GCSE English Language Key Terminology - Language

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What is the meaning of ‘allegory’?

When characters and plot represent ideas that relate to morality, politics or religion

What is the effect of ‘allegory’?

Allegory allows authors and creators to explore often overwhelming or controversial ideas in an approachable manner

What is the meaning of ‘alliteration’?

Use of the same letter or sound at the beginning of consecutive words or words in close proximity

What is the effect of alliteration

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

What is the meaning of ‘allusion’?

A way of making reference to something else without explicitly stating what it is you’re referring to

What is the effect of ‘allusion’?

Allusion allows authors to infer meaning by creating parallels between their text and whatever it is they’re alluding to. It can also be used in an opposite manner, to create contrast between the author’s argument and their allusion

What is the meaning of ‘anaphora’?

When words(or a phrase) repeat at the beginning of consecutive sentences, clauses, or lines in poetry

What is the effect of ‘anaphora’?

Anaphora is used like alliteration to create emphasis and draw the eye of the reader, creating rhythm and injecting emotion into the text

What is the meaning of ‘archetypes’?

An archetype is effectively a stereotype of a character or thing. It is a model around which certain character types are built(i.e. a tragic hero)

What is the effect of ‘archetypes’?

Archetypes are used to build a connection between the reader and the characters in the text. It prompts a feeling of familiarity which causes readers to become more emotionally invested in the text

What is the meaning of ‘aphorism’?

A short statement about a widely accepted truth. These are often amusing or witty in nature

What is the effect of ‘aphorism’?

Use of aphorisms build trust between the reader and the writer; by making use of universal truths, the reader comes to understand the writer as trustworthy, thus increasing engagement and helping persuade them of the writer’s argument

What is the meaning of ‘assonance’?

Repetition of a similar vowel sound in consecutive words or words in close proximity

What is the effect of ‘assonance’?

Like alliteration and anaphora, assonance creates rhythm in a text. It allows readers to interpret a sentence the way the author intended by making clear which vowels sound should be stressed

What is the meaning of ‘caesura’?

A stop in the middle of a metrical line. This usually comes in the form of commas, dashes or colons in the middle of a line of poetry

What is the effect of ‘caesura’?

Caesura gives a choppy and dysfunctional tone to the text, while simultaneously increasing reading pace. Increasing pace builds tension, and can relay feelings of frustration or confusion to a reader

What is the meaning of ‘chiasmus’?

The reversal of phrases of phrases or grammatical structures in consecutive phrases or sentences

What is the effect of ‘chiasmus’?

Chiasmus adds emphasis to a portion of the text, drawing the reader’s eye and making sentences stand out more. Reversing a phrase just after using it engages the reader’s attention by disrupting the structure of the text

What is the meaning of ‘connotation’?

When a word, phrase or other component of a text is intended to carry a certain meaning

What is the effect of ‘connotation’?

Writers often use connotations to help convey emotions or feelings, allowing them to invoke a deeper emotional response in the reader

What is the meaning of ‘consonance’?

Repetition of a similar consonant sound in consecutive words or words in close proximity

What is the effect of ‘consonance’?

Consonance is remarkably similar to assonance, and it also helps to create rhythm in the text. It makes a sentence more pleasing to the ear, thus increasing reader engagement

What is the meaning of ‘contrast’?

A rhetorical device in which a writer draws attention to the difference between two characters, things or events

What is the effect of ‘contrast’?

Through comparing and contrasting, writers can make stronger arguments and create stronger statements, further engaging the reader

What is the meaning of ‘dichotomy’?

A rhetorical device in which the writer draws attention to the difference between two characters, things or events

What is the effect of ‘dichotomy’?

Through comparing and contrasting, writers can make stronger arguments and create stronger statements, further engaging the reader

What is the meaning of ‘diction’?

The words a writer chooses to best convey their message

What is the effect of ‘diction’?

Diction is responsible for the way a reader interprets a text, and can be used in any way a writer pleases. E.g. it can be used to emphasise a character’s emotion or create a more romantic tone, e.t.c.

What is the meaning of ‘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

What is the effect of ‘didacticism’?

Didactic tone is often applied throughout an entire text, and prompts deeper thought in the reader. It encourages a deeper understanding of the text which in turn increases engagement

What is the meaning of ‘dissonance’?

Use of harsh and interrupting sounds in text, particularly with use of words that do not go together

What is the effect of ‘dissonance’?

Dissonance creates a tone of tension and unease, building suspense for the reader and relaying emotions felt by characters

What is the meaning of ‘dramatic irony’?

When the reader or audience are aware of something the characters are not

What is the effect of ‘dramatic irony’?

Dramatic irony creates suspense, because it is inevitable that the characters will come to understand what the audience/reader knows. Tension builds as the reader waits for the truth to come to light

What is the meaning of ‘ellipsis’?

Often represented as ‘…’ or “-”, it’s used to pause for dramatic effect

What is the effect of ‘ellipsis’?

When used as effect, ellipsis builds tension by creating a silence not often found in literature. It is often used when characters trail off and there is a hidden meaning, it increases deeper engagement as the reader has to consider the meaning of the ellipsis

What is the meaning of ‘enjambment’?

When a sentence continues beyond the end of a line without use of punctuation. This is often seen in poetry and rhymed verse

What is the effect of ‘enjambment’?

Enjambment increases the pace of a section of text by forcing the reader to continue reading without a break. Increasing the pace builds tension and suspense and can be used to portray a character’s state of mind

What is the meaning of ‘epigraph’?

A quote, poem, or phrase set at the beginning of a piece of text. This may just be at the beginning of a section

What is the effect of ‘epigraph’?

Epigraphs are generally not mentioned in the main body of the text, so their sole purpose is to set the tone of the text. They establish the mood and let readers know what to expect from the text

What is the meaning of ‘epitome’?

A person or item which is a perfect representation of something else, a particular quality or concept

What is the effect of ‘epitome’?

Epitomes are used to draw attention to the argument that the writer is making that a certain person is the perfect example of something else. This makes it more impactful

What is the meaning ‘euphemism’?

Language used to imply something unpleasant or impolite

What is the effect of ‘euphemism’?

Euphemisms are used to mask the impoliteness or rudeness of a remark, and it softens an uncomfortable topic. 

What is the meaning of ‘foreshadowing’?

A warning of events to come in a text

What is the effect of ‘foreshadowing’?

Foreshadowing increases narrative, tension by giving readers an implication of what’s to come. Especially potent when used to foreshadow something distressing

What is the meaning of ‘hyperbole’?

Figurative speech used for exaggeration

What is the effect of ‘hyperbole’?

Hyperbole often adds an element of comedy and amusement to a text, and it allows an author to add excitement to a tedious/mundane subject

What is the meaning of ‘idiom’?

An expression used by native speakers to mean something other than its literal meaning

What is the effect of ‘idiom’?

Idioms are used to increase reader engagement by establishing similarities between the text and normal speech. They are also used to establish character backgrounds and personality as idioms vary from region to region

What is the meaning of ‘imagery’?

Visually descriptive language used to appeal to the reader’s senses

What is the effect of ‘imagery’?

Using imagery increases reader engagement by allowing them to use their imagination and put themselves in the scene. If they can visualise the scene, they will become more invested in the storyline

What is the meaning of ‘irony’?

Expression of an emotion or thought by using language which typically means the opposite. It’s often amusing which injects a degree of comedy into the text

What is the meaning of ‘juxtaposition’?

Two opposing things placed next to each other for contrast

What is the effect of ‘juxtaposition’?

Juxtaposition is used to draw attention to the differences of two things, it is useful for establishing character personalities in the context of each other

What is the meaning of ‘metaphor’?

A figure of speech in which an object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a similarity between them

What is the effect of ‘metaphor’?

Metaphors draw the attention of the reader by engaging their imagination in their interpretation of the metaphor. They create more manageable images in the reader’s mind, thus further prompting engagement

What is the meaning of microcosm?

A community or situation intended to represent the characteristics of something much larger

What is the effect of ‘microcosm’?

Microcosms are used to force the reader to consider the bigger picture, making them examine the wider picture as they read

What is the meaning of ‘monologue’?

A long, uninterrupted speech made by a character in a play

What is the effect of ‘monologue’?

Monologues are often used to provide the audience with more detail about a character or plot point. They help to explain and progress the text’s storyline

What is the meaning of ‘motif’?

A repeating idea used to dictate tone and emphasise themes

What is the effect of ‘motif’?

Motifs help readers understand characters better and it establishes the mood of the text. It is a key way of increasing reader engagement throughout the text

What is the meaning of ‘onomatopoeia’?

Words that sound like the words they’re describing

What is the effect of ‘onomatopoeia’?

Onomatopoeia is often used in poetry to add depth to the text. Using words that sound how they are written engages the reader’s senses, encouraging deeper emotional investment

What is the meaning of ‘oxymoron’?

A figure of speech in which two contradictory terms are used consecutively

What is the effect of ‘oxymoron’?

Oxymorons are used to draw the reader’s attention; the element of confusion they create causes readers to stop and ponder the meaning of the phrase

What is the meaning of ‘paradox’?

A contradictory statement

What is the effect of ‘paradox’?

It creates a sense of confusion or discomfort or it can contrast two ideas, highlighting each idea

What is the meaning of ‘pathetic fallacy’?

When the weather reflects the mood

What is the effect of ‘pathetic fallacy’?

When a character’s emotions are reflected in their environment, it’s easier for the reader to understand and empathise with the character

What is the meaning of ‘pathos’?

Evoking a certain feeling in the reader/audience. Pathos is most often used for feelings of sadness, or pity

What is the effect of ‘pathos’?

Pathos appeals to the emotions of the reader, strengthening connections between the reader and the characters, and thus increasing reader engagement

What is the meaning of ‘personification’?

Giving human characteristics to non-humans or inanimate objects

What is the effect of ‘personification’?

Personification creates depth in a text by giving a voice to otherwise silent, unmoving objects. This allows the reader to become more fully immersed in the text, maximising engagement

What is the meaning of ‘plosive sounds’?

Harsh sounds associated with the letters p,t,k,b,d and g which interrupt airflow by closing the mouth

What is the effect of ‘plosive sounds’?

Plosive sounds are harsh, and help convey complex emotions like frustration and anger. This allows readers to more deeply understand the emotions at play in a scene

What is the meaning of ‘political diatribe’?

The way a text is written to criticise a politcal system or belief

What is the effect of ‘political diatribe’?

Political diatribes are used to encourage deeper thought from the reader about the topic at hand. They are intended to force readers to scrutinise their own understanding of the topic

What is the meaning of ‘repetition’?

Repeating something that has already been used. This apples to words, phrases, motifs, e.t.c.

What is the effect of ‘repetition’?

Repetition is used to emphasise a point or motif and makes it clear that it is important, it draws the eye of the reader whilst emphasising the importance of that idea

What is the meaning of ‘rhyme’?

When two words have a similar sound, particularly at the end of the word

What is the effect of ‘rhyme’?

Rhyming makes a text more interesting and more memorable, and it adds rhythm to a text. It can be used to invoke deeper emotion, or to emphasise how trivial an item/idea is

What is the meaning of ‘rythm’?

The way a writer arranges stressed and unstressed vowel sounds to dictate the way a text is read

What is the effect of ‘rythm’?

Like rhyme, rhythm makes a text more semantically and verbally appealing to the reader. Placing stressed vowels in specific locations allows the writer to make much more powerful arguments

What is the meaning of ‘satire’?

Amusement towards a flawed subject as a commentary on its flaws

What is the effect of ‘satire’?

Satire is most often used in literature to draw attention to political and social events

What is the meaning of ‘simile’?

A figure of speech in which an object or idea is compared to another to suggest similarity between them

What is the effect of ‘simile’?

Similes work in almost the same way as metaphors, drawing the attention of the reader by engaging their imagination. They create more manageable images in the reader’s mind, thus further prompting engagement

What is the meaning of ‘sibilance’?

Repetition of hissing sounds, such as an alliteration of the letter ‘S’

What is the effect of ‘sibilance’?

Like alliteration, sibilance draws attention to certain phrases or sentences. It’s frequently used to create a negative atmosphere

What is the meaning of ‘soliloquy’?

A monologue intended only to be heard by the audience and the character speaking. They are most often used to explore the inner thoughts of a character

What is the effect of ‘soliloquy’?

Soliloquies give us an insight into the internal happenings of the characters in the play, often explaining things otherwise we wouldn’t have found out. Like monologues, they play a key role in progressing the storyline

What is the meaning of ‘symbolism’?

Use of symbols to represent an idea or concept

What is the effect of ‘symbolism’?

Symbolism is used to convey complex ideas in a relatively simple way. It gives the reader a visual to focus on, which becomes synonymous with the symbol; the reader will begin to think of the meaning each time they encounter the symbol

What is the meaning of ‘syntax’?

The way words are arranged in a sentence

What is the effect of ‘syntax’?

Syntax helps writers establish mood and tone, and works in combination with diction express the writer’s thoughts and feelings on a topic