English Language key terms

A heading within a text that introduces a section and helps readers follow its organisation.

The person, thing or idea that a clause is about, which normally controls the form of its verb.

The grammatical matching of a verb to its subject in number and person: ‘she writes’, but ‘they write’.

A clause that depends on a main clause to complete its meaning.

The grammatical relationship in which one clause depends on another, often signalled by words such as ‘although’, ‘because’ or ‘when’.

Letters added to the end of a word to form another word, such as ‘-ful’ in ‘hopeful’.

A focused account of the relevant information and ideas in a text or texts, expressed mainly in your own words.

Anxiety or anticipation created by uncertainty about what will happen next.

Judgement maintained and developed throughout an answer, rather than stated only at the beginning or end.

The use of an object, place or action to suggest an idea beyond its literal meaning.

A word or phrase with the same or a similar meaning to another word or phrase.

The arrangement of words and phrases within a sentence.

Bringing together relevant information and interpretations from more than one text to explain a connection, similarity or difference.

The number of marks available for a question.

A grammatical form of a verb that helps locate an action or state in time, such as ‘walks’ or ‘walked’.

A sense of unease or anxious anticipation, often created by conflict, danger or uncertainty about what will happen.

An account given by a witness about their experiences or observations.

A specific piece of information from a text that supports an answer.

A specific detail from a text used to support a point, either quoted exactly or accurately referred to in your own words.

A brief quotation or precise reference to a detail in a text, used to support an interpretation.

A central idea explored in a text, such as the hardship of work or the relationship between people and their surroundings.

Narration that refers to characters by names or pronouns such as ‘he’, ‘she’ and ‘they’, rather than telling their story as ‘I’.

A movement backwards or forwards in the time presented by a narrative.

The attitude expressed through a text’s language, such as admiration, anxiety or resentment.

A sentence that establishes a paragraph’s main focus, often near its beginning.

Writing intended to achieve a practical purpose for a particular audience, such as informing, advising or persuading.

A word or phrase that helps the reader move between ideas by indicating a relationship such as contrast, sequence or consequence.