Language Devices
All: To develop ideas suited to a
form of writing (WAF1 – L5)
Most: To explain how an effect
has been created (RAF6 – L6)
Create this table in your book
Language
device
Simile
Metaphor
Pathetic fallacy
Personification
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Oxymoron
Example
Effect on the reader
Simile = A simile is when you
compare one thing to another
using the words ‘as’ or ‘like’
The mixture is as sticky as toffee.
She moves like a dancer.
‘hard and clear like an equestrian statue
upon its pedestal’
‘glimmered like a ghost’
Make up your own…
• The moon glowed like . . . . . .
• His face was as red as……..
• Raindrops dripped down the window pane
like . . . . . .
• Smoke floated on the air like . . . . . .
• The air smells as fresh as . . . . . .
Copy this table into your books
Language device
Example
Effect on the reader
Simile
‘glimmered like a ghost’
This creates a clear comparison
with a ghost which makes the
reader think…
Metaphor = when one thing is
compared to another
•
•
•
•
•
•
A shark’s restaurant
A lion’s roar
A quilt of blue
‘slanting rays of low
sun turning the
streams to threads of
gold’
‘Deathly silence’
‘the very dead of
night’
Make up your own…
The dark is …
The sun is…
The trees are……
Language device
Example
Effect on the reader
Simile
‘glimmered like a ghost’
This creates a clear comparison
with a ghost which makes the
reader think…
Metaphor
‘
Can be a surprising comparison,
could symbolise…., could shock
the reader into thinking…
Personification = when inanimate (not
moving/living) objects are given the qualities or
actions of a living person or creature.
• ‘The dilapidated house appeared
depressed.
• My computer throws a fit every time I try
to use it.
• Time flew and before we knew it, it was
time to go home.
• The popcorn leapt out of the bowl.
Can you think of any?
Language device
Example
Effect on the reader
Simile
‘glimmered like a ghost’
This creates a clear comparison
with a ghost which makes the
reader think…
Metaphor
‘
Can be a surprising comparison,
could symbolise…., could shock
the reader into thinking…
Personification
‘
Helps the reader to understand
something that’s more complex
abstract helps the reader to
empathise…
Pathetic fallacy = similar to personification
only applied to the nature.
• Angry clouds
• A cruel wind
• The stars danced playfully in a moonlit
sky.
• The flowers waltzed in the gentle breeze.
Your turn
A ………….. sky/tree/wave…
Language device
Example
Effect on the reader
Simile
‘glimmered like a ghost’
This creates a clear comparison
with a ghost which makes the
reader think…
Metaphor
‘
Can be a surprising comparison,
could symbolise…., could shock
the reader into thinking…
Personification
‘
Helps the reader to understand
something that’s more complex
abstract helps the reader to
empathise…
Pathetic fallacy
‘
Helps to reflect atmosphere /
rising tension in the plot. Could
foreshadow events in the story.
Alliteration = Is the repetition of consonant
sounds near each other:
•
•
•
•
•
sweet smell of success
bigger and better
jump for joy
‘sinking sun’
‘foaming the fantastic surges’
Can you think of any?
Language device
Example
Effect on the reader
Simile
‘glimmered like a ghost’
This creates a clear comparison
with a ghost which makes the
reader think…
Metaphor
‘
Can be a surprising comparison,
could symbolise…., could shock
the reader into thinking…
Personification
‘
Helps the reader to understand
something that’s more complex
abstract helps the reader to
empathise…
Pathetic fallacy
‘
Helps to reflect atmosphere /
rising tension in the plot. Could
foreshadow events in the story.
Alliteration
‘
Helps to connect words together
Adds emphasis
Creates a sound dimension that’s
memorable
Helps to generate a mood
Onomatopoeia means a word that sounds
like the common sound of the object it is
describing.
• Plop went the penny in the water.
• My cola fizzed in the glass.
• Splash went my friend in the stream.
• The snake hissed.
• The train went choo choo!
• The birds are cawing.
Can you think of any?
Language
device
Example
Effect on the reader
Simile
‘glimmered like a
ghost’
This creates a clear comparison with a ghost
which makes the reader think…
Metaphor
‘
Can be a surprising comparison, could
symbolise…., could shock the reader into
thinking…
Personification
‘
Helps the reader to understand something
that’s more complex
abstract helps the reader to empathise…
Pathetic fallacy
‘
Helps to reflect atmosphere / rising tension in
the plot. Could foreshadow events in the
story.
Alliteration
‘
Helps to connect words together
Adds emphasis
Creates a sound dimension that’s memorable
Helps to generate a mood
Onomatopoeia
‘
Offers the reader a sound dimension which
forces them to think.
Adds impact as the reader would think about
the two comparisons.
Could be evocative
Oxymoron = words close together that have
opposite meanings
•
•
•
•
•
•
We’re alone together
The living dead
It’s the same difference
She’s pretty ugly
He gave him a head butt
It was like a silent scream
Language
device
Example
Effect on the reader
Simile
‘glimmered like a ghost’
This creates a clear comparison with a ghost which makes
the reader think…
Metaphor
‘A lifetime is a day, death is
sleep; a lifetime is a year,
death is winter..’
Can be a surprising comparison, could symbolise…., could
shock the reader into thinking…
Pathetic fallacy
‘The leaves danced with the
wind’
Helps to reflect atmosphere / rising tension in the plot.
Could foreshadow events in the story.
Personification
‘The sun smiled upon us’
‘The warm weather
welcomed us’
Helps the reader to understand something that’s more
complex
abstract helps the reader to empathise…
Alliteration
‘Film titles: Dirty Dancing,
King Kong, Captains
Courageous, Revolutionary
Road, Donnie Darko, What
Women Want
Helps to connect words together
Adds emphasis
Creates a sound dimension that’s memorable
Helps to generate a mood
Onomatopoeia
‘Glug glug glug’ Drinking
sound.
‘Boom!’ sound of a bomb
Offers the reader a sound dimension which forces them to
think.
Adds impact as the reader would think about the two
comparisons.
Could be evocative
Oxymoron
‘Bitter sweet’
‘Deafening silence’
‘Irregular pattern’
Contrasts help to create conflicts
Paradoxically this show…
Is ironic as the reader would think…