Halloween Language Features

Halloween-themed language features for GCSE English Language

Simile

Simile is a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.

• The pumpkin's grin was as wide as a crescent moon.

• Ghostly whispers drifted through the air like smoke from a forgotten fire.

• His eyes glowed like burning embers in the darkness.

Metaphor

Metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

• The haunted house was a skeleton of ancient wood.

• The graveyard was a sea of forgotten memories.

• The fog was a shroud covering the town.

• Her scream was a dagger in the silence.

• The night was a velvet cloak adorned with stars.

Personification

Personification is the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.

• The wind howled its mournful song through the trees.

• The old house groaned and sighed in the storm.

• The shadows danced mischievously on the walls.

• The moon peeked shyly from behind the clouds.

• The gravestones stood guard over the slumbering dead.

Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

• Black cats often symbolise bad luck or the supernatural.

• A spider web can symbolise entrapment or a hidden danger.

• A glowing pumpkin lantern can symbolise protection against evil spirits or the spirit of Halloween itself.

• The full moon often symbolises transformation or the peak of magical power.

• A bare tree can symbolise decay, death, or the coming of winter.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

• Spooky shadows silently slid.

• Wicked witches whispered words.

• Bats blurred by bright bonfires.

• Haunted halls harbouring horrors.

• Fearful faces flashing frightfully.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g., cuckoo, sizzle).

• The floorboards creaked with every step.

• A cold wind whooshed past her ear.

• The chains clanked in the dark dungeon.

• The doorbell rang, a chilling sound in the stillness.

• A distant owl hooted.

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

• The brightly coloured sweets lay beside a skulking, dark figure.

• A child's innocent laughter echoed through the eerie, silent graveyard.

• The warm glow of a single candle against the vast, icy darkness.

• The delicate beauty of a spider's web and the deadly venom of the spider.

Glossary

Abstract – an idea or feeling that you cannot see or touch (e.g., love, freedom, idea, concept).

Alliteration – when words close together start with the same sound (e.g., spooky shadows silently slid).

Crescent – a shape like a thin curved moon.

Cloak – a type of coat or covering; can also mean something that covers or hides something.

Contrast / Juxtaposition – when two very different things are put together to show the difference.

Daggers – a small, sharp knife; used in metaphors to describe something very sharp or painful.

Emphatic – showing that something is very important or strong.

Groaned / Sighed – sounds that show sadness, pain, or tiredness.

Haunted – a place that is spooky because people believe ghosts live there.

Imagery – words or phrases that create pictures in your mind.

Metaphor – comparing one thing to another thing without using like or as (e.g., The night was a velvet cloak).

Mischievously – doing something in a playful, slightly naughty way.

Onomatopoeia – a word that sounds like the thing it describes (e.g., creak, clang, whoosh).

Personification – giving human qualities to something that is not human (e.g., The wind howled).

Symbol / Symbolism – an object, picture, or action that represents a bigger idea (e.g., black cats = bad luck).

Skeletal – like a skeleton; very thin, bare, or spooky.

Skulking – moving quietly and secretly, often in a suspicious way.

Shroud – a cloth used to cover something; can also mean something that hides or covers.

Subsequently – later, after something else happens.

Velvet – a soft, smooth fabric; often used in metaphors for something soft, dark, or rich.

Whispered – spoke very quietly.

Eerie – strange and scary; causing a feeling of fear.

Entrapment – being trapped or caught.

Decaying – slowly rotting or breaking down.