english language terminology Flashcards
adjective
A word that describes a noun or pronoun. e.g. heavy, kind, unusual
adverb
A word that gives extra information about a verb. e.g. carefully, rarely, tightly
alliteration
When words that are close together start with the same sound. e.g. “the beat of the band”
analogy
A comparison to show how one thing is similar to another, which makes it either more memorable or easier to understand. e.g. “watching a cricket is about as exciting as watching paint dry”
antithesis
A rhetorical technique where opposing words or ideas are presented together to show a contrast.
audience
the person or group of people that read a text
biased writing
gives more support to one point of view that to another, due to the writers own opinions affecting the way they write
broadsheet
A more serious type of newspaper, which often focuses on more serious topics e.g. The Guardian or The Telegraph
chronological writing
presented in time order, from earliest to latest
colloquial language
Informal language that sounds like ordinary speech.
imperative
A sentence that tells the reader to do something.
complex sentence
A sentence that links together two or more clauses.
compound sentence
Two main clauses joined to make one sentence using a conjunction such as ‘or’, ‘but’ or ‘and’
connotations
The suggestions that words can make beyond their obvious meaning. e.g. ‘stroll’ means ‘walk’ but it has connotations of moving slowly.
context
The background to something order the situation surrounding it, which affects the way it is understood.
counter-argument
The opposite point of view to the writer’s own view. This is useful when writing to argue or pursuade- first give the counter-argument then explain why you disagree with it.
determiner
A word that goes before a noun to show possession or quantity. e.g. ‘his’, ‘two’
direct address
When the writer talks straight to the reader e.g. “you might recall…”
double negative
A sentence construction that incorrectly expresses a negative idea by using two negative words or phrases e.g. “I don’t want to no trouble”
emotive language
Language that has an emotive effect on the reader.
empathy
The ability to imagine and understand someone else’s feelings or experiences.
exclamation
A sentence that conveys strong emotions, usually ending with and exclamation mark.
explicit information
Information that is directly stated in a text.
figurative language
Language used in a non-literal way to create an effect. e.g. personification.
first person
A narrative viewpoint where the narrator is one of the characters.
flashback
A writing technique where the scene shifts from the present to an event in the past.
form
The type of text e.g. a letter, a speech or a newspaper article.
frame narrative
A narrative in which one story is presented within another.
generalisation
A statement that gives an overall impression (sometimes a misleading one) without going into details.
E.g. “children today eat too much junk food”
hyperbole
When exaggeration is used to have an effect on the reader.
imagery
A type of figurative language that creates a picture in your mind. e.g. metaphors and similies.
impersonal tone
A tone that doesn’t try to directly engage with the reader.
implicit information
Information that is hinted at without being said.
inference
A conclusion reached about something based on evidence.
intensifier
A word used alongside an adjective to provide emphasis e.g. “very friendly”
irony
Saying one thing but meaning the opposite. e.g. “what a great idea of mine to go o a nice long walk o. the rainiest day of the year”.
limited narrator
A narrator who only has partial knowledge about the events or characters in a story.
linear structure
A type of narrative structure that tells the events of a story in chronological order.
linguistic devices
Language techniques that are used to have an effect on an audience e.g. onomatopoeia
rule of three
Using three words or phrases together to create emphasis.
metaphor
A way of describing something by saying that it is something else to create a vivid image. e.g. “His eyes were deep blue pools”
motif
A recurring image or idea in a text.
narrative
Writing a story that describes an experience.
non-linear structure
A type of narrative structure that tells the events of a story in non-chronological order.
omniscient narrator
A narrator who knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in a narrative.
onomatopoeia
A word that imitates the sound it describes as you say it. e.g. “whisper”
pace
The speed at which the writer takes the reader through the events in a story.
paraphrase
Describing or rephrasing something in a text without including a direct quote.
parenthesis
A rhetorical technique where an extra clause or phrase is inserted into a completes sentence.
personification
Describing something as if it were a person “The sea growled”
posessive determiner
A determiner such as ‘my’ or ‘your’ that tells you who something belongs to.
pronoun
A word that takes the place of the noun e.g. ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘it’
purpose
The reason a text is written. e.g. to pursuade, to inform
repetition
The technique of repeating words for effect.
rhetoric
Using language techniques (e.g.repetition or hyperbole) to achieve a persuasive effect.
rhetorical question
A question that does not need an answer. e.g. “why do we do this to ourselves?”
sarcasm
Language that has a mocking/scornful tone, often using irony.
satire
A style of text that makes fun out of people or situations, often by imitating them or exaggerating there flaws.
second person
A narrative viewpoint that is written as if the reader is one of the characters.
sensory language
Language that appeals to the 5 senses
simile
A way of describing something by comparing it to something else.
simple sentence
A sentence made up of a single, main clause
standard english
English that is considered to be correct as it uses formal, standardised features of spelling and grammar.
structure
The order and arrangement of ideas in a text. e.g. how a text begins, develops and ends.
tabloid
A less formal type of newspaper, which often focuses on more sensational topics.
third person
A narrative viewpoint where the narrator remains outside the events of the story
tone
The mood or feeling of a piece of writing e.g. serious/light-hearted/happy/sad.
viewpoint
The attitude and beliefs that a writer is trying to convey.
