English techniques in writing May 2016 Kindly contributed

English techniques in writing May 2016 Kindly contributed by Julie Hobson, TEAM Wearside. Search for Julie on www. skillsworkshop. org and visit the download page for this resource to find a related Word document, and further links. Curriculum links Underpins L 2 Functional English and GCSE English reading and writing.

English Techniques in writing

Alliteration Definition Example • A repetition of sounds that are similar • Are generally consonants and will appear at the beginning of words • The sun sizzled softly in the afternoon • The waves washed wistfully against the shores • The parched pavement peeled in the hot summer sun

Analogy Definition Example • Is a comparison where an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it • How a doctor diagnoses diseases is like how a detective investigates crimes • You are as annoying as nails on a chalkboard • Just as a caterpillar comes out of its cocoon, so we must come out of our comfort zone • Aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar

Cliché Definition • You may have heard someone say a cliché before • Are a technique of expression • People are able to get the gist of its meaning Example In the nick of time Lasted an eternity Frightened to death Waking up on the wrong side of the bed • All is well that ends well • Every cloud has a silver lining • •

Colloquialism Definition • Vary from region to region • Used in informal language Example • • • To bamboozle Wanna Gonna Y’all Go nuts

Emotive language Definition Example • Relate to or refer to emotions • I am very happy that you decided to come • Drink Coco-Cola, you’ll love it • Adjectives and adverbs are often used • This ghastly idea must be stopped • The girl was skipping joyfully

Hyperbole Definition • Use of exaggeration or overstating in order to get a point across • Used for dramatic effect Example • “I have told you a million times!” • “My feet are killing me!” • “worked my fingers to the bone!” • “was dying to see”

Imperative Definition • The imperative is a grammatical mood that forms commands or requests, including the giving of prohibition or permission, or any other kind of advice or exhortation. Example • Please be quiet • Stand up straight • Take that chewing gum out of your mouth

Metaphor Definition • Used to compare two like things without using ‘like’ or ‘as’ • A metaphor is there to make an even stronger image in the reader's head by describing a place, subject or object as something unlikely Example • He was a speeding bullet • A sea of trouble • Drowning in debt • The world is your oyster

Onomatopoeia Definition • A word that imitates or suggests the source of the sound it describes Example • James whacked the cricket ball • Bees were buzzing around the garden • It is common with animal • Janey bounced around on sounds but has expanded to the pogo stick – boing, sounds made by other boing, boing sources

Oxymoron Definition • Two words that are close together that contradict each other • Shows contrast Example • • • Same difference Smart fool Awfully pretty Liquid gas Original copies Seriously funny

Personification Definition • Uses human characteristics • to describe things that are • not human, such as: animals, ideas or objects • Gives a more detailed image • in the mind of the reader • • Example My flowers were begging for water. The ivy wove its fingers around the fence. The thunder was grumbling like it was angry. Hail pounded the houses and streets. The cactus saluted those who drove past.

Rhetorical questions Definition • Questions where an answer is not expected Example • Does a fish have lips? • How am I supposed to live • Usually questions that make without you? a responder think about a point, or question that is so • Are you for real? obvious

Simile Definition Example • Figure of speech that makes • He is as funny as a monkey a comparison • Our soldiers are as brave as lions • Shows similarities between • Her cheeks are red like a two different things rose • He is as cunning as a fox • Uses word “like” or “as” • John is as slow as a snail

Superlatives Definition • A superlative is used to indicate an extreme or unsurpassed level of emotions, association, or hatred for an object or a person or even an event. • Used by adding ‘est’ to an adjective Example • My cousin is the tallest among the giants • My car is the fastest we’ve ever had