LANGUAGE Terminology sheet 1 Autumn 1

Level of Formality
Term WHAT the term is WHEN you'll see it WHY it's used
Formal language The most acceptable level of language. Used in official speeches, the  To convey the seriousness of
Excludes slang, colloquialisms, contractions radio news and at formal the occasion or message
and most jargon. Best selections of voice, occasions (e.g. weddings; school  To provide clarity as most
vocabulary, structure and syntax. assemblies; meetings; debates; people in the audience will
essay writing) understand it
Can be used to exclude people  Can be used to obfuscate
and highlight their lack of (good word: means confuse or
education or social status stun into silence)
Informal language
Colloquial Words that belong to casual, everyday How's things?  People are familiar and
language speech and conversation; may be used in Contractions (e.g. can't; don't; comfortable with this language
writing to create a sense of familiarity shan't) Abbreviations (e.g. /RD, It's friendlier, relaxed and easy
TV) for most people to understand
Slang Words and expressions that belong to a Hey bro, wazzup? That's sux!  Enhances a sense of belonging
particular group of people (e.g. surfers; We're gapping it. Bugger! to a group – difficult to
teenagers; farmers; New Zealanders; prison Choice! Awesome! understand for those outside
inmates) group
 It's fun to use
 Makes you feel up-to-date
 Unacceptable in formal writing
or speaking
Jargon Specialised or technical language used by a English: this list of visual and  Bonds people from the same
specific profession or group verbal language features; group or profession: direct
Lawyers (legalese): clarity
Heretoforwith; subpoena;  Can be used to impress the
plaintiff audience with knowledge,
Internet users: bandwidth, expertise or authority
hyperlink, mouse  Not always acceptable in
formal writing as audience
may not understand it
IMAGERY The pictures or images created in our imagination by a writer’s choice of words
Simile A comparison of generally unlike things As happy as a pig in mud  Can be highly amusing
using `like' or `as ...as'. As good as gold; As sick as a  Gets us more involved in the
Says that one thing is LIKE/AS another so dog; text by making us think more
it is always true as anything can be likened ‘I love you like a fat kid loves about the connections between
to anything else. cake’- 50 Cent things
Sweet as (honey or sugar)  Creates more clear, vivid and
Metaphor A very strong and powerful comparison My mother is a rock memorable images
between UNLIKE things. States that one The brick wall, who calls herself  Brings further qualities to the
thing IS another (which is obviously false, my mother, said that I have to description
that is, not literally true). clean my room.  Makes writing more
You are my sunshine. interesting and word-efficient
Personification When inanimate (non-living) or non-human The fridge suddenly breathes  An extended metaphor:
objects or ideas are given human qualities again; .paddocks aching in the the same comparison is used in
heat; The trees saluted as we more other one place in a piece
passed ; The vine is strangling of writing
that tree; This orange tree knows  Surprises us
me, it is my friend
SOUND EFFECTS Memorable ear-catching sounds that words make
Alliteration Repetition of consonants, usually at the Used in tongue-twisters: Peter  Appeals to our sense of sound
beginning of words so that the words are Piper picked a peck of pickled  Makes a text memorable and
linked together by sound. peppers. Used in ads: Bring attracts attention
Can be interrupted by a few words, but back bikes; Silky smooth skin  The words are linked together
closeness is important. Used in newspaper by sound
headlines: Diana dead.  The lines sound connected and
Used all the time: provide a sense of
(e.g. Perfect Peter [Brock]; fit as "completeness"
a fiddle; A sight for sore eyes)  Musicality appeals to sense of
Assonance Repetition of the vowel sounds in words The sound of a the hound in the Sound
with a close connection pound As high as a kite
He climbed high, singing wildly
Rhyme Repetition of sound at the ends of words Some forms of poetry (e.g.  Sounds intentionally used to
ballad; sonnet; limerick) Typical connect to an idea or to imitate
of songs and raps Advertising what is being described
jingles and slogan  Some letters create a feeling
or
emotion: d, b, t, give a hard
and
tough feel; si provides of
slippery feel; m and n can have
a yummy, warm sound
 It's a fun! We like to play with
words and sounds
Onomatopoeia Where the SOUND of a word is the same as Tick tock not only MEANS the  See reasons listed above
its MEANING. When the sound of the sound a clock makes, but it also  It give you a "feel" for a thing
word imitates or suggest the meaning or SOUNDS like the sound a clock  A precise, descriptive word
noise of the action described. makes. (e.g. buzz, meow, bang,
bash)
Rhythm Selecting specific words to form a pattern Sonnets have 10 syllables in each  Like the "heartbeat" of a text
of stressed and unstressed syllables of the 14 lines. that gives a particular feeling
Galloping sound: The Assyrian  Helps us remember the text
came down like the wolf to the
fold..
INVOLVING THE AUDIENCE
Personal pronouns Parts of speech that refer to a person or Often used in ads and speeches  to make readers or listeners
people I, me, my, ...you, your, ...he, him, Your contribution can make a feel included with the writer
she, her...they, them, ...we, us, our difference or speaker (e.g. us, we and
I, like you understand this; We our) and to appear to exclude
must ensure that our voice is others (e.g. they and them)
heard; They are killing machines  To connect to the audience
and they have us fooled into and get them on-side
thinking we look after them...
Emotive language Language specifically chosen to evoke an Some words evoke positive  Connects to our feelings to
emotional response from the audience. reactions: dainty, delicate, elicit or stimulate an emotional
Words used to make the audience feel a gorgeous, lovely, free, response in the reader
certain way. impressive, visionary Some  Appeals to the audience's
words create negative emotions about the topic
associations: The shopping centre Often used in persuasive
was littered with decaying food writing to manipulate our ideas
scraps, ...and sad defeated people on a person, issue or situation
Rhetorical question A question asked, usually in a speech, for Often used by politician and  Ploy to get people thinking
which no answer is expected. talkback radio hosts about the issue and stimulate a
It is expected that EVERYONE will agree Do we want our children using particular response - biased
with only one obvious possible answer. drugs? Do you want to end up  Increases level of drama and
dead at 40 for lung cancer? interest
Often disguises imperatives  To connect with the audience
Don't you think it's time you and get them on-side
settled down?
Question / A question asked where the answer is not Abducted by aliens? Call now for Involves the audience by
Interrogative obvious. compensation. encouraging them to think of
answer(s) to the question
Imperative A direct request or command. Telling your Used in ads: Call now for your no  Persuasive - direction is a
audience to do something. obligation free quote; Push play; command not a request
Swim between the flags  Sense of compulsion
 May reveal authority
 Clarity and speed
Cliché Overused, dull expression that has lost it's We put our best foot forward; it’s  They're easy to understand but
originality and humour through constant use raining cats and dogs; good as boring.
gold  Avoid clichés – however,
advertisers may use them to
connect with audience by
creating a sense of familiarity
Sentence types Structural forms – minor / simple / e.g. Minor sentences lack a  Variety, effect or to draw
complex… typical part of a sentence attention to an important idea.
[‘Short’ or ‘long’ sentences are relative] On sale now – running through  ‘Short’ sentences are simple
the corridor and direct
 EMPHASISING IDEAS
Term WHAT the term is WHEN you'll see it WHY it's used
Hyperbole Exaggeration for effect. Looks a tornado's been through  To emphasise a point
your room
I'm so hip even my errors are correct
(Nikki Giovanni Egotripping)
Repetition Exactly how it sounds - repeating words, Advertisers repeat the product name  To stress a major point and make
phrases, lines or verses in a text several times sure the listeners get their
In songs and poems message
e.g. I rise by Maya Angelou  To create a wonderful cadence
In speeches and writing (rhythm) e.g. Martin Luther
It was cold that night, very, very cold. King's I had a dream speech
Parallel structure Repeating phrases of similar structure Education is not just for the young, it is for
within or over a number of sentences anyone hungry for knowledge. Education is
not just for the rich, it is the right o f every
citizen. Education is not just for
employment, it is for quality of life.
Statistics Give a statistical number or percentage Cats kill over 167.24 million creatures a  Facts and figures to emphasise a
year in Aotearoa point
 Evidence for an argument
Listing Including many examples adds weight to  To emphasis a point
your argument.

