Imperatives
A verb or phrase in the imperative mood, e.g. Bring me a glass of water, it conveys a command,
a request or a forbiddance. It always takes the second person (you) for the subject but most
of the time the subject remains hidden. Instructional language – “forget your previous
ideas about…”
Superlatives
An exaggerated or hypothetical expression of praise
Alliterations
The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the
beginning of adjacent or closely connected words “
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”
“I saw a saw that could out saw any other saw I ever saw”
Round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran.
She sells sea shells on the seashore – example of sibilance
Sittin’ in a sleazy snack-bar suckin’
Sickly sausage rolls
Slippin’ down slowly
Slippin’ down sideways
Think I’ll sign off the dole – (Lindisfarne Lyrics of Fog on the Tyne by Alan Hull)
Facts
A thing that is known or proved to be true or used to refer to a particular situation
under discussion
a thing that is known or proved to be true.
“the most commonly known fact about hedgehogs is that they have fleas”
information used as evidence or as part of a report or news article.
“even the most inventive journalism peters out without facts, and in this case there were no facts”
Opinions
a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
“that,in my opinion, is right”
a statement of advice by an expert on a professional matter.
“if in doubt, get a second opinion”
Rhetorical Questions/ Repetition
a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get
an answer. Here are some examples
– “the presentation was characterized by impossibly long sentences and a succession of rhetorical
questions” –
the use of rhetorical devices – which are techniques that help to persuade or impact an audience
– “Do we really want our planet to survive? “
– ‘Wouldn’t you feel happier if you could wear what you wanted to school? ‘
– If you prick us, do we not bleed?
– If you tickle us, do we not laugh?
– If you poison us, do we not die? – all from Shakespeare “Merchant of Venice”
– Is the Pope Catholic?
– Do we want a society where everyone has an opportunity to succeed?
– What time do you call this?
– Who doesn’t want success?
– Can you do better next time?
A rhetorical question is one for which the questioner does not expect a direct answer: in many
cases it may be intended to start a discourse, or as a means of putting across the speaker’s
or author’s opinion on a topic. A common example is the question – “Can’t you do anything right?”
A rhetorical question is a question(such as, “How could I be so stupid?”, that’s asked merely for
effect with no answer expected. The answer may be obvious or immediately provided by the questioner.
Emotive Language
– language that stirs emotions –
it often aims to persuade the reader or listener to share the writer or speaker’s
point of view, using language to stimulate an emotional reaction.
Statistics
a topic in maths, usually using averages – concerned with developing and studying methods
for collecting, analyzing, interpreting and presenting empirical data. – using numbers or
facts to present or support a view/argument
– the practice or science of collecting and analysing numerical data in large
quantities, especially for the purpose of inferring proportions in a whole from those in a
representative sample.
The rule of Three
Examples – “Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness” , Friends, Romans Countrymen”
“Government of the people,
by the people, for the people”, Veni, vidi vici (I came, I saw, I conquered), “Stop Look and Listen”, “Look right,
Left, then Right again”
“the three Little Pigs” (fable), “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, The
Three Wise Men; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Christianity – the Holy Trinity)
Three-part structure – in the beginning set things up. Then build anticipation and finish with
a punchline, resolution or plot twist. The easiest way to do this is by having three characters
experience the same situation in slightly different ways
Tricolon – at sentence level try using a group of three words that parallel each other in
length and/or form. For example, “we cannot desecrate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow
this ground” – From Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address or “Life Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness” – Thomas Jefferson
Hendiatris – is a figure of speech used for emphasis, in which three words are used to
express one idea. The phrase wine, women and song is an example, or “Veni, vidi, vici”
(I came I saw I conquered) and “Friends Romans Countrymen” both from William Shakespeare’s,
Julius Caesar
References