📚 Year 7 SQA English Literature: Quick Reference Guide to Literary Terms and Techniques | Year 7 SQA 英语文学：文学术语与技巧速查手册
In Year 7 English Literature, you will meet many special words and ideas that help us talk about stories, poems and plays. Think of this guide as your 'formula sheet' – just like in maths, but for understanding how writers create effects. Instead of equations, we have techniques such as similes, metaphors and rhyme. Each term is explained simply, with examples, so you can quickly look up what you need and feel more confident when discussing a text.
在七年级英语文学中，你会遇到许多帮助我们谈论故事、诗歌和戏剧的特殊词语与概念。请把这本手册当作你的“公式表”——就像数学公式一样，不过这些“公式”用来理解作家如何创造效果。我们用技巧来代替方程式，比如明喻、隐喻和押韵。每个术语都用简单的语言加以解释，并配有例子，让你能够快速查阅所需内容，在讨论文本时更加自信。
1. What is a Simile? | 什么是明喻？
A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'. It helps the reader picture something more vividly by linking it to a familiar image.
明喻是用“像”或“如同”把两个不同事物进行比较。它通过将描写对象与读者熟悉的形象联系起来，让画面更生动。
For example, 'Her eyes sparkled like diamonds' compares eyes to diamonds to suggest brightness. 'As brave as a lion' uses 'as' to compare courage to a lion's well-known bravery.
例如，“她的眼睛像钻石一样闪闪发光”把眼睛比作钻石，暗示明亮。“像狮子一样勇敢”用“如同”将勇气与狮子众所周知的勇敢相比较。
- Formula: A is like/as B → creates a vivid image.
- 公式：A 像 / 如同 B → 营造生动意象。
2. Understanding Metaphor | 理解隐喻
A metaphor is a direct comparison between two things without using 'like' or 'as'. It says that one thing is another, which can create a stronger or more surprising effect than a simile.
隐喻是直接比较两个事物，不使用“像”或“如同”。它说一个事物就是另一个事物，往往能产生比明喻更强烈或更出人意料的效果。
For instance, 'The classroom was a zoo' does not literally mean there were animals; it suggests noise and disorder. 'Time is a thief' implies that time steals moments from our lives.
例如，“教室是个动物园”并不是说真有动物，而是暗示吵闹与混乱。“时间是贼”意味着时间偷走了我们生命中的时光。
- Formula: A is B → is not literally true, but reveals a deeper meaning.
- 公式：A 是 B → 并非字面真实，但揭示更深含义。
3. Personification in Poetry and Prose | 诗歌与散文中的拟人
Personification gives human qualities, feelings or actions to an object, animal or idea. It makes descriptions more engaging and helps the reader connect emotionally with non-human things.
拟人赋予物体、动物或概念以人的特性、情感或行为。它使描写更吸引人，帮助读者与非人之物建立情感联系。
In 'The wind whispered through the trees', the wind is given the human ability to whisper. In 'Fear knocked on the door', fear is personified as a visitor.
在“风在树间低语”中，风被赋予低语的人的能力。在“恐惧敲响了门”中，恐惧被拟人化为一位访客。
- Formula: non-human thing + human verb/emotion = personification
- 公式：非人事物 + 人的动词/情感 = 拟人
4. Alliteration and Sound Effects | 头韵与音效
Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words that are close together. It draws attention to particular words and can create mood, rhythm or emphasis.
头韵是在相邻词的开头重复相同的辅音。它吸引读者注意特定词语，并能营造氛围、节奏感或强调效果。
Example: 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers' repeats the 'p' sound, making the line playful and memorable. In 'sweet birds sang', the 's' sound creates a soft, gentle feeling.
例如：“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”重复了/p/音，让句子俏皮易记。在“sweet birds sang”中，/s/音营造出柔和、宁静的感觉。
- Formula: Repeat initial consonant → sound pattern that emphasises meaning.
- 公式：重复词首辅音 → 形成强调意义的语音模式。
5. Onomatopoeia: Words that Sound Like their Meaning | 拟声词：音义相仿的词语
Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate the natural sound of the thing they describe. These words make writing more expressive and help the reader 'hear' the action.
拟声词指那些模仿所描述事物自然声音的词语。这些词让写作更富表现力，帮助读者“听到”所描述的动作。
Examples include 'buzz', 'splash', 'bang', 'hiss', and 'meow'. The word 'buzz' sounds like the noise a bee makes; 'splash' imitates the sound of water being disturbed.
例子包括：“buzz”（嗡嗡）、“splash”（哗啦）、“bang”（砰）、“hiss”（嘶嘶）和“meow”（喵）。单词“buzz”听起来像蜜蜂发出的声音；“splash”模仿水花四溅的声音。
- Formula: word = sound it represents → auditory effect.
- 公式：词语 = 它代表的声音 → 听觉效果。
6. Rhyme and Rhythm: The Music of Poetry | 押韵与节奏：诗歌的音乐性
Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds, usually at the end of lines in poetry. Rhythm is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, like a beat. Together they create a poem's musical quality.
押韵是指相似音的重复，通常出现在诗歌诗行的末尾。节奏则是重读与非重读音节的模式，如同节拍。两者共同创造出诗歌的音乐性。
End rhyme: 'The cat in the hat / sat on the mat'. Rhythm can be described as da-DUM da-DUM (iambic) in lines like 'I wandered lonely as a cloud'.
尾韵：“The cat in the hat / sat on the mat”。节奏可描述为 da-DUM da-DUM（抑扬格），如“I wandered lonely as a cloud”这一行。
- Formula: Rhyme = matching end sounds; Rhythm = pattern of beats per line.
