English Lang lit

Emotive language

Words chosen to trigger emotional reactions such as fear, sympathy, nostalgia or anger.

Imperatives

Command words used to pressure or direct the reader (e.g., “Act now”).

Direct address

Speaking to the reader using “you” to create involvement and connection.

Inclusive pronouns

Using “we”, “us”, “our” to build unity or shared responsibility.

Alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds to create rhythm or emphasis.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds to create flow or mood.

Connotations

Hidden or associated meanings behind a word.

Euphemism

Softened language used to hide something harsh or unpleasant.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration for dramatic or emotional effect.

Understatement

Minimising something to create irony or subtle impact.

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases to emphasize meaning.

Rhetorical question

A question asked for effect rather than an answer.

Formal register

Professional or academic tone used to build authority.

Informal register

Casual, conversational tone used to create relatability.

Colloquial language

Everyday speech patterns used to familiarise the audience.

Jargon

Subject-specific terminology used to sound knowledgeable or credible.

Loaded language

Emotionally charged vocabulary used to manipulate the reader.

Metaphor

Describing one thing in terms of another without using “like” or “as”.

Simile

Comparing two things using “like” or “as”.

Symbolism

Using objects or imagery to represent deeper ideas.

Imagery

Descriptive language appealing to the senses to create vivid impressions.

Personification

Giving human characteristics to non-human objects or ideas.

Contrast

Highlighting the difference between two ideas or elements.

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting ideas/images side-by-side for effect.

Tone

The writer’s attitude (e.g., urgent, sarcastic, inspirational).

Mood

The emotional atmosphere created for the reader.

Anecdote

A short personal story used to engage or persuade.

Enumeration

Listing items to create structure or overwhelming detail.

Triadic structure

Using three elements for memorability and rhythm.

Short sentence

Used to create tension, urgency or emphasis.

Long sentence

Used to create flow, detail, or overwhelming information.

Shift in tone

A change in attitude used to guide the reader’s emotional response.

Shift in perspective

A change in narrative viewpoint to show contrast or alternative views.

Opening strategy

The technique used to immediately capture reader attention.

Conclusion strategy

The technique used to leave a lasting impact at the end.

Chronological structure

Events arranged in time order.

Flashback

Moving backwards in time for context.

Foreshadowing

Hinting at future events or outcomes.

Cause and effect

Showing how one idea/action leads to another.

Reinforcement

Repetition of themes or ideas to strengthen message.

Circular structure

Ending where the text began for symmetry.

Climax

Highest point of tension or emotion.

Anticlimax

A deliberately disappointing or deflated ending.

Parallelism

Repeating grammatical structures for rhythm and emphasis.

Antithesis

Opposite ideas placed together in balanced clauses.

Pacing

The speed at which ideas are delivered.

Appeal to emotion

Persuasion using emotional reactions.

Appeal to logic

Persuasion through reasoning, facts, or data.

Appeal to credibility

Persuasion through trustworthiness or expertise.

Authority reference

Mentioning experts to build reliability.

Statistics

Numbers used to make arguments appear objective.

Generalisation

A broad statement presented as truth.

Slogan

A memorable phrase designed to influence.

Bias

A one-sided viewpoint used to persuade subtly.

Propaganda

Manipulative persuasion aimed at controlling opinions.

Call to action

Direct instruction telling the audience to act.

Colour symbolism

Using colour to influence mood or meaning.

Composition

Arrangement of visual elements to guide attention.

Framing

What is included or excluded from the image.

Focus

What is sharp or blurred to guide importance.

Lighting

Brightness, shadow, and mood creation.

Typography

Font style communicating tone or identity.

Salience

The most eye-catching or dominant element.

Vectors

Lines that guide the viewer’s eye direction.

Body language

Movement or gestures that convey emotion.

Facial expression

Emotions shown through a face.

Symbolic imagery

Objects that represent deeper thematic ideas.

Foregrounding

Placing something in front to emphasize importance.

Backgrounding

Placing ideas behind the main focus to subtly influence.

Constructs

Builds a deliberate idea.

Reinforces

Strengthens message or repetition.

Intensifies

Makes emotional impact stronger.

Undermines

Weakens or challenges something.

Emphasizes

Highlights importance.

Alludes to

Indirectly references.

Juxtaposes

Places contrasting ideas together.

Evokes

Brings a feeling or memory to mind.

Amplifies

Makes something more powerful.

Clarifies

Makes meaning clearer.

Contrasts

Shows difference.

Conveys

Communicates a message.

Critiques

Evaluates or challenges.

Distorts

Twists meaning deliberately.

Establishes

Sets up an idea.

Explores

Investigates or analyses.

Highlights

Draws attention to.

Illustrates

Shows clearly.

Implies

Suggests indirectly.

Introduces

Presents a new idea.

Portrays

Depicts or shows.

Suggests

Indicates subtly.

Strengthens

Supports.

Weakens

Reduces impact.

The writer’s deliberate use of…

Introduces intentional technique.

This linguistic decision…

Highlights a meaningful word choice.