Literary Techniques Trivia Quiz

Answer: Simile

Similes are a type of metaphorical language which make comparisons between two basically unlike things, normally using the words "like" or "as" to make the comparison. In this example, the sun is being compared to a large ball of butter.

Answer: Personification

Personification is a literary device employed to give human characteristics to non-human things. You can clearly see in this example that walls cannot really stare at people, and thus they are given that characteristic using personification.

Answer: Hyperbole

A hyperbole is usually an overstatement used to more easily get a point across to someone. In this example, whoever this person is speaking will (almost certainly) not really die if they do not eat a papaya everyday, but they are using hyperbole to get across the point that they love that papaya.

Answer: Metaphor

A metaphor is one of the most general types of literary techniques, branching off into several more specific types. But in its purest form, it is basically a comparison between two unlike things (usually inanimate things-when those come into play, similes and personification are more often used).

In this example, roads and ribbons of moonlights are two quite unlike things, rendering this one a metaphor.

Answer: Oxymoron

An oxymoron combines two completely opposite things into one phrase. In this example, a fool is not very often wise; therefore, it is an oxymoronic expression.

Answer: Inference

Inference is a device used by you, the reader, based on evidence that the author has provided to make an intelligent conclusion about certain events. Most of the time the man with the bloody knife will be the murderer, as demonstrated in the example.

Answer: Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony is a device used by authors to reveal knowledge to the audience that some characters may be in the dark about. In the above example, Romeo reacts by killing himself since he believes Juliet is dead, although we the audience know that Juliet is not really dead. Thus a certain effect is achieved upon us.

Answer: Verbal Irony

Verbal irony is often a spoken form of irony in literature used when a character means the exact opposite of what he is saying. This is often confused with sarcasm; while certain aspects of verbal irony can be sarcastic, sarcasm can often be used to imply something else, instead of just the opposite. Sarcasm is often used more than anything to be mean, as it comes from a Greek word for "to tear flesh".

Answer: Oxymoron

Once again, "flaming ice" forces together two opposites, therefore it is an oxymoron.

Answer: Paradox

A paradox is a very confusing, complex, and often difficult to identify literary device. It is usually a statement that contradicts itself, but does seem to hold some truth. It is sometimes known as "the long oxymoron", but paradoxes hold truer to full statements.

Answer: Simile

Similes again are comparisons between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as". In this case, Bob's bravery is being compared to that of a lion.

Answer: foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a very commonly used device that gives hints about future events in the story before they happen. Foreshadowing can be very clear and specific or very subtle. In this instance, the narrator appears to be giving a hint that perhaps he will dance with the real devil in his ballroom dancing career.

Answer: Irony of the Situation

Irony of the situation is a specific type of irony that is used to put an unexpected plot twist. Very often it is used at the end of stories so that the reader will be surprised by the ending.

Answer: Inversion

Inversion, also known as an anastrophe, is a type of literary technique that moves word order around so that a greater effect is achieved. In this example, "Up went the bacon strips" has a much better effect than "The bacon strips went up."

Answer: Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a literary device employed where one part represents the whole. In this example, "a dozen tight fists" represents whoever is pounding the criminal's collar bone, presumably the police.