Language features

Metaphor

A direct comparison saying one thing is another.

Simile

A comparison using “like” or “as”.

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Symbolism

An object image or action represents a deeper idea.

Repetition

Repeating words

Rhetorical question

A question asked to make the reader think not answer.

Emotive language

Words chosen to create a strong emotional response.

Juxtaposition

Placing contrasting ideas or images together.

Alliteration

Repetition of the same beginning consonant sound.

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it describes.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

Irony

A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere created for the reader.

Colloquial language

Informal

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of sentences or clauses.

Metaphor example

"The city was a concrete jungle."

Simile example

"Her smile was like sunshine."

Personification example

"The wind howled through the empty streets."

Imagery example

"The warm, golden sunlight spilled across the quiet beach."

Symbolism example

"The broken chain represented freedom."

Repetition example

"Never give up, never lose hope, never stop trying."

Rhetorical question example

"How much longer must we ignore the problem?"

Emotive language example

"The innocent children suffered in heartbreaking conditions."

Juxtaposition example

"While the wealthy enjoyed luxury, the poor struggled to survive."

Alliteration example

"The slippery snake silently slithered away."

Onomatopoeia example

"The door slammed shut with a loud bang."

Hyperbole example

"I have told you a million times."

Irony example

"A fire station burns down."

Colloquial language example

"That movie was pretty cool."

Metaphor effect

Compares two things directly to suggest a deeper meaning, helping the reader understand an idea or situation in a more powerful way.

Simile effect

Compares two things using "like" or "as", helping the reader picture or understand something more clearly.

Personification effect

Gives human qualities to non-human things, making descriptions more vivid and helping the reader connect with the subject.

Imagery effect

Creates a mental picture using descriptive language, helping the reader imagine the scene and engage their senses.

Symbolism effect

Uses an object, person or idea to represent a deeper meaning, helping communicate important themes or messages.

Repetition effect

Repeats words or phrases to emphasise an idea, make it memorable and show its importance.

Rhetorical question effect

Encourages the reader to think about an issue, challenge their beliefs or consider the writer's viewpoint.

Emotive language effect

Uses words that create strong feelings, influencing the reader's emotions and encouraging sympathy, anger or concern.

Juxtaposition effect

Places contrasting ideas or images together to highlight their differences and emphasise a message.

Alliteration effect

Repeats the same starting consonant sound in nearby words, drawing attention to certain words and making a phrase more memorable.

Onomatopoeia effect

Uses words that imitate sounds, making the writing more vivid and helping the reader imagine or hear what is happening.

Hyperbole effect

Uses deliberate exaggeration to emphasise a point, create a strong impression or show intense emotions.

Irony effect

Shows a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, making the reader question a situation or recognise its absurdity.

Colloquial language effect

Uses informal, everyday language to make the writing sound natural, relatable and realistic.