what literary technique is quoted speech

By Patrick Carpen: The Greatest Writer On Earth

Quoted or Direct Speech

First Published: 11th of March, 2017

Quoted speech is also called direct speech . We may call it direct speech because it represents speech exactly as it came out of the mouth of the speaker: not put in the writer’s own words. We may call it quoted speech because we are “quoting” what the speaker said exactly as he or she said it.

Quoted or direct speech is marked off by “quotation marks”. Quoted speech or direct speech enlivens writing. Quoted speech also makes writing more entertaining and enjoyable. This is especially true when the characters are speaking a dialect. A dialect is an informal version of an official language familiar to a particular region.

Quoted speech helps with characterization. It helps defines the character of the person who is speaking. Quoted speech help give a greater insight into a character’s personality character traits.

Quoted speech is much more powerful than reported speech or indirect speech .

Make your writing come alive. Use quoted speech , also called direct speech . Below is an excerpt containing quoted or direct speech, taken from the classic novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas.”

“We accept,” I replied.  “Only, I’ll ask your permission, sir, to address a question to you, just one.”

“Go ahead, sir.”

“You said we’d be free aboard your vessel?”

“Completely.”

“Then I would ask what you mean by this freedom.”

“Why, the freedom to come, go, see, and even closely observe everything happening here–except under certain rare circumstances–in short, the freedom we ourselves enjoy, my companions and I.”

It was obvious that we did not understand each other.

“Pardon me, sir,” I went on, “but that’s merely the freedom that every prisoner has, the freedom to pace his cell! That’s not enough for us.”

“Nevertheless, it will have to do!”

“What!  We must give up seeing our homeland, friends, and relatives ever again?”

“Yes, sir.  But giving up that intolerable earthly yoke that some men call freedom is perhaps less painful than you think!”

“By thunder!”  Ned Land shouted.  “I’ll never promise I won’t try getting out of here!”

“I didn’t ask for such a promise, Mr. Land,” the commander replied coldly.

“Sir,” I replied, flaring up in spite of myself, “you’re taking unfair advantage of us!  This is sheer cruelty!”

“No, sir, it’s an act of mercy!  You’re my prisoners of war! I’ve cared for you when, with a single word, I could plunge you back into the ocean depths!  You attacked me!  You’ve just stumbled on a secret no living man must probe, the secret of my entire existence! Do you think I’ll send you back to a world that must know nothing more of me?  Never!  By keeping you on board, it isn’t you whom I care for, it’s me!”

These words indicated that the commander pursued a policy impervious to arguments.

“Then, sir,” I went on, “you give us, quite simply, a choice between life and death?”

“Quite simply.”

“My friends,” I said, “to a question couched in these terms, our answer can be taken for granted.  But no solemn promises bind us to the commander of this vessel.”

“None, sir,” the stranger replied.

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Direct Speech Definition and Examples

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

ThoughtCo / Vin Ganapathy

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

Direct speech is a report of the exact words used by a speaker or writer. Contrast with indirect speech . Also called direct discourse .

Direct speech is usually placed inside quotation marks and accompanied by a reporting verb , signal phrase , or quotative frame.

Examples and Observations

• I went in search of the good beer. Along the way, I caught an intriguing snippet of conversation in the sunroom: “ So if I win at that table, I’ll go on to the World Series, ” said the mom I know as some kind of government contractor. “ World Series? ” you ask. “ Of Poker, ” she replied. “ I went last year. ” Whoa. (Petula Dvorak, "White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Has Nothing on Suburban Fete." The Washington Post , May 3, 2012)
• " How old are you? " the man asked. "The little boy, at the eternal question, looked at the man suspiciously for a minute and then said, " Twenty-six. Eight hunnerd and forty eighty. " His mother lifted her head from the book. " Four ," she said, smiling fondly at the little boy. " Is that so? " the man said politely to the little boy. " Twenty-six. " He nodded his head at the mother across the aisle. " Is that your mother? " The little boy leaned forward to look and then said, " Yes, that's her. " " What's your name? " the man asked. The little boy looked suspicious again. " Mr. Jesus, " he said. (Shirley Jackson, "The Witch." The Lottery and Other Stories . Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1949)