Quotations Using a quote from a well-known person In speeches and writing  To emphasise a point
to make a point As Winston Churchill said "Success is the  To evoke the positive reputation,
ability to go from one failure to another wisdom and authority of the
with no loss of enthusiasm" person quoted.
Anecdote A brief story of an interesting or amusing In conversation to relates to the topic to  To connect with audience
real life incident that usually happened to "That happened to me too..." Stand-up  To establish common ground
the person. Often used in public speaking comedian acts are largely anecdotes  People love hearing stories
Positive Degrees of the adjective, and adverb, that (e.g. superlative fastest, finest, tallest  Emphasise the positive
Comparative / indicate the degree of some quality. greatest, most beautiful, the greatest)  Allows a wider comparison of a
positive = individual / comparative = pair quality
Superlative / superlative of many
Slogan A repeated, catchy phrase associated with Imperative (e.g. Just do it; Push play;)  Memorable through repetition
a group, company or product. Alliteration (e.g. Maybe it's Maybelline)  Association brings in qualities
Informal language (e.g. Yeah right!)
OTHER LANGUAGE FEATURES
Pun Phrases that play on different meanings May exploit the difference in meanings of  Usually for humour.
of a words giving clever or humorous words which look alike  Can capture a wider meaning
double meanings. A deliberate confusion May exploit the difference in meanings of  The sun/son of God
words which sound alike but have different
of words.  Ambivalence - not necessarily
spellings (homophones)Hair today, gone
tomorrow ambiguity
 Can be used to retain attention
through clever construction and
associated meanings
Irony The use of words that are clearly the "I love picking up after people. It gives my  Provides humour
opposite of what is really meant. The life meaning " says the frazzled mother  Highlights what is and what
opposite of sincerity "What lovely weather we are having!" but should be
its raining outside.  Often used in sarcasm to belittle
or ridicule
Euphemism An expression used to avoid saying Anything to do with the body, sex or death  People may avoid directly
something embarrassing or (e.g. down there; hung out to dry instead of confronting death, sex and
uncomfortable suicide – passed away, bodily functions. Or unpleasant
Used by politicians and corporations e.g. news. It can be more polite,
downsizing evasive, gentle
 Used to make ugly actions sound
more acceptable
Sensory language Using words that have a strong appeal to (e.g. Fragrant rhythmic, dazzle, splash,  Provides colour and links to
one or more of the senses splinter, berry) experience

Enjambement: When lines of a poem don’t end with grammar

Oxymoron: When two contrasting words are bind together to form a new meaning
Allegory: A story or narrative with two meanings: the obvious or literal meaning that is immediately
clear, and a second, usually hidden meaning.
Allusion: A subtle or passing reference to an event, person, place, other text, etc. that is intended
to be noticed by readers (though isn’t always picked up on)
Anaphora: A rhetorical device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of
Atmosphere: