginary or historical
person, place, or thing.
Irony A situation or statement
characterized by a significant
difference between what is
expected and what actually
happens, or between what is
understood and what is
meant.
Epiphany A sudden moment of
illumination or revelation of
truth, often inspired by a
seemingly simple or
commonplace event.
Metaphor A general term for almost any
figure of speech involving
comparison; more commonly,
a particular figure of speech
in which two unlike things are
compared implicitlythat is,
without the use of a signal
such as the word like or as
as in Love is a rose, but you
better not pick it.
Simile A figure of speech involving a
direct, explicit comparison of
one thing to another, usually
using the words like or as to
draw the connection, as in
My love is like a red, red
rose.
Neel Iyer Teacher: Mr Jovic

Poetry

Enjambment Enjambment is the


continuation of a sentence or
clause over a line-break. (in
verse)
Meter Meter is a unit of rhythm in
poetry, the pattern of the
beats.
Rhyme Repetition of the same sounds
in words that appear near
each other in a poem, often at
the end of a line used to
create a musical effect

Assonance The repetition of vowel sounds


to create internal rhyming
within phrases or sentences.
Fractured/truncated Incomplete sentences used to
sentences increase tension or urgency,
or reflect the way people
speak to each other.

Drama

Pitch The highness or lowness of a


sound
Pace The rate at which words are
spoken
Pause Where sound stops, how often
and for how long
Energy How an actor moves, the
amount of force, the mood
expressed through movement
Volume How loudly/softly the words
are spoken

Visuals

Posture Stance, way of standing


Gesture Movement of any part of the
Neel Iyer Teacher: Mr Jovic

body to express idea, feeling


or mood
Body awareness Ability to select appropriate
use of body on stage,
choosing to use the whole
body, or isolated parts of the
body expressively
Facial expression Using the face to show mood,
emotion, feeling and
responses
Eye contact Establishing eye contact with
another actor or the audience

Film

Articulation Clarity of voice

Tone The feeling/emotion in the


voice

Inflection The rise and fall of a voice

Accent The voice particular to a


country/society/culture
Proximity The amount of distance or
space between actors, the
amount of space between
actors and audience.

Rhetoric

Imagery Vivid pictures created by


words. Reader visualises
character/setting clearly.
Parody Conscious imitation for a
satiric purpose.
Satire Composition which ridicules
in a scornful & humorous way.
Euphemism Mild expression used to
replace a harsh one.
Neel Iyer Teacher: Mr Jovic

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