Technique
Definition
Example
Alliteration
The occurrence of the same letter or
sound at the beginning of words close
to each other.
A person or thing that is the direct
opposite of someone or something
else
When two or more words close to
one another repeat the same vowel
sound but start with different
consonant sounds.
Brilliant birds
Slithering snake
Sweet birds sang
Love is the antithesis of
selfishness
Antithesis
Assonance
Atmosphere
Cliché
Colloquialism
Connotation
Ellipsis
Foregrounding
Figurative
language
Idiom
Imagery
Imperative
Irony
Atmosphere refers to emotions or
feelings an author conveys to his
readers through description of objects
and settings
A phrase or opinion that is overused
and betrays a lack of original thought.
The use of informal words, phrases or
even slang in a piece of writing.
We light fire on the
mountain.
I feel depressed and
restless.
Time heals all wounds
Frightened to death
Wanna
Gonna
Go nuts
The feelings or associations with
The word ‘discipline’ has
words/phrases which helps to find the unhappy connotations of
hidden meaning.
punishment and repression
A situation in which words are left out "What percentage was
of a sentencebut the sentence can
left?" "20." (= 20 percent)
still be understood – symbol = …
To make something the most
prominent or important feature.
Figurative language is using figures of Metaphors, similes
speech to be more effective,
persuasive or impactful
A group of words established by
Over the moon
usage as having a meaning not explicit See the light
in those of the individual words
Visually descriptive or figurative
language, especially in a literary work.
Imperative verbs are verbs which
Stop
create a sentence that gives an order Bring
– bossy verbs
Stand (as in ‘stand up.’)
1. The expression of one's
“Don’t go overboard with
meaning by using language
gratitude” – to someone
that normally signifies the
who hasn’t said thank you.
opposite, typically for
You laugh at a person who
humorous or emphatic effect. slipped stepping on a
banana peel and the next
Juxtaposition
Simile
Metaphor
Monosyllabic
words
Onomatopoeia
Parallelism
Parenthetical
remark
Personification
Sarcasm
2. A state of affairs or an event
that seems deliberately
contrary to what one expects
and is often wryly amusing as
a result.
The fact of two things being seen or
placed close together with
contrasting effect.
A figure of speech involving the
comparison of one thing with another
thing of a different kind, using ‘like’ or
‘as.’
A figure of speech in which a word or
phrase is applied to an object or
action to which it is not literally
applicable – where you say something
is something else.
Where a word consists of one syllable
It was the best of times, it
was the worst of times.
As bright as a button
As fierce as a lion
Like the wild sea
He is winter.
The house was a pocket of
tension.
Yes
No
The formation of a word from a sound Bang
associated with what is named
Crash
Sizzle
The use of components in a sentence Like father, like son.
that are grammatically the same; or
Easy come, easy go.
similar in their construction, sound,
meaning
A parenthetical remark is one that
“I’m hungry, but I only want
explains or qualifies something.
to eat chips.”
The attribution of human
“The clock face stared at me
characteristics to something nonmenacingly.”
human.
“The use of irony to mock or convey
“That’s okay, you have the
contempt.”
last cake. I’m sure you
needed it more than me.”
Syntax
The arrangement of words and phrases
to create well-formed sentences in a
language.
Proper noun
Common noun
Adjective
Names people or places
Names things
Describes a noun, gives more
information about it
Describes an action
Describes a verb, gives more
information about it.
Verb
Adverb
thing you know, you’ve
slipped too.
Fay, Tim, London, Australia
Table, chair, boy, girl
Beautiful, stunning,
disgraceful, angry
Walks, sashays, bounces
Angrily, happily, joyfully.