A literary technique is a specific method which authors use to create effective texts. You may recognise some of these techniques from studying poetry and others you may have learned while studying drama. You will not find all of these techniques used in any one particular text. Think of them as an artist's palette - a writer might use a splash of allegory here, or a little touch of assonance there. Literature would be really rather boring without them.
Test your knowledge on literary techniques with this quiz.
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You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Using language effectively
An example of situational irony is when Macbeth believes the witches' prophecies about his invincibility only to discover that Burnham wood came to Dunsinane in a way neither he nor the audience could predict
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'The leaves on the tree shivered in the chill easterly breeze' would be an example of personification. Inanimate objects don't literally shiver
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'Slurp', 'drizzle' and 'glug' are all examples of onomatopoeia
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A story or poem containing allegory can also be described as 'allegorical'
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