A literary technique is a specific method which authors use to create effective texts. You may recognise some of these techniques from studying poetry and others you may have learned while studying drama. You will not find all of these techniques used in any one particular text. Think of them as an artist's palette - a writer might use a splash of allegory here, or a little touch of assonance there. Literature would be really rather boring without them.
Test your knowledge on literary techniques with this quiz.