Language Features Flashcards
Simile
A comparison between two objects using like or as.
Example: As cold as ice
Personification
Describing animals or objects in human terms.
Example: The chair groaned when the large lady sat on it
Onomatopoeia
Can be used to intensify the atmosphere and sustain imagery. Words that mimic sounds.
Examples: Crack, splash, hiss, woosh
Pun
A play on words with similar sounds.
Example: A boiled egg every morning is hard to beat
Assonance
Is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. It is used to reinforce the meanings of words.
Example: I made my way to the lake
Alliteration
Repetition of the initial sound of the words.
Example: Sydney’s slippery slide
Metaphor
One thing is said to be another to invite comparison. Does not use like or as.
Example: He’s a rough diamond
Rhetorical question
A question asked to prove a point, or for dramatic effect, rather than to get an answer. It is often used to make the audience think or be persuaded on an issue.
Example: Isn’t it better for schools to provide lunch than for students to go hungry?
Hyberbole
An exaggeration or overstatement to imply something is better or worse than it actually is
Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse
Anecdote
A short account of an interesting or entertaining story to make a point.
Example: When I was in Year 9, my friends and I…
Listing
Three or more objects, reasons, etc are listed together for emphasis or to provide information. They are usually separated by commas.
Example: He packed his hat, sunscreen and towel for his trip to the beach.
Repetition
The reuse of words or phrases for effect
Example: We cannot imagine the horrors they face; cannot imagine the strength of their spirit
Imperative statements
An instruction or command, often expressed with urgency. Sometimes ends with an exclamation mark.
Example: Tidy your room right now!
Imagery
Descriptive language that usually appeals to the five senses to create a picture in the readers mind.
Example: It was dark and dim in the forest.
Cliché
Overused phrase or expression
Example: A gold medal performance
Statistics
The collection, organization and interpretation of numerical data. Sometimes used in writing to provide factual evidence.
Example: 85% of students need to study harder for their exams.
Direct speech
The reporting of speech by quoting or stating the actual words a person has said. Often used in news articles to provide evidence.
Example: The English teacher told us “You must learn your language features!”
Emotive language
Emotive language used to influence the reader’s emotions in some way. It may be used to make the reader feel emotions such as anger, joy or sympathy about a particular person or situation. Nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs are important here.
Example: The knife ripped through his battered body.
Allusion
An indirect reference to a well-known person, place or aspect of culture that an audience or reader is likely to recognise.
Example: He was a real Romeo with the ladies.
Jargon
Special words or expressions used by a particular group that are difficult for others to understand. Usually associated with a subject, occupation or business.
Example: We are trialling a blended e-learning approach to classroom assessment.
Sibilance
Sibilance is a more specific type of alliteration that relies on the repetition of soft consonant sounds in words to create a whooshing or hissing sound in the writing. Example: Sally sells seashells by the seashore.
Rhyme
Correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words, especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry.
Example: Poetic features such as rhythm, rhyme, and alliteration.
Rhythm
A strong, regular repeated pattern of movement or sound.
Euphemism
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Connotations
An idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning.
Colloquial language
Refers to words or expressions used in ordinary language by common people.
Juxtaposition
The deliberate placing of two things side-by-side for comparison or contrast.
Example: In the classroom, Susan sat upright, eyes wide open, ears at the ready. Sally was asleep at her desk.
Oxymoron
A figure of speech where contradictory terms are joined to create an effect. Usually reveals a tension between these terms, or a conflict in the speaker.
Example: An honest thief, being cruel to be kind, seriously funny
