Level 2 NCEA English

Metaphor

Direct comparison where one thing is said to be another.

Simile

Comparison using "like" or "as".

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis.

Oxymoron

Combining contradictory terms.

Pathetic fallacy

Giving human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or nature, especially relating to weather or scenery.

Allusion

Reference to a well-known person, event, or literary work.

Alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds within words.

Onomatopoeia

Words that imitate the sounds they represent.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.

Sibilance

Repetition of the "s" or "sh" sound.

Rhyme

Similar or identical sounds in words, especially at the end of lines in poetry.

Rhythm

Pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.

Emotive language

Words chosen to evoke an emotional response.

Connotation

The implied or suggested meaning of a word, often carrying emotional associations.

Denotation

The literal or dictionary definition of a word.

Colloquialism

Informal words or phrases used in everyday conversation.

Slang

Informal language, often specific to a group or time period.

Cliche

Overused expression.

Jargon

Specialized language of a particular group or profession.

Archaism

Old-fashioned word or phrase.

Euphemism

Indirect or mild word used to replace something harsh or unpleasant.

Sentence structure

Length, complexity, and type of sentences.

Listing

Presenting items in a sequence.

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.

Rhetorical question

A question posed for effect rather than to elicit an answer.

Imperative/Command

A sentence that gives a direct order.

Direct address

Speaking directly to the reader or audience.

Juxtaposition

Placing contrasting ideas or elements side-by-side.

Parallel construction

Repeating the same grammatical structure.

Enjambment

In poetry, a line of verse continues onto the next line without punctuation.

Caesura

A pause within a line of poetry, typically marked by punctuation.

Short/Minor sentences

Used for impact or emphasis.

Ellipsis

Leaving out part of a sentence or phrase.

Author's purpose

The reason why the author wrote the text.

Tone

The author's attitude towards the subject matter.

Effect

The impact of language features on the reader.

Interpretation

Explaining the meaning and implications of the text.

Analysis

Breaking down the text and examining its elements.

Big ideas

Central themes or messages conveyed in the text.

Evidence

Specific examples from the text to support claims.

Context

Circumstances surrounding the creation and reception of the text.

Themes

Underlying message or idea explored in the text.

Symbolism

Use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Imagery

Use of descriptive language to create vivid mental images.