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GCSE ENGLISH LIT > Language techniques > Flashcards

Language techniques Flashcards

1
Q

Allegory

A

When characters and plot represent ideas that relate to morality, politics or religion

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2
Q

Effect of allegory

A

Allows authors and creators to explore often overwhelming or controversial ideas in an approachable manner

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3
Q

Alliteration

A

Use of the same letter or sound at the beginning of consecutive words or words in close proximity

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4
Q

Effect of alliteration

A

Draws attention to certain phrases or sentences. It not only draws the eye of the reader on the page, but the phrase has more emphasis when read

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5
Q

Allusion

A

A way of making reference to something else without explicitly stating what is you’re referring to

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6
Q

Effect of allusion

A

Allows authors to infer meaning by creating parallels between their text and whatever it is they’re alluding to. It can also be used in the opposite manner to create contrast between the author’s argument and their allusion

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7
Q

Anaphora

A

When words or phrases repeat at the beginning of consecutive sentences, clauses or lines in poetry

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8
Q

Effect of anaphora

A

Used like alliteration to create emphasis and draw the eye of the reader, creating rhythm and injecting emotion into the text

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9
Q

Archetypes

A

A stereotype of a character or thing. It is a model around which certain characters types are built

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10
Q

Effect of archetypes

A

Used to build a connection between the reader and the characters in the text. It prompts a feeling of familiarity which causes readers to become more emotionally invested in the text

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11
Q

Aphorism

A

A short statement about a widely accepted truth. These are often amusing or witty in nature

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12
Q

Effect of aphorism

A

Builds trust between reader and writer by making use of universal truths, reader comes to understand the writer as trustworthy, thus increasing engagement and helping persuade them of the writer’s argument

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13
Q

Assonance

A

Repetition of a similar vowel sound in consecutive words or words in close proximity

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14
Q

Effect of assonance

A

Creates rhythm in a text allowing readers to interpret a sentence the way the author intended by making clear which vowel sound should be stressed

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15
Q

Caesura

A

A stop in the middle of a line, usually in the form of a comma, dash or colon

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16
Q

Effect of caesura

A

Gives a choppy, dysfunctional tone to the text whilst simultaneously increasing reading pace. This can help build tension.

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17
Q

Chiasmus

A

The reversal of phrases or grammatical structures in consecutive phrases or sentences (Fair is foul and foul is fair)

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18
Q

Effect of chiasmus

A

Adds emphasis to a portion of text, drawing the reader’s eye and making sentences stand out more. Reversing a phrase just after using it engages the reader’s attention by disrupting the structure of the text

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19
Q

Connotation

A

When a word or phrase is intended to carry a certain meeting

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20
Q

Effect of connotation

A

Helps convey emotions or feelings allowing them to invoke a deeper emotional response in the reader

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21
Q

Consonance

A

Repetition of a similar consonant sound in consecutive words or words close in proximity

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22
Q

Effect of consonance

A

(Very similar to assonance) creates rhythm in the text and therefore more pleasing to the ear increasing reader engagement

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23
Q

Contrast

A

Rhetorical device in which a writer draws attention to the difference between two characters, things or events

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24
Q

Effect of contrast

A

Writers can make stronger arguments and create stronger statements to further engage the reader

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25
Q

Dichotomy

A

A division in two opposite groups (e.g love and hate)

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26
Q

Effect of dichotomy

A

Can create and build tension in a story line which allows the reader to clearly understand both groups and increase emotional engagement

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27
Q

Diction

A

The words a writer chooses to use to best convey their message

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28
Q

Effect of diction

A

It can emphasise the character’s emotions or repression of emotions. It can also help create a certain tone.

