Language Features Flashcards
Alliteration (Definition)
Repetition of the same consonant sound at the begging of words - usually in close succession.
Alliteration (General Effect)
Makes smaller sections of text hang together and flow better. Draws our attention to this phrase. Creates a harder or softer mood.
Onomatopoeia (Definition)
Words sound like the sounds they name.
Onomatopoeia (General Effect)
This helps us hear the actual sounds being named and therefore we understand it properly or it transports us to the place of the sound.
Repetition (Definition)
Repeating the same or nearly the same words for effect.
Repetition (General Effect)
This is used to emphasise whatever is being said or written, or to mimic repetition in nature.
Hyperbole (Definition)
Deliberate exaggeration
Hyperbole (General Effect)
Used for emphasis to get a point across. Also illustrates something of the mood of the speaking/writer.
Litotes (Definition)
Deliberate understatement
Litotes (General Effect)
Shows just how strong the emotion is and illustrates something of the characters on the speaker/writer.
Use of multiple adjectives adverbs (Definition)
Adjectives give more information about the noun and the adverbs about the verb.
Use of multiple adjectives or adverbs (General Effect)
Built up a very full picture of the object/animals/persons or the activity so that it becomes very clear in the readers mind - the reader feels s/he can picture it or see it happening very precisely.
Simple Sentences (Definition)
These have only one complete verb, thought there may be one or more incomplete verbs.
Simple Sentences (General Effect)
Are used to establish one idea. Often used as a topic sentence, making clear what the paragraph is about or marking a change of place/topic/ext
Compound Sentences (Definition)
These have a minimum of two complete verbs and each part of the sentence can stand on its own.
Compound Sentences (General Effect)
Used to get across two main ideas with some supporting detail.
Complex Sentences (Definition)
These have a minimum of two complete verbs; The part of the sentence which has one of those verbs, but CANNOT stand on its own, is called a subordinate clause.
Complex Sentences (General Effect)
Used to provide explanations and other more detailed information about the idea expressed in the main clause.
Rhetorical Question (Definition)
A question that does not expect an answer from the reader or audience.
Rhetorical Question (General Effect)
To get the readers’ attention and make them think about the answer before giving it.
Use of command (Definition)
This is the verb used alone (without a noun or pronoun). Can be used with adverbs or other word classes.
Use of command (General Effect)
To catch peoples attention, whether it’s another character in a narrative or the audience listening to a speaker. We are socially conditioned to obey commands so the advertiser or speaker may get some affirmative response.
Listing (Definition)
Objects/reasons/parts of a whole, etc. are listed - in text, usually with commas separating them; in adverts/web pages or text, can be with bullet points.
Listing (General Effect)
Shows the extent of or emphasise the topic/object/event being discussed/described; shows the author’s wide knowledge of the topic.
Emotive language (Definition)
Choice of words which have specifically intended emotional effects or are intended to evoke an emotional response in the reader.
Emotive Language (General Effect)
The attitude and emotions of the author are transferred or made clear to the reader
Sarcasm (Definition)
Unkind humour directed against what the writer/speaker doesn’t like.
Sarcasm (General Effect)
The emotions and attitudes are ones of disdain or contempt or revulsion or dislike or bitterness,
Contrast (Definition)
Using words of opposite meaning close together.
Contrast (General Effect)
Strengthens each aspect of the contrast by showing up the difference. To emphasise a change of difference or idea.
Use of numbers/statistics
A specific number or statistic give the impression that the speaker/writer is authoritative and knowledgeable.
Use of authority figures (Definition)
The word (or image) of a famous person or celebrity are used.
Use of authority figures
The reader / viewer aspired to share the goals (and use the product promoted by) the personality.
Simile (Definition)
An image which compares two things using LIKE or AS
Simile (General Effect)
All imagery gives the person/animal/thing being described the characters of something else. It therefore enlivens descriptions by helping us to see these people/animal/things in a new light - in a way we may have never seen them or thought about them before.
Metaphors are more compact and tighter in their comparative descriptions than similes.
Metaphor (Definition)
An image which compares two things WITHOUT using LIKE or AS
Metaphor (General Effect)
All imagery gives the person/animal/thing being described the characters of something else. It therefore enlivens descriptions by helping us to see these people/animal/things in a new light - in a way we may have never seen them or thought about them before.
Metaphors are more compact and tighter in their comparative descriptions than similes.
Personification (Definition)
When image which gives human qualities to non-human thing
Personification (General Effect)
Personification makes inanimate objects seem lively and lifelike while it also contributes to our sense of oneness with these inanimate object.
Choice of Words (vocabulary)
Using more unusual or specialised or technical words.
Choice of Words (General Effect)
Sometimes, more unusual words provide more specific meaning than common ones. Specialised or technical words make it seem like the writer/speaker really knows the topic.
Use of slang (Definition)
Most likely used in direct speech.
Use of slang (General Effect)
Grounds the text in informality as well as a certain social group and period of time.
Pun (Definition)
Word play involving the use of a word with two different meanings or two words that sound the same but often mean different things.
Often used in advertising
Pun (General Effect)
Provokes amusement and therefore a tendency for the reader to feel good about the company/product and possibly to buy the product.
If use by a character, shows that the character is rather clever and witty
