We have compiled some of the most common terms and examples that students are likely to come across when they study English. Great for revision but also as a handy guide for students who are preparing for 11+, 13+ and GCSE. Device Definition Example simile a figure of speech comparing two unlike things often using...
Key Terms for English
August 15, 2022by atadmin
We have compiled some of the most common terms and examples that students are likely to come across when they study English. Great for revision but also as a handy guide for students who are preparing for 11+, 13+ and GCSE.
| Device | Definition | Example |
| simile | a figure of speech comparing two unlike things often using ‘as’ or ‘like’ making the idea more vivid | ‘His cheeks were like apples’ |
| metaphor | a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that is not literally true, but helps make the idea more vivid | ‘She is an early bird’ |
| hyperbole | an overstated, obvious exaggeration | ‘I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse’ |
| pathetic fallacy | giving human feelings or actions to something non-human (usually within the natural world) | ‘The sombre clouds darkened our mood’ |
| anaphora | a figure of speech in which word(s) are repeated at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases or sentences | ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom…’ |
| litotes | a figure of speech and a form of understatement in which a sentiment is expressed ironically by negating its contrary
|
‘It’s not rocket science’ |
| allegory | a story or image which uses symbols to convey a hidden meaning | The Tortoise and the Hare fable – slow and steady wins the race |
| dramatic irony | a literary device when the reader/audience knows more about a situation then the character(s) does | Romeo and Juliet – the audience knows that Juliet is only asleep (not dead) but Romeo does not, and he kills himself
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| foreshadowing | an indication of what is to come; a hint or allusion to future plot developments | Little Red Riding Hood’s mother expresses concerns for her daughter’s safety when visiting her grandmother |
| imagery | visually descriptive or figurative language | ‘The autumn leaves blanketed the ground’ |
| juxtaposition | placing two or more things close together to compare or contrast | ‘All’s fair in love and war’ |
| oxymoron | a figure of speech where seemingly contradictory terms appear together | ‘friendly fire’, ‘old news’ |
| paradox | a contradictory statement which may be true | ‘so foul and fair a day I have not seen’ |
| personification | giving human characteristics to something not human | ‘the sun smiled down’ |