Language Features Flashcards
What is an acronym?
Forming a new word by using abbreviated letters of other words
What is an example of alliteration?
Mary makes magical mudcakes
What is an allusion, and what is an example of it?
A reference, sometimes indirect, to a person, place or object.
Taylor Swift references Romeo in one of her hit songs.
What is presented in an analogy to help the reader’s understanding?
A parallel case - for example, raising children is like tending to sunflowers. Watch them, give them sunshine and watch them grow.
What language feature is being used?
The gloating boat floats on the moat.
Assonance
What is the term for an overused expression?
Cliche
What is a connotation?
An implication that refers to qualities, positive or negative.
What is the purpose of emotive language?
It is used to stir the emotions of the reader, to make them feel a certain way.
What is a euphemism?
A more pleasant or polite way of saying something something uncomfortable, or to hide the truth.
What language feature is this?
I have a million things to do.
Hyperbole
What is an idiom?
Phrases with an understood meaning - for example, spill the beans, over the moon
What makes an imperative verb different to a verb?
It is the command form of a verb, telling someone to do something (the verb)
What is the purpose of an intensifier?
To increase the meaning of the following word - for example, very or highly.
What language feature is this?
An English teacher who can’t spell.
Irony
What is jargon?
Words specific to a particular area/topic.
What are litotes?
Statements using a negative to express a positive idea - for example, she’s not a bad singer.
What is a metaphor?
A direct comparison of two things.
What is an oxymoron?
A deliberate use of contradictory words in juxtaposition - for example, old news, deafening silence
What language feature is this?
The beginning of the end
Paradox
What is pun?
A play on the double meaning of words
What is the purpose of rhetorical question?
It is asked for effect and does not require an answer.
What is this language feature?
Sing a song of sixpence
Sibilance
What are superlative adjectives?
Adjectives used to describe the most upper or lower limit of quality - for example, biggest, smallest
