Language techniques

Question 1

Alliteration

Answer 1

This is where the first letter of a word is repeated in words that follow. For example, the cold, crisp, crust of clean, clear ice.

Question 2

Colloquial language

Answer 2

This is language used in speech with an informal meaning. For example, chill, out of this world, take a rain check

Question 3

Dissonance

Answer 3

This is a discordant combination of sounds. For example, the clash, spew and slow pang of grinding waves against the quay.

Question 4

Enjambment

Answer 4

This is device used in poetry where a sentence continues beyond the end of the line or verse.

Question 5

Hyperbole

Answer 5

This is exaggerating for a purpose – it is not meant to be taken literally. For example, we gorged on the banquet of beans on toast.

Question 6

Imagery

Answer 6

This is where strong pictures or ideas are created in the mind of the reader. Similes, metaphors and personification can all be used to achieve this - they all compare something ‘real’ with something ‘imagined’.

Question 7

Irony

Answer 7

This is where words or ideas are used humorously or sarcastically, to imply criticism

Question 8

Metaphor

Answer 8

This is where a word or phrase is used to imply figurative resemblance, not a literal or ‘actual’ one. For example, he flew into the room.

Question 9

Personification

Answer 9

This is where a human quality is attributed to a thing or idea. For example, the moon calls me to her darkened world.

Question 10

Antimetabole

Answer 10

Antimetabole is when the words of the first clause are reversed in the second clause. “All for one and one for all!“

Question 11

Assonance

Answer 11

Assonance refers to the repetition of the vowels in words that are in close proximity to each other. “When I have fears that I may cease to be
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,“