This is a summary of everything you will need for English up until matric. Will be useful throughout high school as it has everything you need for comprehensions, tests and poetry analysis. This document helped me achieve within the top 1% nationally for IEB English in matric in 2020 and I hope it ...
English Notes
Figures of Speech
COMPARISONS
Simile- direct comparison using like or as
Conceit - deliberately unrelated comparison which adds meaning (ogres to onions) - elaborate,
unrealistic, far fetched ~extended metaphor
Analogy- explanation by comparing it something to something similar
Personification- inanimate object or animal given human characteristics
Metaphor- implied comparison (say one thing is another thing)
Extended metaphor- multiple comparisons/metaphors all related to one image/idea
{Not extended metaphors}
Symbolism- physical object/ character/event represent abstract idea/ concept
Repeated metaphors- single metaphor used repeatedly
Allegory- story whose characters and plot have symbolic/hidden meaning
CONTRASTS
Paradox (idea/concept)- seemingly contradictory statement which is actually true
Juxtaposition- place two ideas side by side to highlight differences (foil,antithesis,oxymoron)
Oxymoron (literary device)- contradictory words/ideas placed together (to show deeper meaning)
Antithesis- strong and clear opposites with parallel sentence structure (small step, giant leap)
EXTREMES
Hyperbole- deliberate exaggeration to emphasize a point
Litotes- negative used to emphasise positive statement (no cap, no laughing matter) {understatement-
say that the extreme contrary is untrue}
CONNECTIONS
Metonymy- something referred to by the name of a closely related thing (the royalty= the crown)
Synecdoche- part represents the whole
Transferred epithet- adjective transferred to another word (he drank a cheerful glass- man is cheerful
not the glass)
SOUND DEVICES
Alliteration- repetition of sound at beginning of a word
Assonance- repetition of vowel sounds
Onomatopoeia - sounds like the actual sound it is representing
Consonance- repetition of consonant sounds
Sibilance- repetition of s sound/ hissing sound
Homonyms- same spelling/pronunciation but different meanings
Homophones- sounds the same but spelt differently and different meanings
, WORD PLAY
Pun- play on words, sound similar but different meaning
Innuendo- implied/hinted not said outright
Euphemism- soften truth/ avoid saying unpleasant things
Rhetorical Question- for emphasis, not meant to be answered
Malapropism- mistaken use of similar sounding words (humorous and often unintentional)
IRONY/HUMOUR
Irony- say opposite of what is meant
Dramatic irony- audience knows more than the characters
Situational irony- opposite to what is expected happens
Sarcasm- often used for insult, verbal irony
Parody- mimics another work/person/situation with exaggeration to create humour or mock
Satire- criticism of a situation or person with the aim of criticism/awareness/creating change (use
humour,irony,sarcasm,parody) - entertaining social commentary
Pastiche - art which imitates another movement, piece or artist (celebrate rather than make fun of)
Lampoon- harsh satirical attack on person/institution/activity through imitation
Caricature- exaggeration of a characteristic for humour
SAYINGS
Epigraph-short quote summarising the whole work/main themes to set the tone
Epigram- short witty statement showing a single observation or thought
Cliche- overused phrases which now lacks originality/substance
Idiom- a saying/set phrase/metaphor specific to a group {needs explaining} [Figurative]
Colloquialisms- informal words or phrases specific to a group (slang)[can be non-figurative/can change
number of words]{informal}
Jargon- phrase/words specific to a profession/activity/hobby {informal}
Maxim- simple and memorable quote/line/rule for living a good life
Portmanteau- join words to make a new word (spork)
REFERENCES
Apostrophe- directly address absent person/inanimate object/abstract idea
Allusion- unexplained reference to thing/person outside of the text (direct or indirect)
Intertextuality- allusions and parallels with other stories/texts
Foreshadowing- hint at future plot developments - anticipation/mystery/tension/cohesion
Red Herrings- deliberately misleading foreshadowing (false clues)
Prolepsis- flash-forward interrupts present day narrative
REPETITION
Anaphora- repeating a word at beginning of sentences/phrases
Epistrophe- repeat word at end of sentences/phrases
Enumeration- listing, counting
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