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Imperative

Definition: A phrase to give a command or order.


Examples:
- Danger! Slow Down! Please be quiet!

Effect: Forces the reader to take action.

Hyperbole

Definition: Exaggerated statements or claims.


Examples:
- This is back-breaking work.
- I will die if I can't buy that designer outfit.

Effect: To grab the readers attention and emphasise a point the writer is trying to make.

Alliteration

Definition: A series of words that begin with the same letter or sound.


Examples:
- Politics is probably pointless.
- Dunkin-Donuts

Effect: Catchy and makes the text stick in the reader's mind. Can be used to reinforce ideas.

Direct Address

Definition: The writer talking directly to the reader through words such as 'you', 'we', 'us'


Examples:
- You can join the group and we can do this together.

Effect: To appeal to the reader on a more personal level.

Adjective

Definition: A word that describes a noun (a thing, person or place)


Examples:
- The poor, terrified, defenceless fox hid behind the tree.

Effect: Makes the text more descriptive and can impact on the way the reader feels.

Fact

Definition: Something which can be proven to be true


Examples:
- ‘E' is the most common letter as it appears in 11% of all English words.

Effect: Makes the text seem researched, authoritative and trustworthy.

Opinion

Definition: A belief which cannot be proven to be true - it is someone's idea.


Examples:
- ‘Nottingham is a great city to live in.’

Effect: To bring the reader to agree with the writer's point of view.

Rhetorical Question

Definition: A question that does not require an answer.


Examples:
- Do you want to pass your exams?

Effect: Makes the reader think about the topic and agree with the writer.

Repetition

Definition: Repetition of the same word.


Examples:
- That film was so boring, so boring I fell asleep, so boring I will never watch it again.

Effect: Reinforces key message / ideas.

Emotive Language

Definition: Language that is used to create an emotional response in the reader.


Examples:
- The poor terrified fox trembled and shook as the hunter pointed his gun.

Effect: Involves the reader and can create a feeling of anger, guilt, concern, hope.

Statistics

Definition: Numerical data that can be proven to be true.


Examples:
- 60% of the world's population lives in poverty.

Effect: To provide evidence to support the writer's point of view. To make the text seem trustworthy.

Threes/ Rule of 3

Definition: A list of three nouns, verbs or adjectives used within a sentence.


Examples:
- Smoking is a filthy, selfish and costly habit.

Effect: Highlights important ideas, and it also emphasises the writer's point of view.
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