Language Devices (effect + meaning)

Pathetic fallacy

The weather/atmosphere describes the mood.

Pathetic fallacy Effect

Reflects emotions, builds atmosphere, and mirrors character feelings.

Personification

Non‑living objects are given human characteristics.

Personification Effect

Makes abstract or inanimate things vivid and relatable.

Simile

Comparing two things using like/as.

Simile Effect

Creates imagery and helps readers understand through comparison.

Metaphor

Comparing two things using is/are.

Metaphor Effect

Adds depth, symbolism, and emotional resonance.

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor that unfolds, using many interrelated metaphors.

Extended Metaphor Effect

Builds sustained imagery and reinforces themes.

Oxymoron

Two opposite words placed next to each other.

Oxymoron Effect

Creates irony, tension, or highlights contradictions.

Juxtaposition

Compare or contrast two concepts/words.

Juxtaposition Effect

Illuminates complex ideas and highlights differences.

Symbolism

Linking objects to a wider meaning.

Symbolism Effect

Adds layers of meaning and reinforces themes.

Semantic Field

Linking a group of words in a text to one idea.

Semantic Field Effect

Creates cohesion and reinforces subject matter.

Irony

Expression of something contrary to intended meaning.

Irony Effect

Adds humour, tension, or highlights contradictions.

Rhetorical question

A question that does not require an answer.

Rhetorical question Effect

Engages reader and provokes thought.

Hyperbole

Use of over‑exaggerated statements.

Hyperbole Effect

Adds emphasis, humour, or dramatic effect.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds.

Assonance Effect

Creates rhythm and musicality.

Alliteration

Words in a row begin with the same letter.

Alliteration Effect

Adds emphasis, rhythm, and memorability.

Sibilance

Words in a row begin with “s.”

Sibilance Effect

Creates softness, eeriness, or emphasis depending on tone.

Euphemism

Saying something indirectly.

Euphemism Effect

Softens harsh realities or makes taboo topics acceptable.

Emotive language

Language that evokes emotional response.

Emotive language Effect

Persuades and connects with reader’s feelings.

Onomatopoeia

Words that describe sounds.

Onomatopoeia Effect

Creates vivid sensory imagery.

Rule of three

Use three phrases/words in a row.

Rule of three Effect

Adds rhythm, memorability, and persuasive impact.

Facts/statistics

Using evidence to support statements.

Facts/statistics Effect

Builds credibility and makes arguments convincing.

Plosives

Harsh sounds (P, T, C, D).

Plosives Effect

Creates forceful tone and emphasis.

Zoomorphism

Humans given animal characteristics.

Zoomorphism Effect

Adds vivid imagery, sometimes dehumanises or intensifies traits.

Opinion

Beliefs, judgements, views.

Opinion Effect

Personalises writing and shows perspective.

Repetition

Repeat phrases/words for effect.

Repetition Effect

Emphasises ideas and creates rhythm.

Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs

Naming, doing, describing words.

Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs Effect

Shapes tone, detail, and precision of writing.

Imperative

Command words.

Imperative Effect

Directs reader and creates urgency.

Cacophony

Repetition of harsh sounds.

Cacophony Effect

Creates discord, tension, or chaos.

Colloquial language

Writing how you speak (slang).

Colloquial language Effect

Builds informality and relatability.

Anaphora

Repetition at the beginning of a text.

Anaphora Effect

Creates rhythm and emphasis.

Epistrophe

Repetition at the end.

Epistrophe Effect

Reinforces ideas and adds closure.

Aporia

Speaker expresses doubt.

Aporia Effect

Engages reader, builds authenticity, or rhetorical tension.

Hubris

Character is arrogant or overly confident.

Hubris Effect

Foreshadows downfall and adds dramatic irony.

Hypophora

Writer answers their own question.

Hypophora Effect

Guides reader and builds persuasive clarity.

Paradox

Opposite ideas that make sense.

Paradox Effect

Provokes thought and highlights complexity.

Satire

Humour to expose problems.

Satire Effect

Criticises society or individuals through wit.

Tmesis

Inserting a word into another word.

Tmesis Effect

Creates emphasis or humour.

Diction

Specific way of speaking/writing.

Diction Effect

Shapes tone, style, and character voice.

Anachronism

Events don’t match time period.

Anachronism Effect

Creates humour, irony, or highlights themes.

Superlative

Highest order of a word (-est, most).

Superlative Effect

Adds emphasis and exaggeration.

Motif

Recurring image.

Motif Effect

Reinforces themes and cohesion.

Verbal irony

Opposite of what is said happens.

Verbal irony Effect

Adds humour or tension.

Structural irony

Events opposite to what character thinks.

Structural irony Effect

Builds dramatic tension and surprise.

Dramatic irony

Audience knows something characters don’t.

Dramatic irony Effect

Creates suspense and emotional engagement.

Symbolism

Objects/things have wider meaning.

Symbolism Effect

Adds depth and thematic resonance.

Anecdote

Short personal story.

Anecdote Effect

Builds relatability and persuasion.

Imagery

Creating an image in reader’s mind.

Imagery Effect

Makes description vivid and sensory.

Sensory writing

Using the five senses.

Sensory writing Effect

Immerses reader fully in experience.

Chremamorphism

Humans given non‑human characteristics.

Chremamorphism Effect

Alienates or objectifies, adds unusual imagery.

Anastrophe

Incorrect order of words.

Anastrophe Effect

Creates emphasis or poetic effect.

Cliché

Overused words/phrases.

Cliché Effect

Familiar but may weaken originality.