subject terminology

Question 1

Adjective

Answer 1

Describes a noun, gives more information about it

Beautiful, stunning, disgraceful, angry

Question 2

An autobiography

Answer 2

a person’s life story written by themselves.

Question 3

Adverb

Answer 3

Describes a verb, gives more information about it.

Angrily, happily, joyfully

Question 4

Allegory

Answer 4

A type of writing in which the settings, characters, or events stand for other, often
larger ideas

The novel Animal Farm appears to be about a group of animals, but they represent larger ideas about revolution and politic

Question 5

Alliteration

Answer 5

The same letter or sound at the beginning of words close to each other.

Brilliant birds
Slithering snake
Sweet birds sang

Question 6

Allusion

Answer 6

Making reference to people, places, events, literary works, myths, or works of art

‘Don’t be such a Scrooge’
‘Is there a good Samaritan who can
help me?

Question 7

Anaphora

Answer 7

Repetition of a word or phrase at the
beginning of successive sentences, phrases
or clauses

‘It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times

Question 8

Antithesis

Answer 8

A person or thing that is the direct
opposite of someone or something else

Love is the antithesis of hate

Question 9

Assonance

Answer 9

When two or more words close to one
another repeat the same vowel sound but
start with different consonant sounds.

We light fire on the mountain.
I feel depressed and restless.

Question 10

Characterisation

Answer 10

How a character is introduced and
developed, through what the writer
informs us about them

‘the noble Harry Potter’
‘good Harry Potter’

Question 11

Cliché

Answer 11

A phrase or opinion that is overused and
shows a lack of original thought.

Time heals all wounds
Frightened to death

Question 12

Colloquialism

Answer 12

The use of informal words, phrases or even
slang.

Wanna
Gonna
Go nuts

Question 13

Connotation

Answer 13

The feelings or associations suggested by
words/phrases. These can help to find the
hidden meaning.

The word ‘discipline’ has unhappy
connotations of punishment and
repression

Question 14

Figurative language

Answer 14

Using figures of speech (metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification) to be more effective, persuasive or impactful

Metaphors, similes, hyperbole,
personification

Question 15

Foreboding

Answer 15

When it is implied that something bad or
dangerous will happen

Dark clouds could suggest that trouble is on the way

Question 16

Foreshadowing

Answer 16

Suggesting what is to come later in the piece of writing through imagery, language and/or symbolism

‘take care of yourselves - and don’t
leave the path!’

Question 17

Hyperbole

Answer 17

Deliberate exaggeration (often used to persuade).

‘I’ve told you a thousand times not
to do that’

Question 18

Imagery

Answer 18

Visually descriptive language (‘painting a picture with words’)

The night was black as ever, but
bright stars lit up the sky

Question 19

Irony

Answer 19

Using language that normally signifies the opposite of what you actually mean, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. A state of affairs or an event that seems to be the opposite to what we expect.

“Don’t go overboard with
gratitude” – to someone who
hasn’t said thank you.
You laugh at a person who slipped
stepping on a banana peel and the
next thing you know, you’ve
slipped too.

Question 20

idiom

Answer 20

an expression

Question 21

Juxtaposition

Answer 21

Two contrasting ideas placed close
together

It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times.

Question 22

Metaphor

Answer 22

Saying something is something else. A direct comparison which is not meant literally.

He is winter.
The house was a pocket of tension.

Question 23

Narrative voice

Answer 23

How the story is told to the reader, the point of view from which we hear the events that happen

‘I’m going to share a story with
you…’

Question 24

Onomatopoeia

Answer 24

The formation of a word from an associated sound (a ‘sound effect’)

Bang
Crash
Sizzle

Question 25

Oxymoron

Answer 25

A phrase using contradictory terms (words placed together which mean the opposite to one another).

organised mess
controlled chaos
adult child
loving hate

Question 26

Pathetic fallacy

Answer 26

The use of weather (or another part of nature) to express emotions of a scene or character.

‘When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning or in rain’

Question 27

Personification

Answer 27

Using human characteristics to describe something non-human.

“The clock face stared at me
menacingly.”

Question 28

Prefix

Answer 28

Added at the beginning of a word in order to turn it into another word.

Un e.g. unlucky
Dis e.g. disorder

Question 29

Pronoun

Answer 29

Replaces a noun or noun phrase

I, you, we, he, she, me, my, our, your

Question 30

Repetition

Answer 30

Repeating a sound, word, phrase or stanza for effect.

‘Tomorrow and tomorrow and
tomorrow’ ’

Question 31

Rhetorical
question

Answer 31

A question which does not require an answer

‘How many times have I told you
not to do that?’

Question 32

Semantic field

Answer 32

When a group of words all link to one overall theme.

Semantic field of nature
flowers
plants
trees
grass
leaves

Question 33

Simile

Answer 33

The comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using ‘like’ or ‘as.’

As bright as a button
As fierce as a lion
Like the wild sea

Question 34

Suffix

Answer 34

to turn it into another word.

-ment e.g. embarrassment
-ness e.g. sadness

Question 35

Syllable

Answer 35

Sounds like a beat in a word. Syllables consist of at least one vowel, and possibly one or more consonants.

ha-ppy (2 syllables)
pos-i-tive (3 syllables)
com-pli-ca-ted (4 syllables)

Question 36

Symbolism

Answer 36

Where the writer uses a ‘thing’ (usually a physical object) to represent deeper meanings or themes.

Harry Potter’s scar is a symbol of
his bravery
Bears are often seen as symbols of
courage

Question 37

Syntax

Answer 37

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences

The boy jumped happily
Happily, the boy jumped (here the
syntax is varied)

Question 38

Tone

Answer 38

The writer’s attitude or emotion conveyed through the text
(e.g., sarcastic, optimistic).

Example: A sarcastic tone might show the writer’s criticism of an idea.

Question 39

Tricolon (Rule of Three)

Answer 39

A trio of words, phrases, or clauses to create a memorable effect.

Example: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Question 40

Epistrophe

Answer 40

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Example: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”

Question 41

Anecdote

Answer 41

A brief personal story to illustrate a point.

Example: “When I was a child, I learned the value of hard work by helping on the family farm.”

Question 42

Bias

Answer 42

A writer’s preference or prejudice towards a particular viewpoint.

Example: “This article shows clear bias towards renewable energy.”

Question 43

Statistics/Data

Answer 43

Use of numerical evidence to support an argument.

Example: “90% of people agree that climate change is a critical issue.”

Question 44

Juvenalian Satire - HISTORY

Answer 44

Harsh, biting satire to criticize or mock.

Example: A political cartoon exposing corruption.

Question 45

paradox