Questions
2 questions per paper
Difficulty
Medium
Importance
Essential for conceptual clarity in English Literature sections
Overview
Literary devices and basic criticism are fundamental components of English language literature papers in exams like CTET, DSSSB, and KVS. Mastering these allows aspirants to decode poetic intent and stylistic choices, ensuring they can identify the underlying structure of a text quickly. You must focus on distinguishing between similar-sounding figures of speech and identifying the core intent behind classic critical movements.
Figures of Speech: Comparison and Contrast
These are stylistic tools used to add depth, rhythm, or imagery to language. Identifying these is a primary task in reading comprehension sections of competitive exams.
- Simile: Uses 'like' or 'as' for explicit comparison.
- Metaphor: Direct identification without 'like' or 'as'.
- Personification: Giving human traits to inanimate objects.
- Hyperbole: Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis.
- Oxymoron: Two contradictory terms placed side-by-side.
Sound-Based Literary Devices
These devices rely on the auditory quality of words to create a specific atmosphere or emphasize the musicality of a poem.
- Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds.
- Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words.
- Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate the natural sound of things.
- Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds at the end or middle of words.
Fundamental Literary Criticism Terms
Aspirants need to understand the structural and critical frameworks used to analyze literary works, which often appear in higher-level teaching exams.
- Catharsis: The purging of emotions through art.
- Hamartia: The fatal flaw of a tragic hero.
- Hubris: Excessive pride leading to a downfall.
- Stream of Consciousness: Narrative style capturing erratic thought processes.
- Irony: Discrepancy between appearance and reality.
Exam Tip
When analyzing a figure of speech in an exam, look for the 'functional intent'—ask yourself if the author is exaggerating, comparing, or mimicking a sound to achieve a specific effect.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Alliteration (consonant sounds at the start) with Consonance (consonant sounds anywhere in the word).
- Misidentifying Metaphor as Personification when comparing non-human objects to human qualities.
- Ignoring context when identifying irony, often mistaking simple sarcasm for dramatic irony.
More Revision Notes
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