Literary Techniques or devices- refers to specific methods writers employ in their work to convey

messages.

 Literary Techniques or devices when examining or analyzing a text or simply evaluation a

text artistic value.
 Keep in mind that Literary Techniques or devices are different from the literary elements.
literary elements are essential to a narrative as writers make use of these component to
serve as the structure of and to develop a story. These elements refer to the plot, setting,
character, point of view, and theme among others.

Here are some literary techniques that writer make use of in their work:

 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 a paragraph, making it easier to memorize or remember. Anaphora is also
use for emphasis or to stir emotions among the audience.
 Antihero- is a fictional character who does not possess the traits, such as pride and valor,
expected of a hero. Often, Antihero are portrayed as foolish and usually find themselves
in mischief.
 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 words. Writers
utilize cliff-hanger in their works to keep the readers focused and interested as to what
will happen next.
 Justaposition- is a technique authors use in their works to compare two different things,
or two contrasting ideas to be able to emphasize their differences, such as good and evil,
life and death, truth, and lies among others. This technique is also used to develop a
character, resolve a conflict or clarify various concepts.

Biographical Context

 A biographical context refers to the author’s life and the factors that influence and
shaped it, such as social, political and economic condition during his or her time.
This also includes his or her education background, religion, ethnicity, among
others.
 In analyzing a text based on its biographical context, you should consider not only
how the factors mentioned earlier have caused and impact to the author, but also
how these factors were reflected in, and have helped shape, his or her works.
 It is important to take into consideration the literary background of the author.
You must search about who and which the author reads as these may have also
influenced him or her and his or her works.

However, one should not mistake a biographical analysis from a biography.

Remember that when you analyze a text based on the biographical context, you
gather information about the author’s life as it can help you understand some
difficult concepts or extra profound meanings in an author’s work. Moreover, a
biographical analysis helps you understand the relationship of the author’s and
his or her work, not produce a detailed account of his or her life-thus, a biography.
Literature aside from being form of expression, can be based on real or
orchestrated events. These event included by the author in his or her works are
sometimes different from what really transferred in real life. Sometimes these
events are a reimagination, exaggeration, or wishful thinking.

Example:
Manuel E. Arguilla’s “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” is a story told
through BaLDO’S, Leon’s brother, point of view. He narrated how Leon brought
his soo-to-be wife, in MARIA, in their hometown (Nagrebcan, La Union) to meet
his family. To analyze this story, let us first consider some facts about Arquilla:

 Arquilla was born on June 17,1911 in Bauang, La Union to Crisanta

Arguilla and Margaita Estabillo.
 He was the fourth child and his family owned a small piece of land
in their town.
 He was married to Lydia Villanueva, who was from Ermita, Manila.