AQA GCSE English Language Technique Sheet Paper 1

Allegory

When characters and plot represent ideas that relate to morality, politics, or religion, allegory allows authors and creators to explore often overwhelming or controversial ideas in an approachable manner

Alliteration

Use of the same letter or sound at the beginning of consecutive words or words in close proximity, alliteration draws attention to certain phrases or sentences. It not only draws the eye of the reader on the page, but the phrase has more emphasis when read

Allusion

A way of making reference to something else without explicitly stating what it is you're referring to. Allusion allows authors to infer meaning by creating paralllels between their text and whatever it is they're alluding to. It can also be used in the opposite manner, to create contrast between the author's argument and their allusion

Anaphora

When words or a phrase repeat at the beginning of consecutive sentences, clauses or lines of poetry. Anaphora is used like alliteration to create emphasis and draw the eye of the reader, creating rhythm and injecting emotion into the text

Archetypes

An archetype is a stereotype of a character or thing, it is a model around which certain character types are built. They can be used to build a connection with the reader and the characters, it prompts a feeling of familiarity. This causes the reader to become more emotionally invested in the text

Aphorism

A short statement about a widely accepted truth, often amusing or witty in nature. Use of aphorism builds trust between the reader and writer, by making use of universal truths, the reader comes to understand the writer as trustworthy, this increasing engagement and helping persuade them of the writer's argument

Assonance

Repetition of a similar vowel sound in consecutive words or words in close proximity. Like alliteration and anaphora, assonance creates rhythm in a text. It allows the reader to interpret a sentence the way the author intended by making clear which vowel sound should be stressed

Caesura

A stop in the middle of a metrical line, usually in the form of commas, dashes or colons in the middle of a line of poetry. Caesura gives a choppy and dysfunctional tone to the text, while simultaneously increasing reading pace. Increasing pace builds tension and can help relay feelings of frustration or confusion to the reader

Chiasmus

The reversal of phrases or grammatical structures in consecutive phrases or sentences. Chiasmus adds emphasis to a portion of text, drawing the reader's eye and making sentences stand out. It also disrupts the structure of the text

Connotation

When a word, phrase or other component of a text is intended to carry a certain meaning. Writers use connotations to convey emotions or feelings, allowing them to invoke a deeper emotional response in the reader

Consonance

Repetition of a similar consonant sound in consecutive words or phrases in close proximity. Consonance, similar to assonance, creates rhythm in a text, and makes a sentence more pleasing to the ear which increases reader engagement

Contrast

A rhetorical device in which a writer draws attention to the difference between 2 characters, things or events. Through comparing and contrasting, writers can make stronger arguments and create stronger statements, further engaging the reader

Dichotomy

A division into 2 opposite groups(e.g. love and hate.) Dichotomies are often used to create and build tension in a storyline; they allow the reader to clearly understand both groups, increasing reader engagement.

Diction

The words a writer chooses to use to best convey their message. Diction affects how a reader interprets the text and is used in any way the writer pleases, it can be used to emphasise key points or change the pace/tone

Didacticism

When the main purpose of a text is to teach the reader a lesson, often a moral one. It can also apply to characters in the text. Didactic tone prompts deeper thought within the reader and encourages a deeper understanding of the text, which in turn increases engagement.

Dissonance

Use of harsh and interrupting sounds in a text, particularly with use of words that generally do not work together. Dissonance creates a tone of tension and unease, building suspense for the reader and relaying emotions often felt by the characters.

Dramatic irony

When the reader or audience are aware of something the characters are not. Dramatic Irony creates suspense, since it is inevitable the characters will come to understand what the audience/reader already knows. Tension builds as readers wait for the truth to come to light.

Ellipsis

Often represented as "…" or "-", it pauses for dramatic effect. The pause creates tension by creating a silence often not found in literature. It often encourages deeper engagement since the readers need to consider the meaning behind the ellipsis.

Enjambment

When a sentence continues beyond the end of a line without use of punctuation, often used in poetry. Enjambment increases the pace of a section of a text as it forces the reader to read without a break. Increasing the pace builds tension and pace.

Epigraph

A quote, poem or phrase set at the beginning of a piece of text. Epigraphs are not mentioned in the main body of the text so their main purpose is to set the tone of the text. They establish a certain mood and let readers know what they should expect

Epitome

A person or item which is a perfect representation of something else, particularly a quality or concept. Epitomes are used to draw attention to the argument the writer is making that a certain person/thing is the perfect example of something else and makes the argument more impactful

Euphemism

Language used to imply something unpleasant or impolite, euphemism are used to mask the impoliteness or rudeness of a remark, and softens an uncomfortable topic.

Foreshadowing

A warning of events to come in a text. Foreshadowing increases narrative and tension by giving the readers an implication of what's to come, especially potent when used to foreshadow a distressing event while the plot is calm

Hyperbole

Figurative speech used for exaggeration. Hyperbole often adds an element of comedy and amusement to the text, and it allows an author to add excitement to a tedious or mundane subject

Idiom

An expression used by native speakers to mean something other than its literal meaning. Idioms increase reader engagement by establishing similarities between the text and normal speech and can also be used to establish backgrounds and personality.

Imagery

Visually descriptive language used to appeal to the reader's senses. Imagery increases reader engagement by allowing them to use their imagination to put them in the scene.

