Metalanguage Flashcards
What is an adjective? Purposes?
Describing word or phrase. Adds detail to make text more interesting, provides description, can imply something positive or negative
Alliteration and assonance
Repetition of the initial constant sound (alliteration) or vowel sound (assonance). Adds emphasis, reinforces meaning, draws attention to key words or ideas, creates an emotive image, memorable
Appeal
Attempt to persuade through emotional manipulation, targeting particular interests or concerns. Triggers an emotional response. Evokes feelings
Attack
Means of criticising or opposing an individual or idea. Belittles opponents arguments, may lead to weight on authors arguments. Helps argue from a position of authority, can offend or alienate if overdone
Bias
Overt preference or sympathy for a particular point of view. Can strengthen argument. Can undermine argument.
Cliche
Overused or hackneyed phrase or opinion that shows lack of original thought. Can sway by appealing with something familiar, can inform, may alienate sophisticated audiences
Colourful language
Vulgar or rude language, particularly unusual or distinct expressions. Can provide humour, may offend, establishes informality
Connotation
Positive or negative implications. Language that evokes an idea or feeling, positive or negative. Encourages audience to accept an implication, seeks to persuade an audience to have a similar view
Design and structure
The appearance and layout of a text, including colour font selection and page presentation. Persuades through association, establishes genre and context, can manipulate audience emotions
Euphemism
Mild or vague expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or direct eg. ‘Pass away’ instead of ‘die’. Can soften the blow. Can alienate or confuse
Evidence
Material used to support an argument
Exaggeration or hyperbole
Overstatement used to imply something is better or worse, more or less important ect. Hyperbole is a deliberately extreme form of exaggeration used for dramatic effect and humour
Formal and informal language
Formal: more elaborate, precise, sophisticated. Informal: colloquial, everyday slang terms.
Generalisation
Broad statements inferred from specific cases
Gesture and body language
Use of body and face to communicate meaning
Humour
The quality to be amusing, through the use of puns, irony, sarcasm, satire, wit
Imagery and figurative language
Use of images and metaphorical language to illustrate points and make comparisons, similes and metaphors etc
Inclusive and exclusive language
Use of personal pronouns to either involve or distinguish or alienate
Irony
Humour found in contradictory situations often highlighted through use of sarcasm.
Logic
Reason, the use of justifiable and valid arguments
Noun
Naming word or phrase
Repitition
Reuse or words or phrases for effect
Rhetorical question
Question that doesn’t need an answer because answer is obvious or implied
Sarcasm
Use of irony to mock or show contempt by implying the opposite of what is actually being said
