Language Devices

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Language Devices

• All To develop ideas suited to a form of writing
  (WAF1 L5)
• Most To explain how an effect has been created
  (RAF6 L6)

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Create this table in your book
Language device Example Effect on the reader
Simile
Metaphor
Pathetic fallacy
Personification
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Oxymoron
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Simile A simile is when you compare one thing
to another using the words as or like

• The mixture is as sticky as toffee.
• She moves like a dancer.
• hard and clear like an equestrian statue upon
  its pedestal
• glimmered like a ghost

4
Make up your own

• The moon glowed like . . . . . .
• His face was as red as..
• Raindrops dripped down the window pane like . . .
  . . .
• Smoke floated on the air like . . . . . .
• The air smells as fresh as . . . . . .

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Copy this table into your books
Language device Example Effect on the reader
Simile glimmered like a ghost This creates a clear comparison with a ghost which makes the reader think



6
Metaphor when one thing is compared to another

• A sharks restaurant
• A lions roar
• A quilt of blue
• slanting rays of low sun turning the streams to
  threads of gold
• Deathly silence
• the very dead of night

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Make up your own

• The dark is

The sun is
The trees are
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Language device Example Effect on the reader
Simile glimmered like a ghost This creates a clear comparison with a ghost which makes the reader think
Metaphor Can be a surprising comparison, could symbolise., could shock the reader into thinking


9
Personification when inanimate (not
moving/living) objects are given the qualities or
actions of a living person or creature.

• The dilapidated house appeared depressed.
• My computer throws a fit every time I try to use
  it.
• Time flew and before we knew it, it was time to
  go home.
• The popcorn leapt out of the bowl.
• Can you think of any?

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Language device Example Effect on the reader
Simile glimmered like a ghost This creates a clear comparison with a ghost which makes the reader think
Metaphor Can be a surprising comparison, could symbolise., could shock the reader into thinking
Personification Helps the reader to understand something thats more complex abstract helps the reader to empathise

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Pathetic fallacy similar to personification
only applied to the nature.

• Angry clouds
• A cruel wind
• The stars danced playfully in a moonlit sky.
• The flowers waltzed in the gentle breeze.
• Your turn
• A .. sky/tree/wave

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Language device Example Effect on the reader
Simile glimmered like a ghost This creates a clear comparison with a ghost which makes the reader think
Metaphor Can be a surprising comparison, could symbolise., could shock the reader into thinking
Personification Helps the reader to understand something thats more complex abstract helps the reader to empathise
Pathetic fallacy Helps to reflect atmosphere / rising tension in the plot. Could foreshadow events in the story.

13
Alliteration Is the repetition of consonant
sounds near each other

• sweet smell of success
• bigger and better
• jump for joy
• sinking sun
• foaming the fantastic surges
• Can you think of any?

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Language device Example Effect on the reader
Simile glimmered like a ghost This creates a clear comparison with a ghost which makes the reader think
Metaphor Can be a surprising comparison, could symbolise., could shock the reader into thinking
Personification Helps the reader to understand something thats more complex abstract helps the reader to empathise
Pathetic fallacy Helps to reflect atmosphere / rising tension in the plot. Could foreshadow events in the story.
Alliteration Helps to connect words together Adds emphasis Creates a sound dimension thats memorable Helps to generate a mood

15
Onomatopoeia means a word that sounds like the
common sound of the object it is describing.

• Plop went the penny in the water.
• My cola fizzed in the glass.
• Splash went my friend in the stream.
• The snake hissed.
• The train went choo choo!
• The birds are cawing.
• Can you think of any?

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Language device Example Effect on the reader
Simile glimmered like a ghost This creates a clear comparison with a ghost which makes the reader think
Metaphor Can be a surprising comparison, could symbolise., could shock the reader into thinking
Personification Helps the reader to understand something thats more complex abstract helps the reader to empathise
Pathetic fallacy Helps to reflect atmosphere / rising tension in the plot. Could foreshadow events in the story.
Alliteration Helps to connect words together Adds emphasis Creates a sound dimension thats memorable Helps to generate a mood
Onomatopoeia Offers the reader a sound dimension which forces them to think. Adds impact as the reader would think about the two comparisons. Could be evocative
17
Oxymoron words close together that have
opposite meanings

• Were alone together
• The living dead
• Its the same difference
• Shes pretty ugly
• He gave him a head butt
• It was like a silent scream

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Language device Example Effect on the reader
Simile glimmered like a ghost This creates a clear comparison with a ghost which makes the reader think
Metaphor A lifetime is a day, death is sleep a lifetime is a year, death is winter.. Can be a surprising comparison, could symbolise., could shock the reader into thinking
Pathetic fallacy The leaves danced with the wind Helps to reflect atmosphere / rising tension in the plot. Could foreshadow events in the story.
Personification The sun smiled upon us The warm weather welcomed us Helps the reader to understand something thats more complex abstract helps the reader to empathise
Alliteration Film titles Dirty Dancing, King Kong, Captains Courageous, Revolutionary Road, Donnie Darko, What Women Want Helps to connect words together Adds emphasis Creates a sound dimension thats memorable Helps to generate a mood
Onomatopoeia Glug glug glug Drinking sound. Boom! sound of a bomb Offers the reader a sound dimension which forces them to think. Adds impact as the reader would think about the two comparisons. Could be evocative
Oxymoron Bitter sweet Deafening silence Irregular pattern Contrasts help to create conflicts Paradoxically this show Is ironic as the reader would think