Ready to ace your English language analysis? These two pages... Show more
Essential GCSE English Language Keywords

Language and Structure Techniques
Language techniques are your toolkit for understanding how writers create impact. Look out for striking vocabulary choices - writers carefully pick nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs to create specific effects.
Imagery and phonology work together to make texts memorable. Spot onomatopoeia (crash, bang, whisper) and alliteration that creates rhythm. Writers also use facts and statistics to convince you, whilst rhetorical questions make you think without expecting answers.
Don't miss figurative language like metaphors and similes that paint pictures in your mind. Pay attention to whether the writer uses dialogue or expert voices to add credibility, and notice if they choose emotional or scientific language depending on their purpose.
Structure is equally important - writers use contrast and juxtaposition to highlight differences. Check sentence types (questions vs statements), repetition for emphasis, and how paragraph length affects pace. The chronology and sequence of information can completely change how you understand a text.
Quick Tip: Always ask yourself - why has the writer made this choice? What effect does it have on me as a reader?

Evaluative Language for Analysis
Evaluative language helps you express exactly how well techniques work in your essays. Instead of saying "good" repeatedly, you've got loads of alternatives that show sophisticated thinking.
For top-tier analysis, use words like outstanding, exceptional, masterly or innovative when techniques really blow you away. Creative, accomplished and evocative work brilliantly for strong effects that stick with you.
When something works well but isn't mind-blowing, try effective, appropriate, competent or thorough. These show you recognise decent technique without overpraising. For weaker examples, inadequate, unsuitable or inefficient get your point across professionally.
Sound, valid and responsive are perfect for techniques that do their job solidly. Remember - your choice of evaluative language shows examiners you can judge quality, not just spot techniques.
Pro Tip: Match your evaluative language to your evidence - don't call something "exceptional" unless you can prove why it's truly special!
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Essential GCSE English Language Keywords
Ready to ace your English language analysis? These two pages break down everything you need to spot and evaluate in texts - from clever word choices to powerful structural techniques that writers use to hook readers.

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Language and Structure Techniques
Language techniques are your toolkit for understanding how writers create impact. Look out for striking vocabulary choices - writers carefully pick nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs to create specific effects.
Imagery and phonology work together to make texts memorable. Spot onomatopoeia (crash, bang, whisper) and alliteration that creates rhythm. Writers also use facts and statistics to convince you, whilst rhetorical questions make you think without expecting answers.
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Quick Tip: Always ask yourself - why has the writer made this choice? What effect does it have on me as a reader?

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Evaluative Language for Analysis
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