- 公式：押韵 = 末尾音相配；节奏 = 每行的节拍模式。
7. Structure of a Poem: Stanzas and Lines | 诗歌结构：诗节与诗行
A stanza is a group of lines in a poem, similar to a paragraph in prose. Stanzas can be of different lengths: a couplet has two lines, a quatrain has four, and so on. A line is a single row of words.
诗节是诗歌中的一组诗行，类似于散文中的段落。诗节长度可不同：对句有两行，四行诗节有四行，等等。诗行是单独的一行词语。
Poets use stanza breaks to organise ideas, create pauses, or change the mood. The number of lines in a stanza often links to rhyme scheme and rhythm.
诗人利用诗节间隔来组织思想、创造停顿或改变情绪。诗节的行数常与押韵格式和节奏相关联。
- Formula: Stanza = a verse paragraph; Line = one row; Identify the pattern (e.g. ABAB rhyme scheme).
- 公式：诗节 = 诗意段落；诗行 = 一行；辨别模式（如 ABAB 押韵格式）。
8. Exploring Themes in Literature | 探索文学中的主题
A theme is a central idea, message or insight about life that the writer explores. It is not the same as a plot summary; it is the deeper meaning the text conveys. Common themes include love, friendship, loss, courage and identity.
主题是作家探索的核心思想、信息或关于生活的洞见。它不同于情节概要；它是文本传达的深层含义。常见主题包括爱、友谊、失落、勇气和身份认同。
For example, in a story about a character who stands up to a bully, the theme might be 'courage in the face of injustice' rather than simply 'a boy fights a bully'.
例如，在一个关于角色挺身面对欺凌的故事中，主题可能是“面对不公的勇气”，而不只是“男孩与恶霸打架”。
- Formula: Theme = big idea + what the text says about it.
- 公式：主题 = 大思想 + 文本对它的阐述。
9. The Elements of Plot | 情节的要素
Plot is the sequence of events in a story. It usually follows a structure: exposition (introduction of setting and characters), rising action (building tension), climax (the most intense point), falling action, and resolution (ending).
情节是故事中事件的顺序。它通常遵循这样的结构：开端（介绍背景和人物）、发展（紧张感增强）、高潮（最紧张的时刻）、回落和结局。
A plot diagram helps you see this shape: a mountain with the climax at the peak. For instance, in 'Little Red Riding Hood', the climax is when the wolf reveals himself.
情节图有助于看清这个形状：一座山，山顶为高潮。例如，在《小红帽》中，高潮是狼露出真面目的时刻。
- Formula: Exposition → Rising action → Climax → Falling action → Resolution.
- 公式：开端 → 发展 → 高潮 → 回落 → 结局。
10. Character and Characterisation | 人物与人物塑造
A character is a person, animal or figure in a literary work. Characterisation is how the writer reveals the character's personality – directly by telling us, or indirectly through speech, actions, thoughts and reactions of others.
人物是文学作品中的一个人、动物或形象。人物塑造是作家揭示人物性格的方式——可以是直接告诉我们，或是通过人物的语言、行为、思想以及他人反应间接展示。
A protagonist is the main character, while an antagonist opposes the protagonist. Flat characters are simple; round characters are complex and develop over time.
主角是主要人物，而反派（对立角色）与主角对立。扁平人物较为简单；圆形人物复杂且随时间发展。
- Formula: ells; Indirect = shows through STEAL (Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, Looks).
- 公式：直接塑造 = 告知；间接 = 通过 STEAL（语言、思想、对他人影响、行为、外貌）展现。
11. Setting and Atmosphere | 背景与氛围
Setting is the time and place where the story happens. It includes not only the physical location and historical period but also the weather, social conditions and mood. Atmosphere is the emotional feeling created by the setting.
背景是故事发生的时间和地点。它不仅包括地理位置和历史时期，还包括天气、社会环境及情绪。氛围则是由背景产生的情绪感受。
A dark, stormy night can create a tense, frightening atmosphere. A sunny beach might suggest peace and happiness. Writers select details of setting to reinforce themes and characters' emotions.
一个漆黑的暴风雨之夜可营造紧张、可怕的氛围。阳光明媚的海滩则可能暗示平静与幸福。作家选择背景细节来强化主题和人物情感。
- Formula: Setting (time + place + conditions) → Atmosphere (mood).
- 公式：背景（时间 + 地点 + 条件）→ 氛围（情绪）。
12. Point of View: Who is Telling the Story? | 叙述视角：谁在讲故事？
Point of view is the perspective from which a story is narrated. First-person uses 'I' or 'we' (the narrator is a character in the story). Third-person limited follows one character's thoughts, while third-person omniscient knows all characters' thoughts and feelings.
叙述视角是讲述故事的视角。第一人称使用“我”或“我们”（叙述者是故事中的角色）。第三人称有限视角跟随一个角色的思想，而第三人称全知视角了解所有角色的思想与情感。
In first-person, we experience everything through the narrator's eyes, which can be biased. Third-person omniscient allows the reader to see the bigger picture, like a camera that can move anywhere.
在第一人称中，我们通过叙述者的眼睛体验一切，这可能有偏见。第三人称全知视角让读者看到全貌，就像一架可以随意移动的摄像机。
- Formula: 1st person = 'I' tells the story; 3rd limited = he/she, one mind; 3rd omniscient = all minds known.
- 公式：第一人称 = “我”讲故事；第三人有限 = 他/她，一个视角；第三人全知 = 知晓所有人思想。
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