Language Features Flashcards
Words that have similar or the same meaning
Synonym
new word or expression. A word used with new meaning
neologism
a word that spells a sound
onomatopoeia
a play on words, often achieved through the use of words with similar sounds but different meanings
pun
Repeating a word or phrase, or rewording the same idea
repetition
Comparison using like or as
simile
the collection and classification of data that are in the form of numbers
statistics
an overused saying or idea
cliche
short story of an amusing or interesting event
anecdote
comparison not using like or as
metaphor
informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing
colloquialism
the deliberate use of strong emotive words to play on readers’ feelings. Language that carries strong emotion
emotive language
a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humour
hyperbole
A command
imperative
Includes reader/audience by assuming ‘we all agree or disagree.’
inclusive language
A list of associated ideas or things
listing
Words with opposite meanings
antonym
a sentence with one independent clause
simple sentence
a sentence with two or more independent clauses
compound sentence
a sentence that includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause
complex sentence
an unfinished sentence.
incomplete sentence
person, place, thing, or idea
noun
replaces a noun, Eg. I, she, he etc.
pronoun
names an idea, quality, action, or feeling
abstract noun
an action word
verb
describes a noun
adjective
a word that describes a verb
adverb
giving human qualities to animals or objects
personification
The repetition of vowel sounds
assonance
a word that joins two phrases or sentences
conjunction
shows a relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentences eg. to, by, over
preposition
expresses emotion eg. ah, whoops, ouch
interjection
The actual spoken words are written down
direct speech
A statement that hints at something
innuendo
Words which are used in their simplest, most basic meaning eg. The literal meaning of “over the moon” is “above the moon”. The non-literal meaning is “really happy”
literal language
A statement that puts together two ideas that seem to be opposite in meaning, but which makes sense if you think about it
paradox
using more words than necessary
circumlocution
the emotional association which many words have; they mean different things to different people
connotation
expressions or words which are a ‘nicer’ way of saying something
euphemism
a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase
idiom
intended meaning is the opposite of that expressed
irony
a word which combines the sounds and meaning of two others
portmanteau
words or phrases used in conversation by a particular group of people, used for informality, exclusivity
slang
a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in England lost by six wickets (meaning ‘the English cricket team’).
synecdoche
special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand
jargon
