English Language: Language Devices - Examples and Effects

If answering with definition, language feature means name effects and if there is a sentence you much identify the language device.

Simile

Builds a clear visual image

Her smile was as bright as the sun

Simile

Metaphor

Suggests and deeper meaning, conveys emotion powerfully

Time is a thief

Metaphor

Personification

Creates mood, makes setting feel alive

The wind whispered through the trees

Personification

Pathetic Fallacy

Mirrors emotional tension, foreshadows conflict, intensifies atmosphere

The storm raged as the argument grew

Pathetic fallacy

Symbolism

Adds deeper layers of meaning, reinforces theme, prompts reflection

A dove represents peace

Symbolism

Hyperbole

Emphasises strong feelings, creates humour or frustration, shows intensity

I’ve told you a million times

Hyperbole

Oxymoron

Highlights contrast or conflict, provokes thought

Deafening silence

Oxymoron

Irony

Creates surprise or humour, exposes contradictions, adds dramatic effect

A fire station burns down

Irony

Alliteration

Draws focus to key words, enhances rhythm, reflects tone

Cold, cruel cliffs

Alliteration

Assonance

REPETITION OF VOWEL SOUNDS: Creates musical quality, slows pace for emphasis, reinforces mood

The light of the fire is a sight

Assonance

Sibilance

Produces a soothing or sinister tone, builds suspense, creates sound imagery

Softly, silently, the snake slid

Sibilance

Onomatopoeia

Makes description vivid, enhances sensory experience, creates drama

Bang, Crash, Whisper

Onomatopoeia

Emotive Language

Triggers sympathy or anger, aligns reader with writer’s viewpoint, strengthens emotional impact

Innocent victims

Emotive language

Connotation

Shapes tone or mood, reveals attitudes, creates subtle emotional effect

Home suggests warmth and safety

Connotations

Colloquial language

establishes authentic voice, suggests casual or friendly tone, indicates social background

Gonna, mate

Colloquial language

Formal language

builds authority, creates professional or serious tone, conveys respect

It is imperative that we act

Formal language

Sensory language

Immerses reader in the scene, makes imagery more vivid, evokes emotional response

The crisp scent of fresh bread

sensory language

Loaded language

influences perception, provokes emotional reaction, shapes opinion

Freedom fighters

loaded language

semantic field

reinforces theme or mood, builds consistent imagery, intensifies atmosphere

blood, knife, death

semantic field

imagery

paints a vivid scene, appeals to imagination, establishes tone or emotion

Golden rays danced on the water

imagery

Rhetorical Question

encourages reflection, challenges assumptions, emphasises key ideas

Who wouldn’t want to be happy?

Rhetorical question

Repetition

Reinforces main idea, builds rhythm, creates persuasive emphasis

Never give up. Never surrender

Repetition

Rule of three

Creates memorable rhythm, conveys completeness, strengthens argument

Life, liberty and happiness

Rule of three

Direct Address

Involves reader personally, builds connection, prompts action

You can make a difference

Direct Address

Inclusive language

Creates unity and shared purpose, encourages responsibility, builds solidarity

We all need to act now

Inclusive language

Anecdote

Makes argument relatable, adds authenticity

When I was your age…

Anecdote

Facts and Statistics

Increases credibility, provides logical support

70% improved their grades

Facts and Statistics

Expert opinions

Adds reliability, appeals to logic

According to scientists…

Expert opinions

Imperative Verb

Creates urgency, directs action

act now…

Imperative verbs

Exaggeration

Intensifies feelings, creates dramatic tone

The best day ever!

Exaggeration

Expressive Verbs

Brings energy and movement, shows emotion

Sprinted, lurched, whispered

Expressive verbs