GCSE English Literature: Literary Techniques Revision

Literary Techniques is a core part of GCSE English Literature. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

MotifA recurring image, idea or symbol with thematic weight

SymbolismAn object that stands for an abstract idea

JuxtapositionPlacing two contrasting ideas close together

ForeshadowingA hint of an event to come later in the text

MicrocosmA small group standing in for a whole society

SoliloquyA speech revealing a character's private thoughts

Pathetic fallacyWeather mirroring a character's emotional state

SibilanceRepeated s/sh sounds creating hiss or whisper

Dramatic ironyWhen the audience knows more than a character

AnachronismAn object placed in the wrong historical era

ZoomorphismGiving a human character animal qualities

OmniscientAn all-knowing narrator who sees every character's mind

DidacticIntended to teach a moral or political lesson

PolemicalStrongly arguing against an opposing view

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

What does analysing a novel involve?✗ Summarising the plot of the story. ✓ Examining how the writer uses character, structure, language and themes.

Is the narrator always honest and the same as the author?✗ Yes, the narrator always tells the truth and is the author. ✓ No — narrators can be unreliable and are distinct from the author.

Practise Literary Techniques — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

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Literary Techniques

Key concepts

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Literary Techniques — free games

More GCSE English Literature topics