NCEA Level 1 English – terminology to be familiar with
Abstract Noun
A word that names something intangible, something than cannot be
seen or touched (love, hate, honour, freedom, liberty).
Acronym
An abbreviation that is pronounced as a word (NATO, SADD, HART,
SCUBA, QANTAS)
Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds, especially initial consonants. (safe
secure surfing).
Allusion
A reference to a well-known piece of literature, or a historical event
or character. (don’t let ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’
stop your …..)
Analogy
The comparing of one situation in order to clarify another (having the
new Hoover vacuum cleaner is like having an electric housemaid)
Ambiguity
Where an expression has more than one meaning (the new
Hoovermatic vacuum cleaner cleans up the opposition)
Anticlimax
A drop from the serious to the ridiculous. A disappointing of
ineffective conclusion used often used for humorous effect in
advertising (The new Nissan Sentra is outstanding with its ABS
brakes, excellent fuel economy, aerodynamically designed body,
twin air bags and four wheels that go round and round.)
Antithesis
The setting of one thing against another to provide contrast (small
car, big engine).
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds, with the same or different consonants
(the last farce…..)
Cliché
A hackneyed, overused phrase (‘the best in the business’).
Colloquialism
A word or phrase that is appropriate to informal language. ‘familiar
speech’ (wind up the party with Panasonic’s new….)
Comparative
The form of an adjective (or an adverb) indicating the greater of two
(for better results and clearer skin choose…..)
Complex sentence
A sentence containing one main (independent) clause and at least
one subordinate (dependent) clause.
Compound sentence
A sentence containing at least two main (independent) clauses.
Compound-complex
sentence
A sentence containing at least two main (independent) clauses and
one or more subordinate clauses.
Compoundpremodifier
A double-barrelled adjective that makes use of a hyphen for
grammatical sense (state-of-the-art suspension….)
Compounding
The linking of two existing words to form a new word (inkjet printer)
Connotation
An implied or suggested meaning. Often emotive response to a
word (smell versus fragrance or scent or stink ….. each carries
different connotations). Compare with denotation.
Contraction
Omission of a letter or letters in a word, replaced by an apostrophe
(don’t).
Denotation
The dictionary definition of the word, not the associated or
connotative meanings.
Dialogue
Conversation
Ellipsis
The omission from a sentence of a word or words that would
complete the construction (represented by three dots…)
Euphemism
A softer, less direct way of saying something (passed away = died)
Exclamation
Used to add ’punch’ express strong feelings. (The Ute with the
most!)
Familiar Symbol
Something, which is accepted as representing something else.
Hyperbole
Exaggeration for effect (the new phone that’s out of this world).
Imagery
The use of language to represent objects, actions, feelings, thoughts,
ideas ….. to create images in the mind of the audience/receiver.
Can be literal … use of good adjectives/verbs or figurative using
metaphor, simile, personification.
Imperative
A command (Buy now! Use sunlight when you wash your dishes)
Irony
The humorous, sometimes sarcastic use of words to imply the
opposite of what they actually mean (used in the ‘Tui’ advertisements
with an ironic phrase followed by “Yeah right”).
Jargon
Specialised language used by a particular group/groups
(“….including a 2.1GB Quantum Mode 4 Hard Drive”)
Metaphor
A direct comparison where one thing is described as another. (The
alarm is a security blanket for all the family).
Minor sentence
Generally a sentence that does not contain a finite verb ….. Note
that finite verbs show tense, for example “He walked” or “They rode”
(The best stapler!).
Neologism
A newly coined/invented word or phrase (Ezibuy).
Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like the noise they describe (the drip of the tap)
Parallel construction/
structure
A sentence or succession of sentences where the same group of
words are repeated in the same order (tired of that old washing
machine, tired of leaks on the floor, if you …..)
Personal pronouns
Particularly relevant are second person pronouns …. You, your, etc
as they appeal to the audience (Have you tried our new ….)
Personification
The attributing of human characteristics to something not human (the
sheepskin that cuddles your kids to sleep).
Pun
A word with a double meaning, often clever/witty. (You’ll survive any
close shave with a Philishave razor).
Register
The level of one’s language, either written or spoken (formal, semiformal, informal, colloquial, slang, personal, poetic).
Rhetorical question
A question asked for effect, may not need an answer or the answer
may be obvious (Would you like a holiday?)
Simile
A comparison of one object with another, using like, as or than (white
as a sheet).
Slogan
A catchphrase closely associated with the product. Often repeated
in conjunction with the name of the product. (Nissan, built for the
human race).
Superlative
The absolute of a verb form (best, greatest, smallest, most, etc).
Tone
The feelings conveyed in the text (warning, pleading, encouraging,
optimistic, business-like etc).