Which term refers to presenting familiar things in an unfamiliar way?

• A. Defamiliarization
• B. Foreshadowing
• C. Dramatic Visualization
• D. Juxtaposition

Answer: (A)

Defamiliarization is the act of presenting familiar things in an unfamiliar way to renew perception. By making the ordinary seem strange, it forces attention on common objects, language, or experiences we usually overlook. This technique, associated with Russian formalists like Viktor Shklovsky, aims to jar readers or viewers out of automatic understanding so they notice details they would miss otherwise. For example, describing a kitchen stove as something ferocious or animate makes us resee it rather than take it for granted. That’s why defamiliarization best fits the idea of presenting familiar things in an unfamiliar way. The other terms describe different effects: foreshadowing hints at future events; dramatic visualization isn’t a standard term, and juxtaposition pairs elements to highlight contrasts, which can create new meanings but doesn’t specifically capture the act of making the familiar unfamiliar.