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29
Q

Didacticism

A

When the main purpose of a text is to teach the reader a lesson, often a moral one. It can also apply to characters in a text

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30
Q

Effect of didacticism

A

It prompts deeper thought from the reader and encourages a deeper understanding of the text

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31
Q

Dissonance

A

Use of harsh and interrupting sounds, particularly with use of words that generally don’t work together

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32
Q

Effect of dissonance

A

Creates a tense and uneasy tone which builds suspense for the reader and relays emotions felt by the character

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33
Q

Dramatic irony

A

When the reader or audience are aware of something the characters are not

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34
Q

Effect of dramatic irony

A

Creates suspense as it is inevitable that the characters will come to understand what the audience already know

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35
Q

Ellipsis

A

Often represented as “…” or “-“ and is a pause for dramatic effect

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36
Q

Effect of ellipsis

A

It builds tension by creating silence. It often holds some implied meaning. In this case, it encourages deeper engagement by the reader who must consider the meaning of the ellipsis

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37
Q

Enjambment

A

When a sentence continues beyond the end of a line without use of punctuation

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38
Q

Effect of enjambment

A

Increases the pace of a section of text by forcing the reader to continue reading without a break. This can help build tension or suspense and can be used to indicate a character’s state of mind.

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39
Q

Epigraph

A

A quote, poem, or phrase set at the beginning of a piece of text. This may just be at the beginning of a section

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40
Q

Effect of epigraph

A

Sole purpose is to set the tone of the text. It establishes a certain mood to let the reader know what to expect

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41
Q

Epitome

A

A person or item which is a perfect representation of something else, particularly a quality or concept

42
Q

Effect of epitome

A

Used to draw attention to the writer’s argument that a certain person is a perfect example of something else. It makes the argument more impactful

43
Q

Euphemism

A

Language used to imply something unpleasant or impolite

44
Q

Effect of euphemism

A

Mask the impoliteness of a remark and softens an uncomfortable topic. Often used in Shakespeare as a symbol of character’s superior intellect

45
Q

Foreshadowing

A

A warning of events to come in a text

46
Q

Effect of foreshadowing

A

It increases narrative and the tension by giving readers an implication of what is to come. This is especially potent when used to foreshadow a distressing event whilst the plot is calm

47
Q

Hyperbole

A

Figurative speech used for exaggeration

48
Q

Effect of hyperbole

A

Often adds an element of of comedy and amusement into a text and allows the author to add excitement to a mundane subject

49
Q

Idiom

A

An expression used by native speakers to mean something other than its literal meaning

50
Q

Effect of idiom

A

Used to increase reader engagement by establishing similarities between the text and normal speech. Used to establish character backgrounds or personality

51
Q

Imagery

A

Visually descriptive language used to appeal to the reader’s senses

52
Q

Effect of imagery

A

Increases reader engagement by allowing them to use their imagination to put themselves into the scene

53
Q

Irony

A

Expression of an emotion or thought by using language which typically means the opposite. It is often amusing and injects a degree of comedy into the texts

54
Q

Effect of irony

A

It draws attention to a statement by bringing humour to a situation. It often also introduces a degree of foreshadowing

55
Q

Juxtaposition

A

Two opposing things placed next to each other for contrast

56
Q

Effect of juxtaposition

A

Used to draw attention to the differences between two things. It is useful for establishing character personalities in the context of each other

57
Q

Metaphor

A

A figure of speech in which an object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a similarity between them

58
Q

Effect of metaphor

A

Draw the attention of a reader by engaging their imagination in their interpretation of a metaphor. They create more manageable images in the reader’s mind

59
Q

Microcosm

A

A community or situation intended to represent the characteristics of something much larger

60
Q

Effect of microcosm

A

Used to force the reader to consider the bigger picture, making them examine the wider picture as they read

61
Q

Monologue

A

A long, uninterrupted speech made by a character in a play

62
Q

Effect of monologue

A

Used to provide the audience with more detail about a character or plot point. They help to explain and progress the text’s story line

63
Q

Motif

A

A repeating idea used to dictate tone and emphasise themes

64
Q

Effect of motif

A

Help readers understand characters better and establish a mood of the text. Increases reader engagement

65
Q

Onomatopoeia

A

Words that sound like the word they are describing

66
Q

Effect of onomatopoeia

A

Used in poetry to add depth to a text. It engages the reader’s senses and encourages deeper emotional involvement

