Linguistic Devices (Gcse)

Front 1

Symbolism

Back 1

Using one thing or object to make associations, e.g a tree may symbolise nature, life and death, the ecosystem, issues surrounding deforestation, omnipresence, habitat, strength, wisdom and age.

Front 2

A metaphor

Back 2

A figure of speech in which a word or action is compared with another, often unrelated word or action. For example; "The lake was a winding, silver ribbon".

Front 3

Emotive Language

Back 3

Any language which is used to invoke an emotion in the reader, such as rage, fear, empathy or pity.

Front 4

Alliteration

Back 4

The repetition of consonants to make a memorable, pleasing rhythm and sound when read. E.g; she sells sea shells on the sea shore.

Front 5

Sensory Language

Back 5

Any language which appeals to one or more of our 5 senses of touch, sight, hearing, smell or taste.

Front 6

Tripling/ The Rule of 3

Back 6

Listing or repeating words or a turn of phrase 3 times to emphasise.

Front 7

First Person Narrator

Back 7

Telling a story from the point of view of one person, using "I" "me" and "my."

Front 8

Third Person Narrator

Back 8

Telling a story from an omniscient, outsider's perspective using "he", "she", "they" and "it."

Front 9

Omniscient

Back 9

All seeing, all knowing and all hearing. God is often said to be omniscient.

Front 10

A twist or crescendo

Back 10

A turning point or key moment in a story when things change or something is revealed.

Front 11

Dramatic language

Back 11

Any language which is meant to surprise, exaggerate or shock the reader.

Front 12

Connotations/ inferences

Back 12

Using hints or associations to make the reader make a judgement. For instance, the colour white connotes or infers purity, chastity, 'goodness', morality and virtue.

Front 13

Pathetic Fallacy

Back 13

Using the weather to reflect a mood or atmosphere, e.g thunderstorms and dark clouds often gather before a moment of drama and disaster!

Front 14

Context and Audience

Back 14

The time, society and location in which a story is set and who it has been written for.

Front 15

Tone and Register

Back 15

Tone = the mood of a story, e.g sarcastic, playful or serious.

Register = how formal a story is.

Front 16

Colloquial Language

Back 16

Language or speech which is casual and conversational, the opposite of Standard English, e.g 'alright?' instead of 'how are you?/ are you alright?'

Front 17

Themes

Back 17

The issues raised by a story or text, e.g; class, gender, race, morality.

Front 18

Onomatopoeia

Back 18

Using sounds and language to record and make sounds, e.g; "wheeeeeeee", "crash!" and "thud."

Front 19

A juxtaposition

Back 19

Putting two, opposite ideas together to make a contrast, e.g darkness and light, life and death, hot and cold, large and small.

Front 20

A Rhetorical Question

Back 20

A question which is not intended to be answered, it has been posed for effect, e.g "who do you think you are?"

Front 21

Personification

Back 21

Giving 'human' attributes to objects, e.g "her pigtails were dancing in the wind."

Front 22

Foreshadowing

Back 22

Hinting at danger or a surprise which is to come later in the story, e.g the wasps foreshadow danger and surprise in the story 'When The Wasps Drowned.'

Front 23

Stereotyping

Back 23

Grouping people together to make a judgement. Stereotypes are often offensive. E.g. women are often stereotyped as being 'mumsy' or 'natural carers' or as being 'more emotional' than men.

Front 24

Genre

Back 24

Used to categorise books and films, e.g; the horror genre, the romantic comedy genre or the science fiction genre.

Front 25

1. A Matriarchy

2. A Patriarchy

Back 25

1. A system in which females mostly hold the power.

2. A system in which males mostly hold the power. E.g. the village in 'Anil' is a patriarchy or patriarchal society.