Resonance methods:
*Figurative Language: The use of words themselves to create emotional associations.
*Symbols: Generally, concrete or real world objects that have abstract, emotional associations. Some symbols have associations that are widely known by a particular cultural or social group and are known as Public Symbols (i.e. eagle as a symbol of the U.S.). Other symbols are unique creations of writers and are only relevant inside the work and are called Private Symbols.
*Metaphor: A comparison of widely dissimilar things intended to convey meaning. The comparison involves a Tenor, or the subject being discussed, and a Vehicle, or the analogy, the comparison "carrying" the meaning.
Ex: "My heart is a singing bird" Tenor=heart Vehicle=singing bird "The professor growled at the students." Tenor=professor Vehicle=growled
*Simile: A more limited metaphor that uses "like" or "as." Because the comparison is not exact ("My heart is like a singing bird"), the simile is more limiting.
Overstatement or Understatement: Exaggerations that either over-represent or under-represent the subject being discussed. Ex: " Florida is one big beach (or swamp)" "The gentle breeze of a hurricane."
*Irony: A contrast between actions or speech and intentions. The two main types of irony areVerbal and Dramatic.
Verbal Irony: This is a contrast between what is stated and what is suggested. If the contrast is an exaggeration, it is known as overstatement, "This mountain of man." The opposite of exaggeration is understatement, as calling a plane crash an "unscheduled landing." A particular form of irony that is crude and aggressive is sarcasm.
Dramatic Irony: A situation that stands in contrast to what the character thinks. The readers know the truth; the characters do not. This is often used to increase tension and suspense. An example from a suspense film would be when the protagonist mentions to a partner, "I wish I could get my hands on that terrorist," and that terrorist is walking the opposite direction, just out of arm's reach.
Allegory: a narrative wherein abstractions are made concrete for the purpose of communicating a moral
Satire: a narrative where irony and exaggeration are used for a humorous portrayal.
Metonymy: Describing or naming one thing by something similar. Meaning is inferred. Ex: "The fat lady sings."
Synecdoche: A part of something substituted for the whole. Meaning is inferred by the specific part used. Ex: "A nice set of wheels."
Personification: Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Ex: "The cruel hand of Fate." "A one-armed bandit."
Synaesthesia: One feeling or perception described with words usually used for a totally different or opposite feeling or perception. Ex: "The sky smelled blue." "The soft hum of fog."
Pun: Elaborate word play using similar sounds or concepts.
Oxymoron: Meaning established by the association of incongruous or contradictory words. Ex: "Military Intelligence" "Silent scream" "Cafeteria food"
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