English Language key terms

A question asked for effect rather than to obtain an answer from the audience.

The beat and flow of writing, created through patterns of words, sentence structures and punctuation.

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

A group of three words, phrases or clauses used to create rhythm and emphasis.

A sentence in which main clauses are joined incorrectly, without the punctuation or conjunction needed to separate or connect them.

The greeting at the beginning of a letter, such as ‘Dear Ms Patel’.

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

A group of words connected by meaning, such as ‘clanking’, ‘rattling’ and ‘thumped’, which all suggest sound.

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

Descriptive language that appeals to sight, hearing, smell, taste or touch.

Language that evokes sight, sound, smell, taste or touch.

Marking sentence boundaries correctly, using appropriate capital letters and end punctuation.

An incomplete sentence that lacks a main clause.

The place, time and surrounding circumstances in which a story happens.

A change in what a text directs the reader’s attention towards, such as moving from a landscape to an individual character.

The closing expression before the writer’s name, such as ‘Yours sincerely’.

A word or phrase that helps the audience follow the direction of an argument, such as ‘However’ or ‘The next step’.

Language that helps an audience follow the direction of an argument, such as ‘Yet there is another side to this’.

A comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’ to connect two things.

A sentence containing one main clause and no subordinate clauses. It can still contain descriptive phrases.

Reading quickly to establish the overall meaning and locate relevant sections.

Reading quickly to establish a text’s overall subject, situation and main ideas before examining relevant details closely.

Words identifying who speaks, and sometimes how, such as ‘Maya whispered’ or ‘he asked’.

The position an answer takes on a question or statement, maintained and developed throughout the argument.

The widely accepted grammatical forms used in formal written and spoken English; it is not a particular accent.

A generalised assumption that members of a group share particular characteristics or behave in the same way.

A short line beneath a headline that adds information or summarises the article’s angle.