Review

Summarising Literary Techniques

While the different kinds of figurative language were covered in our first guide to literary techniques, here we have looked at the various non-figurative ways that writers can engage their readers.  

We began with literal language: writing which does not draw upon any kind of figurative allusions to communicate meaning. We then examined descriptive language, which allows a writer to slow down and relate what is happening in a key moment in a story. Writers can further bring their stories to life through the use of imagery: writing which appeals to the reader's senses to make a scene come alive in an evocative way.  

Next, we studied dialogue: the written representation of verbal and nonverbal communication. After that, we looked at juxtaposition and ways that writers can amplify the reader's impression of one thing by contrasting it with its complete opposite.

Following this, we learned about flashbacks: a technique that writers can use to take the reader briefly into the past to help make sense of the present. And finally, we examined irony: one of the most powerful, but misunderstood literary techniques available to writers. 

Learning to recognise different literary techniques (both figurative and literal) helps us to understand whatever it is a writer is trying to communicate to their readers. We can then refer to these techniques when sharing our interpretation of a text, helping to convince people that our chosen position is valid. 

While each of these techniques serves a particular purpose, when it comes to crafting our own stories we should not feel as though we have to include all of them in our writing. Rather, we should pick the "right tool for the job" when it comes to conveying specific information to our readers. 

With time and practice we can learn to master each of these techniques, helping us to tell more meaningful and thought-provoking tales.

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:
Literary Techniques (Non-figurative) Guide