Key Language Techniques - English

Question	Answer
Word Choice	Quote concisely and explain connotations.
Simile	A comparison using "like" or "as".
Metaphor	When something is described as if it IS something else.
Personification	Ascribing human qualities to something non-living.
Alliteration	A series of words beginning with the same consonant sound.
Onomatopoeia	Words which imitate sounds.
Pun	A play on words which have similar sounds but different meanings - usually for humorous purposes.
Hyperbole	Exaggeration. Often to be humorous or to emphasise something.
Euphemism	Using "pleasant", "less offensive" language to convey unpleasant truth.
Oxymoron	Contrasting words placed side-by-side. E.G. "deafening silence".
Repetition	When a word or phrase is repeated as to emphasise it.
List	A series of items or ideas placed one after another, usually to build up detail about something.
Inversion	Unusual word order in a sentence - e.g. "Hellish it was."
Colon	':' Often used to introduce a list, explanation or example.
Semi-colon	';' Often used to separate longer items in a list or to create a balance sentence.
Inverted Commas	“...” Often used to create an ironic tone or indicate words that the writer him or herself would not use.

	Created by VEJackson almost 5 years ago

A varied list of language techniques, good to know for close reading/ in general etc.