LITERARY TECHNIQUES

Literary Techniques
 refer to specific methods writers employ in their works to
convey messages. Readers, on the other hand, look for
several literary techniques when examining or analyzing a
text or simply evaluating a text’s artistic value.
 Keep in mind that literary techniques or devices are
different from literary elements. Literary elements are
essential to a narrative as writers make use of these
components to serve as the structure of and to develop a
story. These elements refer to the plot, setting, characters,
point of view, and theme, among others.
 Anaphora
 sometimes called epanaphora, refers to the
repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a
sentence to create an artistic or heightened effect.
 It adds rhythm to a particular line or paragraph,
making it easier to memorize or remember.
 Anaphora is also used for emphasis or to stir
emotions among the audience.
Example:
Hamlet (An Excerpt)
By William Shakespeare
'Tis a fault to heaven,
A fault against the dead, a fault to nature
To reason most absurd. . . .
Antihero
An antihero is a fictional character who does not possess the traits, such as pride
and valor, expected of a hero. Often, antiheroes are portrayed as foolish and
usually find themselves in mischief.
Example:
 Don Quixote (An Excerpt)
By Miguel Cervantes
 One of those, however, that stood near him, fancying he was mocking them,
lifted up a long staff he had in his hand and smote him such a blow with it that
Sancho dropped helpless to the ground. Don Quixote, seeing him so roughly
handled, attacked the man who had struck him lance in hand, but so many
thrust themselves between them that he could not avenge him. Far from it,
finding a shower of stones rained upon him, and crossbows and muskets
unnumbered levelled at him, he wheeled Rocinante round and, as fast as his
best gallop could take him, fled from the midst of them, commending himself to
God with all his heart to deliver him out of this peril, in dread every step of some
ball coming in at his back and coming out at his breast, and every minute
drawing his breath to see whether it had gone from him.
Cliff-hanger is a literary technique used by the
author to arouse curiosity among readers by ending
a chapter or story abruptly. Most of the time, the
characters are confronted with a difficult or an
unsettling situation. Instead of providing a resolution,
the author would end it. Furthermore, this technique
is often found in serialized works. Writers utilize cliff-
hangers in their works to keep the readers focused
and interested as to what will happen next.