Narrative Techniques & other Literary Devices

Mr. Ruiz & Ms. Cybulski

Allusion

What is it?

A figure of speech that makes reference things outside of the

literary work.

Such as…

Biblical Allusions

For Example :

“I thought Mary was a sincere friend, until I found out she ratted me out for skipping,

showing what a Judas she was. “

A reference to anything, or anyone who pertains to the Bible, in a literary work.

Historical Allusions

For Example :

“School should be renamed Auschwitz.”

A reference in a literary work pertaining to historical events or people.

Dante's Inferno

Dante's guide through his journey is a famous Roman poet by the name of Virgil

Literary Allusion

For Example :

“Jane walked through the Mall, looking in awe at all the stores, like every piece of clothing were giant mushrooms, and talking animals.

She stayed so long that when her mother came to pick her up she thought she said “Off with

her head!” “

A reference to other literary works.

White Rabbit

...”And if you go chasing rabbitsAnd you know you're going to fall

Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillarHas given you the call

To call Alice, when she was just small...”

-Jefferson White

Cultural Allusion

For example :

“ Krista sang like a God. She was the missing member of The Supremes.“

A reference that alludes to cultural influence or famous people.

Till the fat lady sings!

A frequent term used in society, which alludes back to the day when Opera singers where usually over weight women, who where the main role, and usually sang the last song.

Attitude

This is the way a speaker or author feels about a certain situation.

For Example :

The speaker may be punished by his parents for bad grades so his attitude would be annoyed…

Think... How does a situation make you feel.BUT! You haven't expressed those feelings.

Tone

The way the speaker or author expresses his attitude and how he feels about a certain

situation.

For Example:

When the speaker is punished for getting bad grades he expresses it in a bitter tone.

So say you feel annoyed by something...You would express it with anger, maybe

screaming!

Mood

The atmosphere created by the setting.

For Example:

The mood created between the parent and the child would be hostile from him getting bad

grades and getting punished.

So if your angry with everyone...wouldn't it create a hostile atmosphere? YES!

That is what mood is, Atmosphere!

Reliability

How dependable is the work.If the author / characters are bias.

- Think, does the speaker have feelings toward any other character?

Dont trust a characters description of another characters if they hate them, it would obliviously

would be a horrid description

The best speaker to rely on is

Third Person Omniscient!

Repetition

Repeating a word or a phrase for emphasis.

They where clearly listening to something...

We listened to the gun fire beyond the walls. We listened to the walls being hit by shrapnel, ricochets, and blind fire, at least it's what I thought it could of been. We listened to the creaking the windows made when they opened and shut due to the wind from the outside. We listened to the cries of our men, and the prayers they made to their gods. We listened, but said nothing.

Imagery

Making images and pictures through diction, and other figurative devices.

Choice of Details

Details are items that make up a larger story or picture.The detail that Othello was black and at higher rank than Iago cause the main conflict in

the story.

The perspective the story is being told in.

Point of View

First Person

-Limited access to other characters

-Usually another character-Key words : “I” , “We”, “Us”

Third Person

- Can be omniscient or limited- Key words “ He”,

“She”,”They”...

Dialogue

Character interaction with or through conversation.

Bill: Bob! Wait! Please!

Bob : Ugh! Everyone says your a home schooled, jungle freak, who is a less hot version of me.

Flashback

Going back in time during a present situation for different purposes.

Foreshadow

A subtle reference to whats to come.

Apostrophe

Addressing or talking to a lifeless object, almost expecting it to reply.

For Example:“Oh homework, why must you be so painful, let

me have a social life!”

Think of a trophy (apostrophe), they usually have a little person on the top doing something. It's

lifeless but its in action.

Aside

A dramatic device where the character speaks to the

audience.

Act II Scene II

Juliet.O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name;Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo.[Aside.] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

Stereotypes

Cliched or predictable situations and situations.

Turning Points

-Point of View is changed-Climax reaches its highest tension

For Example:A turning point in The Lion King is when Mufasa

dies.

Internal MonologueThinking in words, or inner speech.Could be a verbal stream of

conscious.For Example:

Someone could be thinking “Wow what is she wearing?!” but could

tell that person “What a cute skirt!”

Soliloquy

A device where a character talks to himself, sharing with the audience his feelings without any other character

knowing.

Hamlet!

Manipulation of Time

When an author changes the time in which characters are at for emphasis of different

situations.

For example:

-Foreshadowing-Flashback

In medias Res

Meaning “In the middle of things.”When a story begins in the middle or at the end,

rather than the beginning.

For Example:A hero can wake up in the middle of a battle, torn

and hurt, but that's where we started reading, we have no clue how he got there!