English Language Features Flashcards
A comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’ to create a vivid image.
‘As big as a whale’, ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’.
Simile
A comparison made without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
‘Sea of troubles’ and ‘drowning in debt’.
metaphor
A type of imagery in which non-human objects, animals or ideas are given human characteristics.
‘The jaws of the cave’, ‘the leaves danced in the breeze’.
personification
The environment (usually the weather) reflects the mood of the character or scene.
‘The fog crept evilly through the streets as he stalked his victim.’.
pathetic fallacy
The sounds of words to express or underline their meaning, sensory imagery.
‘Crunch’, ‘pop’, ‘screech’.
onomatopoeia
The repetition of the same sounds usually at the beginning of words.
‘Reuse, renew, recycle’.
alliteration
The repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words.
‘Harsh bark’, ‘moonlit pool’.
assonance
Repetition in a group of three to strengthen an idea or argument.
‘Freedom, equality, and justice’.
rule of three
Implied meanings suggested by a word rather than its literal meanings.
‘Red’ is a colour but can imply ‘danger’, ‘anger’ or ‘stop’.
connotations
Over-the-top exaggeration for effect.
‘I have ten tonnes of homework to do.’
hyperbole
Words, phrases or ideas that are repeated for effect.
‘This is serious. Incredibly serious.’
repetition
A question asked for effect with no answer expected.
‘Do you think that I’m made of money?’
rhetorical questions
Words chosen to bring an emotional response.
‘Defenceless’, ‘hard-hearted’
emotive language
