Glossary of Verbal Language Terms
Verbal language techniques
Alliteration
Repeated use of same letter or sound in several words or in a phrase. e.g. Fifty Fathers Fight For
Freedom
Assonance
Repeating vowel sounds for aural effect. e.g. The gloom of the blue room surrounded me.
Clichés
Overused phrase or opinion. e.g. as good as gold;
Cluster of three
Often three words or phrases are grouped in threes e.g. Better choice. Better prices. Better buy
Brownies.
Colloquial language
Language suitable for ordinary conversation, (not formal). e.g. gidday!
Comparatives
Adjective form ending in -er e.g. smoother, lovelier
Compound words
Two words joined sometimes by a hyphen, to make one word. e.g. blackbird;
Connotation
Writers use words with negative or positive connotation or association to convey their attitude to the
reader. e.g. strolling down the street without a care in the world, hand in hand with your adoring
parents.
Contractions
Abbreviated verb form which shows informality e.g. didn't instead of did not.
Contrast / Juxtaposition
Using opposites in close proximity to highlight ideas. e.g. The sky is the limit but you must remain
grounded.
Emotive language
Words used to excite or arouse feeling; to appeal to our emotions.
Exclamations
Words used with an exclamation mark to draw attention to something. e.g. Buy today!
Hyperbole
Statement exaggerated for special effect. e.g. Millions of savings to be had.
Imperatives
Use of the command form of the verb. e.g. Buy one today. Drive safely.
Incomplete sentences
Sentences which are not finished. e.g. What, do you think of.....
Jargon
Words or expressions used by particular group or profession. These words have specialised meaning
e.g. byte, ram
Listing
A list used to emphasise points. e.g. This affects us all: Year 9s, 10s, 11s, 12s and 13s.
Metaphor
Comparing one thing to something else to create a word picture; saying something is something else
or speaking as though it is something else. e.g. The blazing sky.
Onomatopoeia
A word which sounds like the thing or concept being described. e.g. bang or crash
Parallel structure / triple construction
Repetition of similar sentence structures e.g. I have a dream... I have a dream…I have a dream
Personal pronouns / direct address
Use of I, we(first person), you(second person), they, them(third person) etc to either include or
exclude groups of people. e.g. Your country needs YOU!
Personification
Giving human qualities to non-human or inanimate things. e.g. Life dealt him a heavy blow.
Puns
Humorous use of word to suggest different meanings, or of words of same sound with different
meanings. e.g. The Importance of Being Earnest (Ernest)
Quotation
Using well known sayings from sources such as the bible, film, proverbs or television or using the
words of a well known person or expert. e.g. Turn the other cheek; shaken not stirred.
Repetition
Deliberate use of the same word more than once. e.g. water, water everywhere
Rhetorical questions
Asked not for information but to produce effect. No answer expected. e.g. Do you want to be left out?
Rhyme
Use of similar sounds between endings of words or verse-lines. This can be used within a line also. e.g.
The pork on your fork!
Similes
Comparison of one thing with another, (a thing is like something else). e.g. The car runs like the wind.
Slogans
Short catchy phrase used in advertising. e.g. If you drink then drive, you're a bloody idiot.
Superlatives
Adjective form ending in --est. e.g. prettiest, best,