Direct Speech and Indirect Speech

"While direct speech purports to give a verbatim rendition of the words that were spoken, indirect speech is more variable in claiming to represent a faithful report of the content or content and form of the words that were spoken. It is important to note, however, that the question of whether and how faithful a given speech report actually is, is of a quite different order. Both direct and indirect speech are stylistic devices for conveying messages. The former is used as if the words being used were those of another, which are therefore pivoted to a deictic center different from the speech situation of the report. Indirect speech, in contrast, has its deictic center in the report situation and is variable with respect to the extent that faithfulness to the linguistic form of what was said is being claimed." (Florian Coulmas, "Reported Speech: Some General Issues." Direct and Indirect Speech , ed. by F. Coulmas. Walter de Gruyter, 1986)

Direct Speech as Drama

When a speaking event is reported via direct speech forms, it is possible to include many features that dramatize the way in which an utterance was produced. The quotative frame can also include verbs that indicate the speaker's manner of expression (e.g. cry, exclaim, gasp ), voice quality (e.g. mutter, scream, whisper ), and type of emotion (e.g. giggle, laugh, sob ). It can also include adverbs (e.g. angrily, brightly, cautiously, hoarsely, quickly, slowly ) and descriptions of the reported speaker's style and tone of voice, as illustrated in [5].

[5a] "I have some good news," she whispered in a mischievous way. [5b] "What is it?" he snapped immediately. [5c] "Can't you guess?" she giggled. [5d] "Oh, no! Don't tell me you're pregnant" he wailed, with a whining nasal sound in his voice.

The literary style of the examples in [5] is associated with an older tradition. In contemporary novels, there is often no indication, other than separate lines, of which character is speaking, as the direct speech forms are presented like a dramatic script, one after the other. (George Yule, Explaining English Grammar . Oxford University Press, 1998)

Like : Signaling Direct Speech in Conversation

An interesting new way of signaling direct speech has developed among younger English speakers and is spreading from the United States to Britain. This occurs entirely in spoken conversation, rather than in writing.

- . . . Though the construction is new [in 1994] and not yet standard, its meaning is very clear. It seems to be used more often to report thoughts rather than actual speech. (James R. Hurford, Grammar: A Student's Guide . Cambridge University Press, 1994)

Differences in Reported Speech

Even in the days of audio and video recording, there can be surprising differences in direct quotations attributed to the same source. A simple comparison of the same speech event covered in different newspapers can illustrate the problem. When his country was not invited to a meeting of the Commonwealth of Nations in 2003, the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, said the following in a televised speech, according to The New York Times :

"If our sovereignty is what we have to lose to be re-admitted into the Commonwealth," Mr. Mugabe was quoted as saying on Friday, "we will say goodbye to the Commonwealth. And perhaps the time has now come to say so." (Wines 2003)

And the following according to an Associated Press story in the Philadelphia Inquirer .

"If our sovereignty is to be real, then we will say goodbye to the Commonwealth, [sic; second quotation mark missing] Mugabe said in remarks broadcast on state television. "Perhaps the time has come to say so." (Shaw 2003)

Did Mugabe produce both versions of these comments? If he gave only one, which published version is accurate? Do the versions have different sources? Are the differences in the exact wording significant or not? (Jeanne Fahnestock, Rhetorical Style: The Uses of Language in Persuasion . Oxford University Press, 2011)

• Definition and Examples of Plain English
• Dialogue Guide Definition and Examples
• Explicature (Speech Acts)
• Directness in Speech and Writing
• Plain Style in Prose
• Indirect Speech Definition and Examples
• How to Use Indirect Quotations in Writing for Complete Clarity
• What Is Attribution in Writing?
• What is Direct Address in Grammar and Rhetoric?
• Definition and Examples of Hypocrisis in Rhetoric
• Indirect Question: Definition and Examples
• Division: Outlining the Parts of a Speech
• drawl (speech)
• agrammatism
• Definition and Examples of Anti-Language
• Performative Verbs

Literary Techniques

Ai generator.

A literary technique refers to a specific method or approach employed by writers to enhance their storytelling and effectively communicate their message or theme to the reader. These techniques include a wide array of strategies, such as metaphor , which draws a direct comparison between two unrelated subjects without using “like” or “as” to deepen understanding; simile, which uses “like” or “as” to make comparisons clearer; alliteration, which repeats consonant sounds at the beginning of words to add a rhythmic quality; and imagery, which vividly describes scenes to evoke sensory experiences. Writers also use irony to express a contrast between expectation and reality, and symbolism to imbue objects or actions with deeper meanings. These techniques enrich the text, making it more engaging and thought-provoking for the reader.

What Is a Literary Techniques?

