What literary technique is used in stream of consciousness writing?

Stream of consciousness writing is characterized by a fragmented and nonlinear narrative style that mirrors the way thoughts flow in the human mind. This technique captures the internal monologue of characters, revealing their emotions, thoughts, and perceptions in a way that can feel disjointed or chaotic. It allows readers to experience the characters' inner thoughts directly, often jumping between different ideas, memories, and sensations without a clear or logical progression. This reflects the complexity of human consciousness and provides deep insight into the characters' psychological states.

In contrast, the other choices represent different literary techniques that do not align with the essence of stream of consciousness. Formal and structured dialogue suggests a more traditional narrative approach with clear exchanges, while expository and analytical prose focuses on explaining concepts or analyzing themes in a systematic way. Descriptive and sensory details enhance a narrative but do not inherently convey the internal thought processes that are central to stream of consciousness writing. Hence, the choice of fragmented and nonlinear narrative accurately identifies the primary technique used in this style.