Narrative Techniques and Devices
Literature in English · 50 practice questions
Point of view (omniscient, first person, second person, third person, stream of consciousness, epiphany); characterisation (round, flat, foil, hero, antihero, villain, heroine); language, grammar, diction and clarity of expression.
- Identify the narrative techniques used in each prescribed text.
- Determine an author's narrative style.
- Distinguish between different types of character.
Try a few questions
- Practice question 1
A 'circular' (or frame-return) narrative structure is one in which the story
- A.Proceeds in a strict, single, unbroken chronological line with no return to earlier points
- B.Is told entirely through letters exchanged between characters
- C.Has no ending of any kind
- D.Ends by returning to the same situation, image or moment with which it began, creating a sense of closure or thematic resonance
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D. Ends by returning to the same situation, image or moment with which it began, creating a sense of closure or thematic resonance
A circular narrative ends by returning to the same situation/image it began with, creating closure or resonance.
- Practice question 2
A 'foil' character in narrative fiction is one whose traits are used mainly to
- A.Contrast sharply with another character (often the protagonist), highlighting particular qualities of that character by comparison
- B.Provide the setting and background information only
- C.Narrate the entire story from beginning to end
- D.Be identical to the protagonist in every respect
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A. Contrast sharply with another character (often the protagonist), highlighting particular qualities of that character by comparison
A foil character contrasts with another character (often the protagonist), highlighting their qualities by comparison.
- Practice question 3
A narrative that employs 'multiple narrators' or shifting perspectives allows readers to
- A.Experience the story from only a single, unchanging viewpoint throughout
- B.Avoid learning about any character's inner thoughts entirely
- C.Gain insight into events or characters from more than one perspective, potentially revealing different or conflicting interpretations
- D.Read the story only in strict chronological order
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C. Gain insight into events or characters from more than one perspective, potentially revealing different or conflicting interpretations
Multiple narrators let readers gain insight from more than one perspective, potentially revealing conflicting views.
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