67
Q

Oxymoron

A

A figure of speech in which two contradictory terms are used consecutively

68
Q

Effect of oxymoron

A

Draw the reader’s attention; the element of confusion they create causes readers to stop and ponder the meaning of the phrase

69
Q

Paradox

A

A contradictory statement

70
Q

Effect of paradox

A

Creates a sense of confusion or discomfort or contrast two ideas, highlighting each idea

71
Q

Pathetic Fallacy

A

When the weather reflects the mood

72
Q

Effect of pathetic fallacy

A

When a character’s emotions are reflected in their environment, it is easier for the reader to understand and empathise with the character

73
Q

Pathos

A

Evoking a certain feeling in the reader/audience, most often for sadness or pity

74
Q

Effect of pathos

A

Appeals to the emotions of the reader, strengthening connections between the character and reader and thus increasing reader engagement

75
Q

Personification

A

Giving human characteristics to non-humans or inanimate objects

76
Q

Effect of personification

A

Creates depth in a text by giving a voice to otherwise silent, unmoving objects which allows readers to become fully immersed in the text

77
Q

Plosive sounds

A

Harsh sounds associated with the letters p, b, d, g, t which interrupt airflow by closing the mouth

78
Q

Effect of plosive sounds

A

They are harsh and help convey complex emotions like frustration and anger allowing readers to more deeply understand the emotions at play

79
Q

Political diatribe

A

The way a text is written to criticise a political system or belief

80
Q

Effect of political diatribe

A

Used to encourage deeper thought from the reader about the topic at hand. They are intended to force readers to scrutinise their own understanding of the topic

81
Q

Repetition

A

Repeating something that has already been used. This applies to words, phrases, motifs etc

82
Q

Effect of repetition

A

Emphasises a point or motif as it makes it clear that is something important to the text

83
Q

Rhyme

A

When two words have a similar sound, particularly at the end of the word

84
Q

Effect of rhyme

A

Makes a text more interesting and memorable and adds rhythm to the text. This can evoke deeper emotion or emphasise how trivial an idea is

85
Q

Rhythm

A

The way a writer arranges stressed or unstressed vowel sounds to dictate the way a text is read

86
Q

Effect of rhythm

A

It makes a text more semantically and verbally appealing to the reader

87
Q

Satire

A

Amusement towards a flawed subject as a commentary on its flaws

88
Q

Effect of satire

A

Used in literature to draw attention to political and social events

89
Q

Simile

A

A figure of speech in which an object or idea is compared ti another to suggest a similarity between them

90
Q

Effect of simile

A

It draws the attention of the reader by engaging their imagination. They create more manageable images in the reader’s mind

91
Q

Sibilance

A

Repetition of hissing sounds, such as alliteration using the letter ‘s’

92
Q

Effect of sibilance

A

It draws attention to certain phrases or sentences. It is frequently used to create a negative atmosphere

93
Q

Soliloquy

A

A monologue intended only to be heard by the audience and the character speaking. They are most often used to explain the inner thoughts of a character

94
Q

Effect of soliloquy

A

Give an insight into the internal happenings of characters in the play, often explaining things we otherwise wouldn’t have found out

95
Q

Symbolism

A

Use of symbols to represent an idea or context

96
Q

Effect of symbolism

A

Used to convey complex ideas in a relatively simple way. It gives the readers a visual to focus on which becomes synonymous with the symbol. The reader will think about the meaning each time they encounter the symbol

97
Q

Syntax

A

The way words are arranged in a sentence

98
Q

Effect of syntax

A

Helps writers establish mood and tone and works in combination with diction to express the writer’s thoughts and feelings on a topic

99
Q

Tone

A

The literary manifestation of a writer’s thoughts and feelings on a certain topic. This encompasses diction and use of other devices

100
Q

Effect of tone

A

Reflects the writer’s feelings and thus creates a connection between the reader and author

GCSE ENGLISH LIT (48 decks)

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