Language Features
What language feature compares two things using like or as?
Simile
What visual feature refers to the colours used in an image?
Colour
What does perspective mean?
A particular way of seeing or understanding something
What punctuation mark goes at the end of a question?
Question mark (?)
Which is more likely to create a scary mood: bright yellow or dark grey?
Dark grey.
"The wind whispered through the trees." What language feature gives a human action to something non-human?
Personification
What visual feature refers to an object, image or colour representing a deeper meaning?
Symbolism
What does symbolism mean?
When something represents a deeper meaning or idea.
Identify the adjective: “The enormous dog raced across the park.”
Enormous
“Her voice was as soft as a whisper.” What language feature is used?
Simile
"The classroom was a zoo"
What language feature is being used?
Metaphor
If a character is placed in the centre of an image and is much larger than everyone else, what might this suggest?
The character is important/powerful/the focal point
What does connotation mean?
The feelings or ideas associated with a word beyond its literal meaning.
What is wrong with this sentence? “After school we went to the shops.”
It needs a comma after “school”: “After school, we went to the shops.”
If an author repeats the same word several times, why might they do this?
To emphasise an idea, create rhythm, reinforce a theme or make something memorable
"Boom! Crash! Bang!"
What language feature uses words to imitate sounds?
Onomatopoeia
If a picture uses mostly dark colours, shadows and very little light. What mood might this create?
Dark, threatening, sad, mysterious, scary
What is the difference between literal and figurative language?
Literal means exactly what the words say; figurative language communicates an idea indirectly/non-literally
Identify the subject and verb: “The excited students completed their assignment.”
Subject: students
Verb: completed
A character says, “I’m fine,” while the image shows them crying. What does this contrast tell us?
Their words and emotions don't match; the visual may reveal their true feelings
“The abandoned house stood silently, its broken windows staring at the empty street.” Identify two language features.
Possible answers: personification, imagery, descriptive language
An Indigenous artwork repeatedly uses a particular animal throughout the image. What should you consider when interpreting this?
Its symbolic/cultural meaning and how repetition reinforces its importance
A character is described as “slim” rather than “skinny.” What has changed: the denotation or connotation? Explain.
Connotation — both suggest a thin person, but “slim” has a more positive association.
Add punctuation to make this sentence correct: “Although it was raining we continued playing because we didnt want to go home.”
“Although it was raining, we continued playing because we didn’t want to go home.”
A story describes a character as having a “cold heart,” places them in dark clothing and repeatedly shows them surrounded by shadows. Identify three language and/or visual techniques and explain how they work together.
Metaphor, colour, symbolism/imagery — together they suggest the character is emotionally cold, threatening or dangerous.