Analysis Vocab

Modality

The extent to which something is certain to happen

Accent

The way words are pronounced, often denoting the poet comes from another country. When written down, accent is often spelt phonetically 

Adjective

A word that describes the noun

Adverb

A word that describes the verb

Alliteration

 The repetition of the same consonant sounds at any place, but often at the

beginning of words

Anthropomorphism

Where an animal is given human qualities

Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which someone absent or dead or something nonhuman is addressed as if it were alive and present and could reply

Assonance

The repetition or a pattern of (the same) vowel sound

Asyndeton

Where connectives are left out of a sentence or line of poetry, often creating a

list-like style

Connotation

What a word suggests beyond its basic definition.

Dialect

Linking to accent, but these are specific words used by people from a certain area

Ellipsis […]

Makes the ending of something tense and keeps the reader holding on until the

Next part because they want to know what has happened.

Euphemism

The use of a soft indirect expression instead of one that is harsh or unpleasantly direct.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech in which deliberate exaggeration is used for emphasis. Eg. tons of money, waiting for ages, a flood of tears, etc.

Imagery

The use of pictures, figures of speech and description to evoke ideas feelings, objects actions, states of mind etc.

Tactile imagery

Imagery relating to touch

Olfactory Imagery

Imagery relating to smell

Gustatory imagery

Imagery relating to taste

Irony

Expressing something by using words that mean the opposite

Juxtaposition

A stark contrast between two ideas, words or phrases which don’t seem to fit together 

Figurative language

a type of descriptive language used to convey meaning in a way that differs from its literal meaning

Lexical Cluster

Words pertaining to a particular group or idea.  For example, words relating to water or nature.

Litotes

An understatement - opposite of hyperbole

Metaphor

Where two things are compared WITHOUT using as or like. They are compared by saying that one IS the other. 

Metonymy

Using the name of an object to represent a bigger idea which it’s related to, such as “crown” for “monarchy,”or “count heads” for “count people.”

Mood

A distinctive emotion or feeling displayed by a poem. Links to tone.

Motif

A recurring symbol (where a word or phrase represents something else)

Onomatopoeia

Figure of speech in which words are used to imitate sounds. Examples of onomatopoeic words are: buzz, hiss, zing

Oxymoron

Two complete opposites put together (iced fire) to create a contrast

Personification

A figure of speech in which nonhuman things or abstract ideas are given human attributes

Preposition

A word category which explains where something is (on, under, in) etc

Pronoun

Word category which explains ‘who’ without using their name (she, us, I) 

Reification

To give something alive qualities of a inanimate object

Repetition

Where something is said more than once to emphasise your point.

Rhetorical Question

A question where the writer doesn’t want you to answer. This technique is used so that you think about what is being said

Rule of three 

This technique is often used to get a point across to the reader – 3 adjectives in a list

Simile

A figure of speech in which two things are compared using the word "like" or "as."

Symbol

When a word, phrase or image 'stands for' an idea or theme.

Theme

The dominant idea which runs through a poem such as death, love, hope etc

Theriomorphism

Where a human is given animal qualities

Tone

The way something is said or written can show what the speaker or writer is really thinking, especially when it indicates that their attitude is ironic or satirical, and that the true meaning of the text is hidden below the surface. It can help to think of ‘tone of voice’ here, and the many different ways in which words can be expressed.

Verb

A doing word

Imperative verb

A command / bossy verb (sit there, run faster) 

Modal verb

An advice or suggestion verb (might / may / could)

Viewpoint

The position, place or perspective from which we are encouraged (or forced) to consider the events and characters within a text. Our view may be deliberately restricted so that we only receive one point of view, while other potential viewpoints are misrepresented or missing altogether.

Conditional

If, when(?)

Parallel Phrase

A parallel structure that begins with a phrase must continue with similar phrases

Eg. I like cooking, cleaning, and swimming

Conceptual Metaphors

Refers to the understanding of one idea, or conceptual domain, in terms of another. 

We borrow from something existing to describe something conceptual.

Something concrete to describe something abstract.

Expletive

Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of the expletive.

Ex. in fact, of course, to be sure, indeed, I suppose, I hope, you know, you see, clearly, in any event, in effect, certainly, remarkably.

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

Inclusive Language

Inclusive language aims to directly address the reader, either personally or as a member of a shared group. This involves using such words as us, we, you, our. 

Colloquial Language

Refers to the usage of informal or everyday language.  This slang can be used in different ways. It can set the writer up as knowledgeable, on the inside of a social group. A writer may also use slang in a sarcastic manner, to attack an opponent or mock an argument. It may also be used to appeal to a reader’s own sense of cultural identity, or reinforce a writer’s overall tone.

Hypophora

Answering questions you have posed yourself

Transition Words

The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material

Weasel words

words or statements that are intentionally ambiguous or misleading.

Direct addresses

any construct in which a speaker is talking directly to an individual or group