Irony

Expression of an emotion or thought by using language which typically means the opposite. It is often amusing, which injects a degree of comedy into a text. Irony draws attention by bringing humour to a situation, and introduces a degree of foreboding

Juxtaposition

2 opposing things placed next to each other for contrast. It is used to draw attention to the differences between 2 things. It is useful for establishing character personalities in the context of each other

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which an object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a similarity between them. Metaphors draw attention by engaging their imagination

Microcosm

A community or situation intended to represent the characteristics of something much larger. Microcosms force the reader to consider the bigger picture

Monologue

A long, uninterrupted speech made by a character in a play. Monologues provide more detail about a character and help explain and progress the text's storyline

Motif

A repeating idea used to dictate tone and emphasise themes. Motifs help readers understand characters better and it establishes the mood of the text, increasing reader engagement

Onomatopoeia

Words that sound like the sounds they are describing. It's often used in poetry to add depth, they engage the reader's senses and thus increase engagement. Encouraging a deeper emotional involvement.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which 2 contradictory terms are used consecutively. They draw the reader's attention and the element of confusion they create causes the reader to stop and ponder the meaning of the phrase

Paradox

A contradictory statement. It creates a sense of confusion or discomfort or it can contrast 2 ideas, highlighting each idea.

Pathetic fallacy

When the weather reflects the mood. When a character's emotions are reflected through the environment, it is easier for the reader to understand and emphasise with the character

Pathos

Evoking a certain feeling in the reader/audience, often used for sadness and pity. Pathos appeals to the emotions of the reader, strengthening relations between the reader and character and increasinig reader engagement

Personification

Giving human characteristics to non-humans or inanimate objects. They add depth to a text by giving a voice to otherwise silent, unmoving objects. This allows the reader to become more immersed in the text, increasing engagement.

Plosive sounds

Harsh sounds associated with the letters 'p,t,k,b,d and g' which interrupt airflow by closing the mouth. Plosives help convey complex emotions like anger and allows the reader to more deeply understand the emotions at play

Political diatribe

The way a text is written to criticise a political system or belief. They often encourage deeper thought from the reader about the topic and force the reader to scrutinise their own understanding of the topic

Repetition

Repeating something that has already been used. This applies to words, phrases, motifs, e.t.c. Repetition is used to emphasise something and makes it clear that it is important to the text also drawing the eye of the reader

Rhyme

When 2 words have a similar sound, particularly at the end of the word, rhyming makes a text more interesting and memorable, it adds rhythm to the text and invokes deeper emotion

Rythm

The way a writer arranges stressed and unstressed vowel sounds to dictate the way a text is read. Like Rhyme, it makes a text more semantically and verbally appealing to the reader. Placing stressed vowels at certain points allows the reader to make much more powerful arguments

Satire

Amusement towards a flawed subject as a commentary on its flaws. It's often used in literature to draw attention to political and social events

Simile

A figure of speech in which an object or idea is compared to another to suggest a similarity between them. Similes, like metaphors, draw the reader's attention by engaging their imagination and thus increase reader engagement

Sibilance

Repetition of hissing sounds, e.g. alliteration with the letter 'S'. Sibilance draws attention to certain phrases or sentences, often used to create a negative atmosphere.

Soliloquy

A monologue intended only to be heard by the audience and the character speaking, most often used to explain the inner thoughts of a character. They give us insights into the internal happenings of a play, often explaining things we wouldn't have found out.

Symbolism

Use of symbols to represent an idea or concept. It can be used to convey complex ideas in a simple way, giving the reader a visual to focus on. The reader will think of the meaning each time they encounter the symbol.

Syntax

The way words are arranged in a sentence. Syntax establishes mood and tone and works with diction to express the writer's thoughts and feelings on a topic

Tone

The literary manifestation of an author's thoughts and feelings on a certain topic. Encompassing diction and other devices, tone reflects the author's feelings and creates a connection between the author and the reader. Tone gives us more of an insight to the reader.

Asyndetic listing

Items listed without a use of a conjunction, instead using punctuation. It increases the pace of a text, opposite to syndetic listing which maintains a steady narrative pace

Conclusion

A paragraph or section of a formal text to wrap up on a argument and present a final judgement. Conclusions summarise the points of a persuasive text. Reminding the reader of the main points and finishing with a final judgement.

Cyclical structure

When a text begins and ends in the same place with the same idea or theme. This causes the reader to think what has happened over the course of the text, and how it's changed the characters

Dialogue

Speech or conversation between characters in a text, used to display a character's internal thoughts. Dialogue helps the readers become acquainted to the characters and is responsible for the progression of the storyline. It also helps with the reader becoming more emotionally invested.

Focus

What the writer focuses their writing on as the text progresses, focus can shift throughout the text. Focus makes clear the more important characters and themes in a text, and focus shifts are key for narrating the progression of a text, increasing emotional engagement.

Endings

The conclusion of a text. The effect varies based on how the ending is written, e.g. a cliff-hanger there would be an anticipation of a text to follow and leaves the reader ready for more. If the ending is neat and tidy, it leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction

Headings and Subheadings

Titles use to create sections in a piece of text. They are used to break up longer pieces of text and give it some direction. Splitting the text into manageable chunks makes it easier for the reader to understand.

Introduction

The beginning section of a formal text which explains the purpose of a text as well as introducing the arguments that will be made. Intros are useful to inform the audience about the text they are about to read, they give a vague outline of the text so the reader knows what to expect

Narrative pace

The speed at which the text progresses and the story is told. Pacing is used to alter the tone and mood of a story, allowing the reader to deeply understand the text. It allows the reader to become more immersed in the story.

Order of events

The order in which the events of a text take place, it can include flashbacks. This prioritises key ideas and events

Rhetorical Questions

A question asked by the writer which does not have a direct answer. They are used to subtly influence the reader and help persuade them of the argument at hand, they are intended to prompt deeper thought within the reader.

Sentence Structure

The way in which words and punctuation are arranged in a sentence. This includes the length of a sentence. Shorter sentences make arguments explicitly clear to the reader, while longer sentences can become confusing and overwhelming. A sentence with lots of punctuation can come across as frustrating, this allows the reader to develop a tone and mood in their writing