Language Features

Question 1

Rhetorical Question

Answer 1

Questions that the reader or audience is not expected to answer.

“So what would result from such a plan? Chaos, that’s what.”

To get the readers’ / audience’s attention and make them think about the answer before giving it.

Question 2

Slang

Answer 2

Informal or casual made up words that are used by cultural groups.

G’day, Mate - Australian slang for good morning

Appeals to target reader

Question 3

Statistics

Answer 3

Use of statistics in writing.

“1500 people survived the crash.”

Persuades the reader, makes the writer seem knowledgeable.

Question 4

Pun

Answer 4

Word play involving the use of a word that has two different meanings or two words that sound the same but mean different things.

“Look deep into our ryes.” (slogan of a Bakery company)

Draws attention to the word and
creates humour

Question 5

Emotive Words

Answer 5

Use of words which have specifically intended emotional effects, and will make the reader have an emotional response.

Negative = ‘Abandoned children found in filthy, flea-infested flat’.

Manipulates the reader, the attitude and emotions of the author are transferred onto or made clear to the reader.

Question 6

Anecdote

Answer 6

A short description of a scene or story taken from personal experience.

“After the long Ohio winter, I was so happy to see the first signs of spring that I ran outside as soon as I saw our first flower blooming. I plucked the dewy, white blossom and tucked it into my hair band and went about my day with joy in my heart……”

Contextualises point, relaxes the reader, and is sometimes used for humour

Question 7

Cliche

Answer 7

An overused expression that has lost its original meaning or novelty.

“At the speed of light.”

Helps reader comprehend

Question 8

Exaggeration / Hyperbole

Answer 8

Extreme exaggeration, not meant to be taken in the literal sense.

Hyperbole: ‘I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.’
Literal meaning: ‘I’m so hungry I could eat a lot.’

Draws attention to the point

Question 9

Imperative

Answer 9

An instruction or command, speaking directly to the reader.

“Act now!”
“Eat your greens.”

Involves the reader, and persuades them to do something.

Question 10

Sarcasm

Answer 10

Unkind humour directed against what the writer/ speaker doesn’t like.

“….fluff-filled catalogues”

Creates humour, and deliberately mocks or insults the object or person towards whom it is directed.

Question 11

Pronoun

Answer 11

Use of pronouns in writing

I, me, my, mine, you, your, yours, we, us, our, ours

e.g. “You wouldn’t dream what happened to him. I can’t believe it myself!”

Involves reader

Question 12

Repetition

Answer 12

Repeating the same word (or derivatives of the same word) throughout a piece of writing.

“Come on, Come on!” she shouted. “We’re late!”

Emphasises point, and makes it more memorable

Question 13

Irony

Answer 13

When something is said, that is opposite to what is meant. It is not as mocking or insulting as sarcasm.

..cultural icons like McDonald’s carparks..

Causes deep thought

Question 14

Colloquial Language

Answer 14

Use of Informal language.

I’m gonna go down to the beach. You wanna come?

I am going to go down to the beach. Do you want to come?

Reader can relate

Question 15

Ellipsis

Answer 15

Three evenly spaced full stops, used to omit part of a sentence or event, giving the reader a chance to fill the gaps.

“Hello…I guess”

Urges reader to stop and think

Question 16

Listing

Answer 16

Objects/reasons/parts of a whole, are listed, usually with commas separating them (or bullet points)

“We give him access to the biomechanics, conditioning, nutrition, physiology and psychology he needs to be the best.”

Emphasises point

Question 17

Euphemism

Answer 17

A mild, indirect term used instead of a blunt, direct or offensive one.

“John’s Grandfather kicked the bucket”.

Sets the tone of point