1. METAPHOR
A comparison in which the
subject is compared with
something else, without
using the words like or as.
E.g. Her gaze was icy.

2. ASSONANCE
The repetition of vowel
sounds in nearby words.
E.g. At times, when the
tides are high…

3. IRONY
An implied discrepancy
between what is said and
what is meant.
E.g. Lovely day today. (It
is raining!)

4. HYPERBOLE
A figure of speech that
uses exaggeration or
overstatement for effect.
E.g. I could eat a horse.

5. FORESHADOWING
Hints or clues in a literary
work that indicate what may
happen later.
It is used to create
suspense.

6. ELLIPSIS
The omission from a
sentence words or phrases
necessary for grammatical
completeness.
E.g. One man was dead, the
other dying.

7. TONE
The attitude a writer
takes towards a subject
or character.
E.g. Solemn, humorous,
serious, formal, ironic…

8. SIMILE
A comparison of the
subject with something
else.
E.g. She was as brave as a
lion.

9. REPETITION
Words or phrases
repeated for effect.
E.g. I am very, very, very
angry.

10. PERSONIFICATION
A type of metaphor where a
non-human is given human
characteristics.
E.g. The chair groaned as I
sat down.

11. PARALLEL
CONSTRUCTION
A repeated structure to
give a feeling of balance.
E.g. Now you see them,
now you don’t.

12. OXYMORON
Putting two
contradictory words
together.
E.g. Parting is such sweet
sorrow.

13. ELLIPSIS
The omission from a
sentence words or phrases
necessary for grammatical
completeness.
E.g. One man was dead, the
other dying.

14. ALLITERATION
The repetition of
consonant sounds,
especially at the beginning
of words.
E.g. A wild, wet day.

15. SIMPLE SENTENCE
A sentence consisting of
one clause.
E.g. Everyone was
amazed.

16. INCOMPLETE
SENTENCE
Part of a sentence, which
does not make sense.
E.g. Look at the…

17. MINOR SENTENCE
A fragment of a
sentence, which makes
sense but lacks some
element.
E.g. Going cheap.

18. PERIODIC SENTENCE
A complex sentence in
which the main clause
comes last.
E.g. Before you enter,
you must pay.

19. LOOSE SENTENCE
A complex sentence in
which the main clause
comes first.
E.g. You must pay before
you enter.

20. COMPLEX SENTENCE
A sentence with at least
one main clause and one or
more subordinate clauses.
E.g. Everyone could see that
he was frightened.

21. COMPOUND
SENTENCE
A sentence with two or
more coordinated parts,
linked with a conjunction.
E.g. You must pay the money
or return the goods.

22. ANTITHESIS
Juxtaposition of
contrasting ideas in
balanced phrases.
E.g. “Love is an ideal thing,
marriage a real thing.”
(Goethe)

23. CLICHE
A well worn or stereotyped
expression.
E.g. My hands are as cold as
ice.

24. COLLOQUIALISM
A word or phrase used in
speech but not appropriate
in formal writing or speech.
E.g. Cop rather than
policeman.

25. EUPHEMISM
A ‘nicer’ way of saying
something which may
otherwise be distasteful.
E.g. The actor is resting (not
unemployed).
 She passed away.

26. INVERSION
Reversing the usual word
order.
E.g. A hero he is not.

27. JARGON
The specialised vocabulary
of people in the same work
or identifiable activity.
E.g. Computing – driver.

28. JUXTAPOSITION
The placing of two
contrasting ideas side by
side, to highlight the
contrast.
E.g. The darkness glared
brilliantly at us.

29. MOTIF
An element which recurs in
a literary work.
E.g. The mice who appear in
the corner of the screen in
Babe to introduce each
part.

30. SOLILOQUY
When a character speaks his
or her thoughts aloud,
without other characters
hearing (drama texts).
E.g. Hamlet’s “To be or not
to be” speech.

31. SYMBOL
An object or action that is
used to mean something
more than its literal
meaning.
E.g. ‘The Kiwi’ symbolises
New Zealand.