English Language Devices

English Language Term and Definition Practice

Ethos

Focus on character and trust: Persuading the audience that the speaker is trustworthy, honest, and knowledgeable e.g. "Trust me, I am an expert".

Pathos

Focus on emotion: Persuading the audience by making them feel something, such as happiness, anger, or sympathy. e.g. "Imagine watching your home burn…".

Logos

Focus on logic and reason: Persuading the audience with facts, figures, and clear reasons. e.g. “We could reduce pollution by 80%”

Rhetorical Question

A question asked to make a point, create an effect, or provoke thought rather than to get an answer.

e.g. "Who wouldn't want to live in a world without plastic?"

Anecdote

A short, relatable, real-life story used to support an argument or create a sympathetic response.

e.g. “I still remember the time my grandfather forbade me from opening the old, rusty trapdoor in the attic.”

Simile

Comparing two things, using ‘like’ or ‘as’

e.g. “As gentle as a kitten.”

Repetition

Reuse of words, phrases, lines or stanzas to create emphasis, rhythm, structure and emotional intensity.

e.g. “He tried and tried and tried to open the heavy wooden door”

Metaphor

Comparing two things by stating that one thing is another.

e.g. “Her eyes were sparkling diamonds.”

Anaphora

Exact same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or lines

E.g. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

Hyperbole

An extreme, deliberate exaggeration used to make a point, create humour, or show strong emotion E.g. "I have a million things to do today!"

Rule of Three or Tricolon

Triples – three points to support an argument.

e.g.  “Safer streets means  comfort, reassurance and peace of mind for you, your family and your friends.”

Imperative

Instructional language.

e.g. “Get on board and join us!”

Personal pronouns

I, you, we. e.g. “You are the key to this entire idea succeeding - we will be with you all the way. I can’t thank you enough!”

Opinion

A personal viewpoint often presented as if fact. e.g. “In my view, this is the best thing to have ever happened.”

Alliteration

A literary device where words close together begin with the same initial consonant sound. It is used to create rhythm, emphasize specific points, or evoke a particular mood (such as a soft or harsh sound)

e.g. "Bubbling, babbling, brook"

Asyndetic List

A list of words, phrases, or clauses that are separated by commas instead of conjunctions (like "and" or "or").

e.g. "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Antonym

A word that has the exact opposite meaning of another word.

e.g., hot and cold

Synonym

Words that have the same or very similar meanings.

e.g. good, excellent, superb