A literary technique is a special way writers use words to make their stories more interesting and meaningful. These techniques help make the writing more lively and can help you picture scenes, feel emotions, and understand ideas better. Examples include metaphors, which compare two different things to show what they have in common; similes, which do the same thing but use “like” or “as”; and alliteration , where words starting with the same sound are placed close together. There are also techniques like imagery, which creates vivid pictures in your mind, and symbolism, where something stands for a bigger idea. Writers use these tools to make their stories and messages clearer and more enjoyable to read.

List of Literary Techniques

Literary techniques are tools that authors use to convey deeper meanings and enhance their storytelling.

Here are 20 common techniques with detailed explanations:

1. Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. For example, saying “ time is a thief” suggests time can steal moments from us, just like a thief.

A simile compares two different things to illustrate a point or clarify an idea, using words like “as” or “like.” For instance, “Her smile is as bright as the sun” helps readers visualize the intensity and warmth of her smile.

3. Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in multiple words close together. It is often used to create rhythm and mood. An example is “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

4. Personification

Personification involves giving human traits, ambitions, or feelings to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. This can make descriptions more vivid, as in “the wind howled in the night.”

Imagery uses descriptive language to create pictures in the mind of the reader. It appeals to the sensory experience to make the reader feel as if they are part of the scene, e.g., “The lake was a glassy expanse, reflecting the clear blues of the sky.”

Irony is a broad term that encompasses three types: verbal irony (saying the opposite of what one means), dramatic irony (when the audience knows something that the characters do not), and situational irony (when the opposite of what is expected occurs). It often produces a surprise or humor.

7. Symbolism

Symbolism uses symbols, objects, or events to represent bigger ideas or concepts. For instance, a chain can symbolize imprisonment or restriction.

8. Hyperbole

Hyperbole involves exaggerated words or statements not meant to be taken literally, used for the sake of emphasis, humor, or dramatic effect, like “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

9. Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing hints at future events or outcomes in a story. This technique builds suspense and prepares the reader for what is coming next, such as mentioning storm clouds as a hint of a future dramatic event.

10. Flashback

A flashback interrupts the normal chronological flow of a story to narrate an event that happened earlier. This provides background or context to the current events.

11. Oxymoron

An oxymoron combines two contradictory terms in a brief phrase, such as “jumbo shrimp” or “deafening silence.” It is used to present a paradox for reflective or humorous effect.

12. Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes. Such as “buzz,” “whisper,” or “clang,” helping to bring a scene to life with sound.

13. Allegory

An allegory is a narrative technique in which characters and events represent broader themes and concepts. Often used to teach moral lessons or critique social institutions.

14. Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences for rhetorical or poetic effect. Example: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds…”

15. Epiphany

An epiphany is a moment of sudden revelation or insight that a character experiences. This is often a turning point in the story that alters the character’s view.

16. Euphemism

A euphemism is a polite, indirect expression that replaces words and phrases considered harsh or impolite, or which suggest something unpleasant. For example, “passed away” instead of “died.”

A pun is a play on words in which a humorous effect is produced by using a word that suggests two or more meanings or by exploiting similar sounding words having different meanings. Humorous exploits of this kind are common in literature.

18. Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition places two elements close together to present a comparison or contrast. For example, placing a description of a calm village next to a chaotic city scene highlights the differences between the two.

A motif is a recurring symbol which takes on a figurative meaning. This is often a critical element of the themes of the work, such as repeated references to darkness and light.

20. Assonance

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. It is used to reinforce the meanings of words or to set the mood. Example: “The early bird catches the worm.”

Elements of Literary Techniques

Literary techniques are the structures within language that writers use to effectively convey their messages and entertain their audiences. Here are some fundamental elements of literary techniques that are crucial to crafting compelling narratives and expressive poetry:

Diction refers to the choice of words and style of expression that an author uses. This includes the vocabulary used, the formality of the language, and the way individual sentences are constructed. Diction can influence the tone and mood of a piece and contribute to its overall impact on the reader.

Syntax is the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences. It dictates how words from different parts of speech are put together in order to convey a complete thought. Varying syntax can affect the pace of the text and the readability, thereby influencing the reader’s engagement and interpretation.

Tone is the attitude or approach that the author takes towards the theme of the message. Tone can be serious, humorous, sarcastic, ironic, satirical, solemn, or objective, among others. The tone is conveyed through the choice of words and details.

