Colloquial language- Ordinary conversational english rather than formal speech or
writing. Readers relate to the text as the mood is relaxed and free flowing.
Formal language- Creates a serious and informative mood.
Slang - Informal language; words and expressions that are heard conversationally.
Used to relate to readers or to take on a certain type of character.
Connotations- All the meanings, associations, or emotions that a word suggests.
Can be positive or negative. Often links to a deeper meaning in the text.
Nouns- Concrete or Abstract people, places or things.
Verbs- Action words, increases the sense of the pace of text.
Adjectives-Words that describe nouns or pronouns. Can give the text a certain pace
or tone.
Onomatopoeia-Words that imitate the sound e.g. plop pow zoom. Used to bring the
story to life.
Alliteration-Repetition of initial consonant sounds. Used to bring attention to that
sentence, as it’s usually important to the story or poem in some way.
Assonance-Repeated vowel sound. Sets mood, often subconsciously. Mood is
based on what the sentence is saying.
Rhyme- Used to make the reader feel calm, as the reading is predictable and stable.
Sibilance-A type of alliteration in which the "s" sound is repeated. Reminds readers
of snakes. (Not trustworthy, slippery, dangerous, clever etc)
Imagery-The use of language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a
person, thing, place, or experience. Usually used to set a certain mood or tone for
the text. Also sometimes used to make the reader feel a certain emotion.
Similies
A type of Imagery - , Compares two different things using like or as. That comparison
usually reveals something important about the author’s opinion or experience.
Metaphors
A type of Imagery - , describe one thing as if it were something else. This usually
reveals something important about the author’s opinion or experience
Extended Metaphor
A type of Imagery - A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or
throughout a work. Gives power to the idea.
Personification
A type of Imagery - The act of attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas.
Helps reader connect to piece more, and understand non-human things better.
Hyperbole
A type of Imagery – Overstatement to create effect.
Rhetorical Questions
A type of Imagery - Questions not expecting an answer. Used to prove a point.
Allusions-A reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or
another work of literature - readers are assumed to know what it means.
Comparatives-Compares two things or two groups to help show an idea.
Imperative-Orders (the reader) to do something, gives the writer control.
Irony-Witty language used to show insults or scorn.