English lang terminology

simile

A figure of speech that compares two different things using "like" or "as" to highlight similarities.

metaphor

saying something us something else; a direct comparison , not meant literally.

extended metaphor

A metaphor that extends over several lines or throughout a work, exploring the comparison in depth.

personification

A figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts.

alliteration

when the first letter of a word is repeated more than once. Alice always alliterates

irony

A literary device that conveys a meaning opposite to what is expected, often highlighting contradictions between appearance and reality.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech where words imitate natural sounds, such as "buzz" or "clang."

sibilance

The repetition of hissing or hushing sounds, often created by the letters 's' and 'sh,' to produce a soothing or dramatic effect in poetry and prose.

Colloquial Language

The use of informal, everyday language and expressions that are commonly spoken in a particular region or community.

connotation

Relating to the associations and emotional implications that a word carries beyond its literal meaning.

sensory detail

Descriptive language that engages the five senses to create vivid imagery and enhance the reader's experience.

euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression used to replace one that may be considered harsh or blunt.

double entendre

When a word or phrase has two meanings, one of which is often rude. Shakespeare had loads of them!

idiom

A phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning, often culturally specific.

emotive language

Language that evokes strong emotional responses from the audience.

figurative language

Language that uses figures of speech, such as metaphors and similes, to convey meanings beyond the literal interpretation.

repetition

The use of the same word or phrase multiple times to emphasize a point or create a rhythm in writing or speech.

rhyme

When words sound the same, like fame and tame.

stanza

A grouped set of lines in a poem, often sharing a common rhyme scheme or meter.

Hyperbolic Language

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect.

hamartia

A tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero.

Juxtaposition

When two or more ideas are contrasted near (not necessarily next to) each other.

paradox

A contradiction. You can have paradoxical language – it just doesn’t quite make sense!

Metonymy

a word that’s associated with something, used to refer to the thing itself. For example, “the crown” referring to “the King”. The power of the crown waned in the 1540s.