Revision Notes

English Language Terminology

IronyExpressing something by using words that mean the opposite (humorous or sarcastic)
AnalogyComparing the likeness of two things
PersonificationGiving an inanimate object human characteristics
SimileComparing two objects as they have something in common (e.g. as white as snow)
AlliterationRepetition of a consonant in a phrase (e.g. Harry had a hole in his hard hat)
AssonanceRepetition of vowel sound (e.g. cold, told, bold)
ParataxisUse of very short, sharp sentences
MetaphorComparisons which don’t use “like” or “as”, but say that something “is” something else because it is similar
ImageryUsing language to convey an atmosphere
OnomatopoeiaWhen spoken, a word which sounds the same as its meaning (e.g. “hiss” – a snake)
HyperboleExaggerating something so much that it cannot be taken literally