Word Classes Flashcards
All 12 cards in this deck
What is a noun, and why do nouns matter in analysis and writing?
A word that names a person, place, thing or idea. Concrete nouns can be seen or touched (kettle); abstract nouns name ideas or feelings (fear, hope). In analysis, abstract nouns often show what a text is really about. In writing, a precise noun (terrier, bungalow) does more work than a vague noun plus adjectives.
What is a verb, and why do verbs matter in analysis and writing?
A word for an action, a state or an event (run, seem, happen). Verbs are often the most powerful word choices to analyse: lurched tells you far more than walked. In your own writing, one precise verb beats a weak verb plus an adverb (crept, not walked quietly).
What is an adjective, and what should you watch out for when using them?
A word that describes a noun (a brittle leaf). Adjectives shape the reader's impression of a person or place. In Q5, piling up several before every noun reads as forced; one well-chosen adjective is stronger.
What is an adverb, and how can adverbs vary your sentences?
A word that modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb, often ending in -ly (slowly, very, never). Opening a sentence with one (Reluctantly, she opened the letter.) varies your sentence openings and shows a character's attitude straight away.
What is a pronoun, and why do you and we matter in Paper 2?
A word that stands in for a noun (I, she, they, it). You addresses the reader directly. We is inclusive: it puts the writer and reader on the same side. Both are key persuasive methods in Paper 2 Q5 and worth analysing in Paper 2 Q3 and Q4.
What is a preposition, and how can prepositional phrases help your writing?
A word showing position, direction or time: under, across, before, beneath. Opening with a prepositional phrase (Beneath the pier, the water churned.) sets the scene first and varies sentence openings.
What is the difference between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions?
Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) join two equal clauses. Subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when, unless, if) introduce a clause that depends on the main one. Using both lets you build compound and complex sentences, which AO6 rewards as a range of sentence forms.
What are modal verbs, and what effect can they have?
Helping verbs that show certainty, possibility or obligation: must, should, will, could, might. We must act now sounds urgent and certain; this might help sounds tentative. They're useful for controlling tone in argument writing.
In The wind clawed at the windows, what word class is clawed, and what is its effect?
A verb. It also personifies the wind as a wild animal attacking the house. That makes the weather feel violent and deliberate, which builds a sense of threat.
In She closed the door gently behind her, what word class is gently, and what does it suggest?
An adverb (it modifies the verb closed). It suggests care or caution. She may be trying not to wake someone, or not to show how upset she is.
In Her anger filled the room, what word class is anger?
An abstract noun. Treating the emotion as something solid that fills a room makes it feel overwhelming, as if everyone present can sense it.
How should you use word-class terms in a language analysis answer?
Name the word class only when you go on to explain the effect of that particular word. The writer uses a verb earns nothing on its own. The verb 'lurched' suggests he has lost control does. Examiners call naming without effect feature spotting.