Language Features and Poetic Techniques
Language Features and Definition and Effect Example
Poetic Techniques
Noun A naming word for people, ‘The pale green leaves’
places and things.
Effect - Creates images for the
reader.
Adjective Describes a noun. ‘The pale green leaves’
Effect - Gives a more precise
description of something.
Verb An action or something that is ‘The pale green leaves are
done by something or falling from the tree’
someone.
Effect- helps describe a subject
in action.
Adverb A word used to describe a verb ‘The pale green leaves are
Effect- Clear visualisation of falling gently from the tree’
the action taking place
Sentence lengths Sentence lengths can be used “It is easier said than done.
to convey or emphasise a Unfortunately, most of us are
message more strongly or to our own harshest critics, which
build contrast. can be a barrier on……”
Contrast between sentence
lengths emphasises the idea
better.
Simile A comparison between two ‘The sinking sun looked like a
different things using ‘as’ or ball of fire’
‘like’
Effect-creates a vivid image in
the reader's mind, allowing to
absorb the text better and
helping to engage.
Metaphor Direct comparison between ‘Her long hair was a flowing
two different things that have golden river’
something in similar
Personification A comparison where inanimate ‘The hungry flame’
1
, objects are given human
characteristics.
Effect - Gives an object
personality
Connotation An idea or feeling which a ‘Not a red rose or a satin
word invokes heart.’
Effect- can influence and have Not- negative connotation,
an impact on what the reader rejection of the common gifts
feels. If a word with a strong of love and preparing us for an
connotation is used in the title unexpected truth.
or beginning of a text, then it
can help us predict the ideas in
the following text.
Alliteration the occurrence of the same ‘It is the beating of his hideous
letter or sound at the heart!’
beginning of adjacent or
closely connected words
Effect- catches the reader's
interest and attention, while
making a text more
memorable. It can also help
create rhythm and mood.
Consonance The repetition of identical or ‘He struck a streak of bad luck’
similar consonants in
neighbouring words whose
vowel sounds are different
Effect- emphasize sounds or
words that may resonate with
the main ideas or themes of
text while adding rhythm.
Sibilance The repetition of sibilant ‘From my books surcease of
sounds. sorrow—sorrow for the lost
Effect- helps create a certain Lenore’
mood or emphasises an idea. Harsh sibilant sounds
emphasise the difficult mental
state the narrator is in.
Assonance Repetition of vowel sounds ‘The shelter was pelted with
within a word, or words near shells’
each other.
Effect - To emphasise those
words, to create sound effects
or rhythm.
Onomatopoeia The formation of a word from Tick, tock tick, tock- the clock
a sound associated with what began ticking again.
is named
Effect- Adds excitement,
action, and interest by allowing
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Language Features and Definition and Effect Example
Poetic Techniques
Noun A naming word for people, ‘The pale green leaves’
places and things.
Effect - Creates images for the
reader.
Adjective Describes a noun. ‘The pale green leaves’
Effect - Gives a more precise
description of something.
Verb An action or something that is ‘The pale green leaves are
done by something or falling from the tree’
someone.
Effect- helps describe a subject
in action.
Adverb A word used to describe a verb ‘The pale green leaves are
Effect- Clear visualisation of falling gently from the tree’
the action taking place
Sentence lengths Sentence lengths can be used “It is easier said than done.
to convey or emphasise a Unfortunately, most of us are
message more strongly or to our own harshest critics, which
build contrast. can be a barrier on……”
Contrast between sentence
lengths emphasises the idea
better.
Simile A comparison between two ‘The sinking sun looked like a
different things using ‘as’ or ball of fire’
‘like’
Effect-creates a vivid image in
the reader's mind, allowing to
absorb the text better and
helping to engage.
Metaphor Direct comparison between ‘Her long hair was a flowing
two different things that have golden river’
something in similar
Personification A comparison where inanimate ‘The hungry flame’
1
, objects are given human
characteristics.
Effect - Gives an object
personality
Connotation An idea or feeling which a ‘Not a red rose or a satin
word invokes heart.’
Effect- can influence and have Not- negative connotation,
an impact on what the reader rejection of the common gifts
feels. If a word with a strong of love and preparing us for an
connotation is used in the title unexpected truth.
or beginning of a text, then it
can help us predict the ideas in
the following text.
Alliteration the occurrence of the same ‘It is the beating of his hideous
letter or sound at the heart!’
beginning of adjacent or
closely connected words
Effect- catches the reader's
interest and attention, while
making a text more
memorable. It can also help
create rhythm and mood.
Consonance The repetition of identical or ‘He struck a streak of bad luck’
similar consonants in
neighbouring words whose
vowel sounds are different
Effect- emphasize sounds or
words that may resonate with
the main ideas or themes of
text while adding rhythm.
Sibilance The repetition of sibilant ‘From my books surcease of
sounds. sorrow—sorrow for the lost
Effect- helps create a certain Lenore’
mood or emphasises an idea. Harsh sibilant sounds
emphasise the difficult mental
state the narrator is in.
Assonance Repetition of vowel sounds ‘The shelter was pelted with
within a word, or words near shells’
each other.
Effect - To emphasise those
words, to create sound effects
or rhythm.
Onomatopoeia The formation of a word from Tick, tock tick, tock- the clock
a sound associated with what began ticking again.
is named
Effect- Adds excitement,
action, and interest by allowing
2
