Key Language Techniques - English

Question	Answer
Word Choice	Quote concisely and explain connotations.
Simile	A comparison using "like" or "as".
Metaphor	When something is described as if it IS something else.
Personification	Ascribing human qualities to something non-living.
Alliteration	A series of words beginning with the same consonant sound.
Onomatopoeia	Words which imitate sounds.
Pun	A play on words which have similar sounds but different meanings - usually for humorous purposes.
Hyperbole	Exaggeration. Often to be humorous or to emphasise something.
Euphemism	Using "pleasant", "less offensive" language to convey unpleasant truth.
Oxymoron	Contrasting words placed side-by-side. E.G. "deafening silence".
Repetition	When a word or phrase is repeated as to emphasise it.
List	A series of items or ideas placed one after another, usually to build up detail about something.
Inversion	Unusual word order in a sentence - e.g. "Hellish it was."
Colon	':' Often used to introduce a list, explanation or example.
Semi-colon	';' Often used to separate longer items in a list or to create a balance sentence.
Inverted Commas	“...” Often used to create an ironic tone or indicate words that the writer him or herself would not use.

Resource summary

	Created by VEJackson almost 10 years ago