English Language Techniques

Metaphor

Saying something IS something else directly — no 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Life is a battlefield'

Simile

Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'He ran like the wind'

Personification

Giving human qualities to a non-human thing. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees'

Alliteration

Repeating the same consonant sound at the start of nearby words. Example: 'Peter picked peppers'

Sibilance

Repetition of the 's' sound for a hissing or sinister effect. Example: 'The snake slithered silently'

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. Example: 'The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain'

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration used for effect — not meant to be taken literally. Example: 'I've told you a million times'

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect — the writer does not expect an answer. Example: 'Can we really afford to wait?'

Repetition

Deliberately repeating a word or phrase to emphasise an idea. Example: 'Never, never, never give up'

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences for emphasis. Example: 'We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds.'

Direct Address

Speaking directly to the reader using 'you' to create intimacy or urgency. Example: 'You need to act now'

Emotive Language

Words deliberately chosen to trigger an emotional response. Example: 'innocent victims' or 'devastating loss'

Connotation

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Example: 'snake' connotes danger and deception

Denotation

The literal dictionary meaning of a word. Example: 'snake' literally means a reptile

Imagery

Descriptive language that creates a vivid picture or sensation in the reader's mind

Visual Imagery

Imagery that creates a picture you can see. Example: 'The sky blazed orange and red'

Tactile Imagery

Imagery that creates a sense of touch or physical feeling. Example: 'The rough bark scraped against his palm'

Olfactory Imagery

Imagery that creates a sense of smell. Example: 'The sharp stench of burning filled the air'

Listing

A series of items grouped together — can create a sense of overwhelming quantity or variety

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting or opposing ideas side by side to highlight the difference

Oxymoron

Two contradictory words placed together for effect. Example: 'deafening silence'

Declarative Sentence

A simple statement that asserts something as fact. Short declaratives create impact. Example: 'It's killing us.'

Imperative Sentence

A command or instruction directed at the reader. Example: 'Act now.'

Interrogative Sentence

A question — can be rhetorical or genuine. Creates engagement or tension

Exclamatory Sentence

A sentence expressing strong emotion using an exclamation mark. Example: 'O horror!'

Short Sentences

Brief sentences used for impact, urgency or dramatic effect

Long Sentences

Extended sentences used to build detail, create flow or show complexity

First Person

Using 'I' or 'we' — creates intimacy and personal connection with the reader

Second Person

Using 'you' — directly addresses the reader creating urgency or inclusion

Third Person

Using 'he/she/they' — creates distance or objectivity

Jargon

Specialist language from a particular field — signals expertise or targets a specific audience

Statistics

Numbers or facts used to add credibility and make an argument feel undeniable

Anecdote

A short personal story used to connect emotionally with the reader

Allusion

A reference to another well-known text, event or figure to add meaning or depth

Tone

The writer's attitude toward the subject — e.g. urgent, nostalgic, critical, humorous, admiring