4. Point of View

Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told. The main points of view used in literature are first person, second person, and third person, which can be further divided into third person omniscient, limited, or objective. Each point of view offers different advantages and affects how much the reader knows about the characters and events in the story.

The setting is where and when the story takes place. It includes the geographical location, the time period, the socio-economic backdrop, and the specific environment of the story. The setting can create the mood and influence the characters and the plot.

The theme is the underlying message or the big idea of a story. It is a universal concept that the text explores, such as love, war, betrayal, loyalty, or justice. Themes are usually implied rather than explicitly stated, and they offer deeper insights into the human condition.

7. Characterization

Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. This can be done directly through the narrative or indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and speech of the character. Effective characterization is crucial as it helps readers relate to the characters and understand their motivations.

The plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. It includes the conflict, the climax, and the resolution. The plot drives the narrative forward and is a crucial element in keeping the reader engaged.

9. Conflict

Conflict is a key element of the plot and involves any struggle between opposing forces. The main types of conflict include man versus man, man versus nature, man versus society, and man versus self. Conflict is essential as it creates tension and interest in the story.

10. Imagery

Imagery involves the use of descriptive language to create visual representations of actions, objects, and ideas. This helps the reader to visualize what the author wants to convey, making the text more memorable and engaging.

11. Symbolism

Symbolism uses symbols, objects, or actions that signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbols help to convey complex ideas and add layers of meaning to the narrative.

When Do We Use Literary Techniques

Literary techniques are employed in writing and speech to enhance expression, convey complex ideas, and engage audiences more deeply. Here are some key situations when these techniques are particularly useful:

1. To Create Vivid Imagery

When authors want to paint a vivid picture in the minds of their readers, they use techniques like imagery , simile , and metaphor . These tools help describe scenes and settings in ways that appeal to the senses, making the reader feel as if they are part of the story.

2. To Emphasize a Point

Techniques such as hyperbole (exaggeration for effect) and repetition are useful when an author wants to emphasize a particular point or emotion. These techniques make the idea stand out and ensure it catches the reader’s attention.

3. To Add Depth to Characters

Personification and dialogue help in fleshing out characters, making them more relatable and multidimensional. By giving objects or abstract concepts human characteristics, or by showcasing interactions through dialogue, writers can convey emotions and motivations more effectively.

4. To Enhance the Plot

Foreshadowing and flashbacks are techniques used to build suspense or provide background information that enhances the story. Foreshadowing hints at what will come later, adding tension and keeping readers interested, while flashbacks provide context to the current events, enriching the reader’s understanding of the plot and characters.

5. To Create Irony

Irony is a powerful tool used to add humor or critical depth to a narrative. It involves saying one thing but meaning another, or presenting a situation where the outcome is contrary to what one would expect. Irony can be used to criticize societal norms, highlight issues, or simply add a layer of complexity to the story.

6. To Convey Themes

Symbolism and motifs are often used to subtly convey broader themes and messages throughout a piece of literature. By embedding symbols that represent larger concepts, writers can communicate complex themes in a digestible and often impactful way.

7. To Improve Rhythm and Flow

Alliteration , assonance , and onomatopoeia are techniques that enhance the musicality of the prose or poetry. These tools help in creating a rhythm that improves the flow of reading, making the text more enjoyable and memorable.

8. To Engage the Reader’s Intellect

Puns , analogies , and paradoxes engage the reader’s thought processes and encourage deeper consideration of the text. These techniques challenge the reader to think beyond the surface and appreciate the nuances of language and argument.

9. To Reflect Cultural or Historical Contexts

Authors use specific language, references, or established literary conventions to ground their work in a particular time period or cultural context. This helps the reader understand the broader social and historical influences that shape the characters’ actions and the plot’s development.

Literary Techniques in Poetry

Literary techniques in poetry are used to evoke emotions, create rhythm, and enhance the imagery and meaning of the poem. Here are some common literary techniques used in poetry, along with examples to illustrate each:

A metaphor makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating one thing is another, enhancing the imagery and suggesting deeper meanings.

• Example: In Sylvia Plath’s poem “Daddy,” she writes, “I have always been scared of you, / With your Luftwaffe, your gobbledygoo.” Here, her father is metaphorically compared to a Nazi, conveying her fear and complex feelings.

Similes compare two different things using “like” or “as,” helping to make the description more vivid and understandable.

• Example: In “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns, “O my Luve is like a red, red rose,” uses a simile to express the deep, fresh love the speaker feels.

