Eduqas GCSE English Language key terms

A group of sentences forming a connected unit of meaning within a text, usually focused on one idea or stage of events.

Expressing information in your own words while keeping its original meaning.

Extra information inserted into a sentence, usually enclosed by commas, brackets or dashes. The surrounding sentence should still work when it is removed.

Giving human characteristics to something non-human.

A writer’s viewpoint or way of understanding and presenting a subject.

Writing intended to influence a reader’s opinions or actions through a convincing viewpoint and supporting reasons.

The connected sequence of events in a narrative, including how one event leads to another.

The position from which events are presented, including whose experiences and thoughts the reader follows.

A grammatical relationship showing belonging or association, as in ‘the runner’s shoes’.

A letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, such as ‘dis–’ in ‘disagree’.

A word used in place of a noun or noun phrase, such as 'I', 'she', 'them' or 'it'.

Rereading a piece of writing carefully to identify and correct errors before submitting it.

Writing in sentences and paragraphs rather than verse or a dramatic script.

What a writer wants a text to achieve, such as informing, explaining, advising, entertaining or persuading.

An account of an experience or events that have already happened.

The level and style of language chosen to suit a particular audience, purpose and situation, including its degree of formality.

A clause identifying who speaks, sometimes also indicating how they speak, such as ‘she said’.

A piece of writing that gives information about something and evaluates it, helping readers decide whether it is worth their attention.

A question asked to make the reader consider a point rather than to obtain an answer.

A word to which a prefix or suffix can be added, such as ‘appear’ in ‘disappear’.

An error in which independent clauses run together without a correct grammatical or punctuation boundary. A sentence's length alone does not make it a run-on.

The greeting at the beginning of a letter, such as ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.

Looking through a text for a particular word, number or piece of information.

A punctuation mark (;) that can link closely related independent clauses or separate complicated list items.

Marking the beginning and end of a sentence with a capital letter and appropriate end punctuation.

A word or group of words punctuated as a sentence but lacking a complete main clause. A deliberate fragment can emphasise a thought whose meaning is clear from the surrounding sentences.

The place and time in which a story’s events occur.