Analogy:
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. The comparison is often between two things in which the complex is explained in terms of the simple, or something unfamiliar is associated with something more familiar. The comparison suggests that if two things are alike in certain respects, they will probably be alike in other ways as well. Analogies can make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging. They must be used effectively to persuade, but logically they prove nothing

Example:
"Dumb gorgeous people should not be allowed to use literature when competing in the pick-up pool. It's like bald people wearing hats." - Matt McGrath from Broken Hearts Club


Explanation:
This analogy compares one thing with something that it shouldn't be associated with, and compares this one thing with another. In this case, dumb gorgeous girls and literature, compared with bald people and hats. This analogy allows the reader to see that dumb gorgeous people should not be allowed to use literature. The analogy allows you to clearly see this because everyone knows bald people wearing hats is ridiculous, they are trying to cover up their real self.  

Ambiguity:
The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage. 

Example:
  "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" -The Kendalls


Explanation:
The title of the song "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" is ambiguous, in a religious way. Committing a sin keeps us out of heaven, but it could also mean that committing a sin will bring heaven (pleasure). This is found out through the lyrics of the song. This is used because you see that the title/song has a double meaning, which is what the writer wanted.  

Asyndeton:
Commas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, asyndeton speeds up the flow of the sentence.

Example:
"Anyway, like I was saying, shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That--that's about it."
(Bubba in Forrest Gump, 1994)


Explanation:
Asyndeton is seen in this every time Bubba says the type of shrimp. He does this in order to make the  sentence choppy, upbeat and fast, without any pauses or hesitations. This helps set the character and how he acts, all because of the comma usage; also known as asyndeton. Bubba crams it all in as fast as he can, which shows the enthusiasm and eager tone that Bubba has. 

Allusion: 
A direct or indirect reference to something which is commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical. 

Example:
"Pearl of great price" -Scarlet Letter 


Explanation: 
Pearl is the name of Hester's daughter. Hawthorne uses this as her name because it is an allusion to the gospel of Matthew: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." This explains it all, Hawthorne uses this allusion in his novel to refer to pearl as the jewel that Hester won, but through a great price (her scarlet letter), just like in the gospel of Matthew. Hawthorne uses biblical allusions in this novel because it is relevant for that time period. 

Anecdote:
a brief recounting of a relevant episode, frequently personal or biographical. Anecdotes are often inserted into fiction or nonfiction as a way of developing a point or injecting humor


Example:
"Six decades ago in this enchanting hideaway, less than a mile downstream from where the Mormon steps meets the gulch, twenty-year-old Everett Ruess carved his nom de plume into the canyon wall below a panel of Anasazi pictographs, and he did so again in the doorway of a small masonry structure built by the Anasazi for storing grain. "NEMO 1934," he scrawled, no doubt moved by the same impulse that compelled Chris McCandless to inscribe "Alexander Supertramp/May 1992" on the wall of the Sushana bus."
-Into The Wild, Jon Krakaurer



Explanation:
Krakauer uses different anecdotes in his telling of the true story of Christopher McCandless. His main purpose of doing this is to provide valuable perspective to the reader's understanding of Chris McCandless and why he thought wealth/happiness was not from money, but from the spirit. This anecdote describes a man who did the same thing, this helps the reader get more information and helps them relate the two stories. Another purpose of this is to give more evidence and examples of the themes of rebellious youth, and finding joy and happiness through nature.

In Medias Res:
beginning a narrative in the middle of the action. Often this technique will be accompanied by flashback or dialogue that explains what has gone before. (May be used in the narrative essay)


Example:
 "He saw the townlands and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home.
But not by will nor valor could he save them, for their own recklessness destroyed them all." -The Odyssey


Explanation:
The opening lines of the Odyssey start in the middle of a small amount of action. It is not violent, but is in the middle of a scene, that we have no knowledge about. The reader has to wonder why they have been at sea for a long time, and why they are fighting to stay alive due to their own recklessness. Starting a scene in the middle of  "action" allows the reader to foreshadow and suspect what will happen later in the novel, which is what the author wants. It builds suspense and mystery, and makes the reader want to read more. Homer also does this so he can create flashbacks later on in the novel, which makes it more dramatic. 

Alliteration: 
The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, and/or supply a musical sound.


Example: 

Rain

Rain races onto the porch
Hitting hard like
Rockets rushing in a race to the glass.
Rattling rain, rattling the window panes.
The droplets dance daintily
Until they cleverly connect in
A pool of promise for a rainbow.

                         -Poetry by Natasha Niemi

Explanation: 
Alliteration gives poetry a unique sound, emphasizing on specific phrases and represent the action that is taking place. In the example the alliteration helps the reader see the action of the rain, by the constant repetition of alliteration in the description of the rain. The alliteration creates imagery in the readers mind, and also lets them see the tone and mood of the poem. Alliteration is useful in helping create a lyrical tone, and emphasize the action and imagery throughout the poem.