English Literary Techniques List 

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‍Technique 

‍Active voice/Passive voice

This refers to writing that uses the forms of verbs which create a direct relationship between the subject and the object. Active voice is lively and more direct. 

Example: I am cooking a meal (active). The apron was worn by me (passive). 

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Alliteration 

The repetition of consonant sounds. This adds to the atmosphere or mood of the scene. 

Example: The baby bird beckoned.

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Allusion 

This is when a reference is made to another text to clarify an idea or enhance meaning. 

Example: I’m Juliet to your Romeo. 

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Analogy 

A comparison made between two things that share something in common. 

Example: Life is a box of chocolates. 

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Anecdote 

A small story often revolving around someone’s personal experiences. 

Example: When I was four years old, I had a very serious injury after falling off a bike. 

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Antithesis 

Setting up an opposition of contrasting ideas in a phrase or sentence. 

Example: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. 

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Aside 

Words or lines that are spoken for the benefit of the character or audience, which other characters on stage cannot hear. This is a common technique in plays and conveys a character’s thoughts, emotions and motivations. 

Example: A little more than kin and less than kind (Hamlet). 

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Assonance 

The repetition of vowel sounds. 

Example: His tender heir might bear his memory. 

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Atmosphere 

The mood created through the language of the text.

Example: The room was so stuffy that she could hardly breathe. 

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Audience 

Those to whom the text is addressed. 

Example: Postmodern contemporary audience 

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Bias 

A leaning to one side of the argument by deliberately distorting the evidence. Usually provides an unbalanced view.

Example: English is more interesting than maths, since it allows for introspection.  

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Cliche 

A phrase or expression that has been worn out by overuse. 

Example: Once upon a time…

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Climax

The part of a narrative or drama at which the crisis point is reached. 

Example: The death of the protagonist/antagonist. 

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Colloquial

In the manner of everyday speech. It is when vernacular or casual speech is used in texts. 

Example: Do you wanna go shopping? 

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Connotation/ denotation

The denotations of words are its primary meanings whereas connotations refer to the underlying messages or associations we make with particular words. 

Example: She’s feeling blue (connotation). 

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Context 

The surrounding circumstances. 

Example: The historical context of WWII. 

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Descriptive Language 

Language that creates a vivid picture of an object or scene through diction (choice of words etc). 

Example: The valley was luscious and green. 

Dialogue/Direct Speech 

Speech between characters in a narrative or drama. Often reveals thoughts, feelings, motivations, prejudices and fears of speakers or characters. 

Example: 

Character 1 - It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you mother…

Character 2 - Fate had it that we would be united at last. 

Ellipsis 

The omission of one or more words in a sentence, indicated by the use of three consecutive full stops. Often used when quoting another text to cut down the length of the quote. 

Example: I don’t think this is a good idea…

Form 

The shape, style and structure of a text as opposed to its content.

Example: Drama play, narrative, short story, poem etc. 

Hyperbole 

A figure of speech that presents an exaggeration. 

Example: I was so hungry, I could eat a horse. 

Imagery 

The use of language to create pictures in the reader’s mind. It includes sensory imagery which appeals to the sense of smell, sound, touch and taste (olfactory, auditory, kinesthetic, gustatory). 

Example: She ran her fingers through the thorny stems of the roses as though to taste the pain of regret. 

Intertextuality 

When one text is referred to in another. It is the interdependence of texts through allusions. 

Example: As Shakespeare mentions in King Henry IV Part I, ‘what is honour? Air’... 

Irony 

The condition created by what is stated and what is actually the case. 

Example: The Titanic was known as the ‘unsinkable’ ship. 

Metaphor 

When one thing is implicitly described with the characteristics of another. 

Example: He is a toothpick. 

Motif 

Any element that recurs frequently in a literary text, that can help develop the text’s main themes or plot. 

Example: The motif of butterflies in the film ‘Bright Star’ which represent the ephemeral nature of life. 

Paradox 

A statement that is apparently self-contradictory. 

Example: Less is more. 

Pathos 

The feeling of pity or sorrow, evoked by a tragic event. 

Example: Over 10 000 children die each month from hunger. 

Personification 

The attributing of human qualities or characteristics to inanimate objects or animals. 

Example: The wind shouted. 

Purpose

What the composer is trying to achieve through the text. 

Example: To inform audiences regarding autism. 

Realism 

An attempt to present the real world in text. 

Example: The description of a classroom setting. 

Repetition 

Repeating a sound, word or phrase to draw attention to its importance and place an emphasis on the idea conveyed. 

Example: The child felt alone. Alone in a scary world. Alone to face life. 

Representation 

This refers to when a text presents or reflects some aspects of the real world in order to challenge them. 

Example: Racism within society. 

Rhetorical Question 

A question that does not require an answer, but rather aims to challenge and provoke thought. 

Example: What if women ruled the world? 

Setting

The place and context in which the events of a story occur. 

Example: 1980’s America at the campus of Harvard University. 

Simile 

When one thing is explicitly described in terms of another. 

Example: She was beautiful as a butterfly. 

Soliloquy 

A speech in which a character who is usually alone on stage, expresses his/her feelings, concerns and motivations. It is almost exclusively used in plays. 

Example: To be or not to be, that is the question. 

Symbolism 

An object that stands for something else. 

Example: A crossroad. 

Theme 

A central idea in a text. 

Example: Oppression 

Tone 

The way language is used to reflect attitudes or emotions towards certain ideas or situations. 

Example: Cautious, frustrated, matter of fact, serious…

Voice

The sense of personality and originality behind the words of an author. 

Example: I was given a voice…I pictured this voice as a hothouse plant (Margaret Atwood). 

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Overall, seeking literary devices in texts shouldn’t be a daunting task. After learning the above list of literary features and techniques, you should be able to master any essay or unseen question that is thrown at you. 

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Want to learn more about how to analyse texts and unpack techniques? Reach out to Concept at https://www.concepteducation.com.au/enquire or email us at admin@concepteducation.com.au - we're always happy to help!

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