Alliteration involves the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a line or verse. This can create a musical effect, making the poem more memorable.

• Example: “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew,” from “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Personification gives human characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas, making the poem more relatable and vivid.

• Example: In “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson, death is personified as a kind gentleman taking the speaker on a carriage ride.

Imagery uses descriptive language to create pictures in the reader’s mind, appealing to the senses.

• Example: In “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot, “The chair she sat in, like a burnished throne,” evokes visual and tactile sensations that enhance the grandeur and decay themes.

6. Assonance

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words close to each other. This can enhance the mood and the musical quality of the poem.

• Example: “Hear the mellow wedding bells” by Edgar Allan Poe features assonance with the repetition of the “e” sound, contributing to a soft, melodic quality.

7. Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia uses words that mimic the sounds they describe, making the description more expressive and effective.

• Example: In “The Bells” by Edgar Allan Poe, “the tinkling of the bells” effectively conveys the light, clear sound of small bells.

Hyperbole involves deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

• Example: In “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell, “Love you ten years before the Flood,” exaggerates to emphasize the enormity and timelessness of his love.

Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounding words occurring at the end of lines in poems or songs, which can create a rhythm and facilitate memorability.

• Example: “Whose woods these are I think I know. / His house is in the village, though;” from “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost.

10. Repetition

Repetition involves repeating the same words or phrases to make an idea clearer and more memorable.

• Example: In “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas, the repetition of “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” emphasizes the poem’s theme of fighting against death.

Literary Techniques in Hamlet

William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is renowned for its complex storytelling and rich use of literary techniques that deepen the narrative and enhance thematic expressions. Here are some key literary techniques used in “Hamlet,” along with examples to illustrate each:

Literary Techniques Examples in literature

Literary techniques are the tools that writers use to craft their narratives and convey messages more effectively. Below are ten common literary techniques, each accompanied by an example from literature, demonstrating how these devices can be skillfully employed:

1. Foreshadowing

Example: In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the prologue outlines the entire plot, including the tragic deaths of the main characters, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

2. Metaphor

Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus says, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,” using the bird as a metaphor for innocent people who should not be harmed.

Example: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald uses the simile “as quiet as a mouse” to describe the secretive and cautious nature of Jay Gatsby’s business operations.

4. Alliteration

Example: In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the phrase “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew,” uses alliteration to enhance the rhythmic and lyrical quality of the poem.

5. Personification

Example: In 1984 by George Orwell, Big Brother is personified throughout the novel, despite never appearing in person. This personification represents the oppressive power and surveillance of the totalitarian regime.

6. Hyperbole

Example: In A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift, Swift uses hyperbole to suggest that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling their children as food to rich gentlemen and ladies.

Example: In The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, there is dramatic irony when the main character, Mrs. Mallard, dies from the shock of seeing her husband alive, whom she thought was dead, just after she felt joyful about her newfound freedom.

8. Symbolism

Example: In The Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the conch shell symbolizes law, order, and civilization among the boys stranded on the island.

9. Allegory

Example: In Animal Farm by George Orwell, the farm and its inhabitants serve as an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the early Soviet Union, with characters representing historical figures such as Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky.

10. Onomatopoeia

Example: In The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, words like “crash”, “bang”, and “smash” are used to mimic the sounds associated with the actions they describe, enhancing the vividness of the battle scenes.

Literary Techniques Examples in Sentences

• Example: “The world is a stage where everyone must play their part.”
• Example: “Her smile is as bright as the sun.”
• Example: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
• Example: “Opportunity knocked on his door.”

5. Hyperbole

• Example: “I could sleep for a year.”
• Example: “He’s as helpful as a screen door on a submarine.”
• Example: “In the poem, the journey up the mountain symbolizes life’s challenges.”

8. Onomatopoeia

• Example: “The bacon sizzled in the pan.”

9. Oxymoron

• Example: “She greeted him with a deafening silence.”

10. Anaphora

• Example: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields.”

Literary Elements vs. Literary Techniques

What is the most common Literary Technique?

Most Common Literary Technique: Symbolism is widely used across genres for its powerful ability to convey deeper meanings.

What are Literary Techniques in a text?

Literary Techniques: Tools like metaphor, irony, and alliteration that enhance text’s impact and meaning.

What Literary Technique is used in short sentences?

Technique in Short Sentences: Ellipsis effectively creates suspense or impact through brevity.

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