Key Words Flashcards
Noun
A naming word for people, places and things
Adjective
Adds description to people, places and things
Verb
Used to convey an action
Adverb
Adds description to an action
Pronoun
Used to refer to a person without using their name
Simile
Description through using ‘like’ or ‘as’
Metaphor
Used to describe something as if it is something else
Personification
Describes inanimate objects with human features and tendencies
Zoomorphism
Describes inanimate objects and people with animalistic tendencies.
Pathetic Fallacy
Assigning emotions and feeling to inanimate objects
Alliteration
Repetition of the same letter/sound with adjacent or closely connected words
Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like the sound they represent
Juxtaposition
Placing two contrasting ideas/characters/settings/atmospheres close together in the same text for effect
Sensory Language
Words/phrases which describe or appeal to the senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell
Emotive Language
A word or phrase that expresses or makes the reader feel a certain emotion
Repetition
Where a word, phrase, technique or idea is repeated
Superlatives
A hyperbolic adjective or adverb
Modal Verb
Verbs that are used to show the level of possibility, indicate ability, show obligation or give permission
Sibilance
Repetition of the ‘s’ sound with adjacent or closely connected words
Extended Metaphor
A central metaphor that acts like an ‘umbrella’ to connect other metaphors or comparisons within it. It can span several lines or an entire text
Ambiguity
Where a word or phrase has two or more possible interpretations
Hyperbole
Deliberate exaggeration
Semantic Field
Where words are categorised based on a shared meaning
Symbolism
Generally speaking, a symbol is a sign representing something other than itself
Simple Sentence
An independent clause that makes complete sense on its own and communicates one idea. It typically contains a verb and a subject.
Eg. The dinosaur chased the ball.
Compound sentence
Two independent clauses linked by a coordination conjunction
Eg. The dinosaur chased the ball and crushed it.
Complex sentence
One independent clause and one (or more) subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses begin with a subordinating conjuction. They do not make sense.
Eg. Without any choice, the dinosaur chased the ball.
Minor/Fragment Sentence
A full sentence needs an independent clause in order for it to be grammatically correct. If a subject and/or verb are missing, this is a fragment sentence. A one word sentence.
Eg. Silence.
Declarative sentence
A statement
Eg. The dinosaur is absoluting huge
Imperative sentence
A command
Eg. Chase the ball
Exclamatory sentence
A sentence which ends with an exclamation mark for emphasis.
Eg. He crushed the ball!
Compound-Complex sentence
Two independent clauses joined together by a coordination conjunction and one or more subordinate clauses.
Eg. Without any choice, the dinosaur chased the ball but crushed it, not thinking of the other dinosaurs.
Structural Technique - Beginning
The opening of a text. This is where the main ideas and focus(s) of a text are introduced.
Structural Technique - Middle
The section of a text between the opening and the ending. This is where the ideas, characters, settings, themes and the main focus are developed.
Structural Technique - End
This is the conclusion of the text.
Structural Technique - Shift of Focus
Where the writer guides the reader’s attention from one thing to another.
Structural Technique - Zooming in
Where a writer focuses on something specifically and describes it in great depth and detail
Structural Technique - Zooming out
Where a writer focuses on or describes something more generally such as the atmosphere in a room
Structural Technique - Foreshadowing
A suggestion or hint of an event or revelation which will occur later in the text
Structural Technique - Contrast
Where two opposites are places closely together for emphasis
Structural Technique - Dialogue
Character speech
Structural Technique - Flashback
Where the focus shifts from the present to the past and back again
Structural Technique - Time Shift
Where the focus shifts from the present to the future
Structural Technique - Inside to Outside (and vise versa)
Where a writer shifts the focus from inside a setting to outside. This can also apply to characters: a writer may describe a character’s thoughts and feelings (inside) before shifting the reader’s focus to their physical appearance or actions (outside)
Structural Technique - Cycilical
When the end of a text is similar to the beginning
Structural Technique - Cliffhanger
An unresolved ending
Structural Technique - Exposition
The first stage of a narrative. Characters, settings, atmosphere and key ideas are introduced.
Structural Technique - Conflict
The second stage of a narrative. There is a problem or issue that affects the protagonist
Structural Technique - Rising Action
The third stage of a narrative. The tension or excitement builds towards the climatic moment
Structural Technique - Climax
The fourth stage of a narrative. This is the main event for which the ‘conflict’ was the catalyst. This is the peak of the narrative where the main issue is tackled or there is a plot twist.
Structural Technique - Falling Action
The fifth stage of a narrative. A decrease in tension building towards the end of the text. However, depending on the focus of the climax, not all narratives will have a ‘falling action’.
Structural Technique - Resolution
The sixth stage of narrative. The ending, usually cyclical, conclusive or a cliffhanger.
