NCEA Level 1 English Language Features

What is formal language?

Using more formal words to help create a formal tone in a piece of writing.

What is a colloquial?

Informal spoken language used to give a conversational tone.

What is slang?

Very informal language used to identify with a particular sub-culture.

What is emotive language?

Using words that provoke a particular response in the audience.

What is sensory language?

Using words that have a strong appeal to one or more of the senses.

What is jargon?

Specialised or technical language of a specific profession or group.

What is a simile?

Comparing two things by using 'as' or 'like'.

What is a metaphor?

Comparing two things as if they were the same.

What is personification?

When an idea or object is given human qualities.

What is an extended metaphor?

A metaphor that is developed throughout the writing.

What is alliteration?

Repeating initial consonant sounds in nearby words.

What is assonance?

Repeating a vowel sound in nearby words.

What is are onomatopoeia?

Words that imitate the sound they represent.

What is rhyme?

Repetition of identical or similar end-sounds in two or more words.

What is rhythm?

The beat or pattern of sounds produced within a piece of writing.

Why are personal pronouns used?

To create a connection with the audience or to create an 'us' and 'them' separation.

What is a rhetorical question?

A question, asked for effect, that does not require an answer.

What is an imperative?

A direct request or command.

What is a hyperbole?

An exaggeration used for effect.

What is repetition?

Deliberately repeated words, within or between sentences, for effect.

What is parallel structure?

Repeating phrases of similar structure, within or between sentences.

What are statistics used for?

To emphasise a point.

What is listing used for?

To emphasise a point.

What are quotations used for?

To emphasise a point.

What is an anecdote?

A brief account of an interesting or amusing real life incident.

What are puns?

Phrases that play on words giving humourous double meanings.

What is a cliche?

An overused phrase that has lost its effect (avoid using these).

What is a euphemism?

A phrase that is less offensive or less troubling than another.

What are superlatives?

Adjectives that indicate the highest degree of some quality.

What is sarcasm?

Language that makes fun of someone, often disguised as praise.

What is first person viewpoint?

When one character tells the story. Uses "I".

What is third person viewpoint?

When the narrator is not a character. Uses "he", "she".

What is the Eye of God viewpoint?

An all seeing, all knowing narrator. Knows all the thoughts of all the characters.