Glossary of Language Techniques
Verbal/written language features:
Alliteration: words that start with the same sound.
Assonance: repetition of a vowel sound.
Cliché: a dull, over-used expression.
Colloquial language: informal, conversational language.
Emotive language: language that appeals to the emotions.
Hyperbole: deliberate exaggeration.
Imagery: using metaphors, similes, etc. to create “pictures”.
Imperative: a phrase used to give a command or order.
Jargon: Specialised language specific to a certain group.
Metaphor: a comparison that says one thing is another.
Minor sentence: a sentence without a completed verb.
Neologism: inventing a new word.
Onomatopoeia: a word that imitates a sound.
Personal pronouns: words like “we” or “you” to involve the reader.
Personification: giving a non-human thing human characteristics.
Pun: using a word or phrase that has two meanings.
Repetition: repeating words or phrases for an effect.
Rhetorical question: a question that doesn’t need an answer.
Rhyme: repetition of similar sounds, e.g. in poetry.
Rhythm: the beat of the words.
Simile: a comparison that says one thing is like another.
Simple sentence: a short sentence with a verb, makes sense on its own.
Slang: words or expressions used by a particular group, informal.
Slogan: a catchphrase to advertise a company or product.
Visual language features:
Balance: dividing the image into equal parts.
Bold lines: outlining parts of an image.
Borders
Colour: used to attract attention or for symbolism.
Contrast: contrasting colours, ideas, or pictures with text.
Dominant feature: the one feature that first grabs a viewer’s attention.
Empty space: can be used for an effect.
Layout: how the parts of an image are arranged.
Lettering/Font: the size, shape, colour, etc.
Perspective: two dimensional (flat) or three dimensional (with depth)
Pictures/illustrations
Proportion
Reverse print: white writing on a black background
Symbol: a colour, picture, or object that represents an idea.
Glossary of Language Techniques
Verbal/written language features:
Alliteration: words that start with the same sound.
Assonance: repetition of a vowel sound.
Cliché: a dull, over-used expression.
Colloquial language: informal, conversational language.
Emotive language: language that appeals to the emotions.
Hyperbole: deliberate exaggeration.
Imagery: using metaphors, similes, etc. to create “pictures”.
Imperative: a phrase used to give a command or order.
Jargon: Specialised language specific to a certain group.
Metaphor: a comparison that says one thing is another.
Minor sentence: a sentence without a completed verb.
Neologism: inventing a new word.
Onomatopoeia: a word that imitates a sound.
Personal pronouns: words like “we” or “you” to involve the reader.
Personification: giving a non-human thing human characteristics.
Pun: using a word or phrase that has two meanings.
Repetition: repeating words or phrases for an effect.
Rhetorical question: a question that doesn’t need an answer.
Rhyme: repetition of similar sounds, e.g. in poetry.
Rhythm: the beat of the words.
Simile: a comparison that says one thing is like another.
Simple sentence: a short sentence with a verb, makes sense on its own.
Slang: words or expressions used by a particular group, informal.
Slogan: a catchphrase to advertise a company or product.
Visual language features:
Balance: dividing the image into equal parts.
Bold lines: outlining parts of an image.
Borders
Colour: used to attract attention or for symbolism.
Contrast: contrasting colours, ideas, or pictures with text.
Dominant feature: the one feature that first grabs a viewer’s attention.
Empty space: can be used for an effect.
Layout: how the parts of an image are arranged.
Lettering/Font: the size, shape, colour, etc.
Perspective: two dimensional (flat) or three dimensional (with depth)
Pictures/illustrations
Proportion
Reverse print: white writing on a black background
Symbol: a colour, picture, or object that represents an idea.