Terminol-

Definition Examples
ogy
As big as a whale; float
A comparison using 'like' or 'as' to
simile like a butterfly, sting like
create a vivid image.
a bee
A comparison made without using Sea of troubles' and
metaphor
'like' or 'as'. 'drowning in debt'
A type of imagery in which non-hu- The jaws of the cave,
personifica-
man objects, animals or ideas are the leaves danced in
tion
given human characteristics. the breeze
The environment (usually the The fog crept evilly
pathetic fal-
weather) reflects the mood of the through the streets as
lacy
character or scene. he stalked his victim.
The sounds of words to express or
ono-
underline their meaning, sensory im- Crunch, pop, screech
matopoeia
agery.
The repetition of the same sounds
alliteration Reuse, renew, recycle
usually at the beginning of words.
The repetition of vowel sounds in a Harsh bark, moonlit
assonance
series of words. pool
rule of Repetition in a group of three to Freedom, equality, and
three strengthen an idea or argument. justice
Red is a colour - but
connota- Implied meanings suggested by a
can imply danger, anger
tions word rather than its literal meanings.
and stop.
I have ten tonnes of
hyperbole Over-the-top exaggeration for effect.
homework to do.
Words, phrases or ideas that are re- This is serious, incredi-
repetition
peated for effect. bly serious.
rhetorical A question asked for effect with no Do you think that I’m
questions answer expected. made of money?
emotive Words chosen to bring an emotional Defenceless, hard-
language response. hearted
Feature Purpose Effect on the reader
The start of a text must in- Comment on how the writer intro-
openings
terest the reader. duces ideas and raises questions.
Analyse what is implied, eg a gloomy
This is what the writer fo-
landscape implies an unhappy situa-
focus cuses on as the text devel-
tion - what is causing that unhappi-
ops.
ness? What will happen next?
Changes in ideas and per-
Comment on how this change is ef-
shifts spectives, eg outside to in-
fective, eg creates contrast.
side.
The differences between Comment on the effect a drastic dif-
contrast
two things. ference produces.
repetition When words, phrases or Repetitive features can highlight key
or pat- ideas are repeated for ef- meanings, indicate a development or
terns fect. show a lack of change.
Ask what effect is created by altering
The feeling of speed in the
the pace, eg a slow pace builds ten-
writing – are events and
pace sion or suggests boredom, a quicker
ideas revealed to the
pace may suit a piece about things
reader slowly or quickly?
happening at speed.
temporal Comment on how time is used to
refer- References to time. speed up or slow down the pace of
ences the text.
This could be chronologi-
cal or writers might choose Comment on how the order of
order of to start at the end, in the events introduces and prioritises key
events middle, or with ideas – and how this engages the
flashbacks / flash for- reader.
wards.
The conclusion of a text Think about how the reader feels at
endings may be neat or leave us the end. Have their feelings changed
with questions. since the opening?
withhold- Clues and hints are given Analyse what is implied by hints –
 ing infor- without revealing every- how does this build the reader’s ex-
mation thing at once. pectations?
Conversations and How does dialogue move the text
dialogue
speech. forward?
headings, Divides the content of
subhead- texts into topics and sub How do they guide readers through
ings and topics, can signal the start a text?
questions of new points.
Bullets can summarise
Why does the writer summarise cer-
bullets and simplify a range of
tain points?
ideas.
Comment on how sentence struc-
sentence Varied types of sentences,
tures affect the fluency of the text,
struc- eg simple, compound and
eg a sudden short sentence could
tures complex.
reveal shocking information.
These vary like sentences Comment on how paragraph lengths
para-
eg, to highlight significant affect the development of the text,
graph
points or to provide a de- eg a final paragraph might sum-
lengths
tailed account. marise key points in an argument.

Language features

Nouns

Naming words. They may be:

• concrete – naming objects, eg table, car

• abstract – naming ideas and feelings, eg adventure, pride
• proper – naming people, places, days, months etc, eg Marie, Sweden, Mon-
day (always capital letters)
Adjectives

• words that describe nouns, eg green, huge, sparkly

Verbs

Words that describe actions and states of being:

• action words (do/feel/be), eg run, hide, think

• past tense, eg I played the recorder
• present tense, eg he walks to the shops
• future tense, eg she will go home later
Adverbs

• words that describe verbs and adjectives, eg quickly, patiently

Pronouns

Someone or something, the subject of the sentence:

• first person, eg I, we, me, my, our, us

• second person, eg you, yours, yourself
• third person, eg he, she, they, them, theirs
Prepositions

• words used to show where something is in place or time, eg at, for, with, af-
ter, to, over, from, into

• Is the text in the first person or third person? Is it personal or impersonal?

• Which tense has the writer chosen, eg past or present? What effect does this
have?
• How sentences are structured, eg short and simple – to pack a punch - or is listing
used to suggest boredom or to pick up the pace?