DIALOGUE

Dialogue
Definition:
The conversation between two or more
characters in a story.
Explanation:
• Shows what characters think and feel
• Makes the story lively and realistic
• Moves the story forward
Examples:
• “Where are you going?” asked John.
• “I am going to school,” Mary replied.
• A customer complains about a product, and
the shopkeeper apologizes
• Two characters plan a surprise birthday
party for a friend

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 FLASHBACK
Flashback
Definition:
A part of a story that goes back to past events.
Explanation:
• Shows what happened before
• Explains a character’s history
• Helps us understand the present
Examples:
• “He remembered his childhood.”
• A scene showing past events.
• A character thinks about a childhood friend
they lost touch with
• A person remembers a family holiday from
years ago
• A hero recalls training that prepared them for a
challenge
 FLASH FORWARD
Flash Forward
Definition:
A part of a story that shows events that
will happen in the future.
Explanation:
• Jumps ahead in time
• Creates curiosity
• Shows what may happen later
Examples:
• “Ten years later, he became a doctor.”
• A scene showing the future.
• A story shows a character as a successful
doctor ten years later
• A hero envisions the city being safe after
defeating the villain.
 HUMOUR
Humour
Definition:
Something in a story that makes people laugh or smile.
Explanation:
• Makes the story enjoyable
• Reduces tension
• Entertains the reader
Examples:
• A character wearing mismatched shoes
• A funny mistake in class
• A student wears two different shoes to school by
mistake
• A dog tries to chase its own tail and falls over
• A teacher slips on a banana peel in a story
 METAPHOR
Metaphor
Definition:
A comparison between two things without
using like or as.

Explanation:
• Says something is something else
• Makes writing more interesting and
stronger
Examples:
• “The teacher is a lion.”
• “Time is a thief.”
• "The classroom was a zoo."
• "The teacher is a lion in class."
• "Her voice is music to my ears."
• "Life is a journey."
• "The world is a stage."
• "He has a heart of stone."
 SIMILE
Simile
Definition:
A comparison between two things using 'like'
or 'as'.

Explanation:
• Makes description clearer
• Helps the reader imagine better

Examples:
• “He is as brave as a lion.”
• “She runs like the wind.”
"She is as quiet as a mouse."
• "The soldier stood firm like a rock."
• "Her face was as white as snow."
• "The boy is as stubborn as a mule."
 ALLITERATION
Alliteration
Definition:
The repetition of the same beginning sound
in a sentence.
Explanation:
• Makes language sweet and catchy
• Common in poems and slogans
Examples:
• “Busy buzzing bees.”
• “Peter picked a pen.”
• "She sells seashells by the seashore."
• "Sally silently sewed seven small sacks."
• "Friendly foxes frolicked in the forest."
• "Merry monkeys made a massive mess."
• "Daring dolphins danced in the deep dark
sea."
 IDIOM
Idiom
Definition:
An expression whose meaning is different
from the literal meaning.
Explanation:
• Cannot be understood word for word
• Has a special meaning in a language
Examples:
• “Once in a blue moon” = very rarely
• “Break a leg” = good luck
• "Once in a blue moon."
• "Bite off more than you can chew."
• "Hit the nail on the head."
• "A blessing in disguise."
• "Burn the midnight oil."
• "Cost an arm and a leg."
• "Let the cat out of the bag."
 IMAGERY
Imagery
Definition:
The use of words that create pictures in the
reader’s mind.
Explanation:
• Appeals to the five senses
• Makes scenes clear and vivid
• “The red sun sank behind the hills.”
• “The sweet smell of flowers filled the air.”
• "The golden sand sparkled under the bright
sun."
• "The crackling fire warmed the cold, dark
room."
• "The sound of waves crashing against the
rocks was deafening."
• "The juicy, ripe mango dripped juice down
my hand."
 THEME
Theme
Definition:
The central idea or message of a story.
Explanation:
• Not the same as the plot
• The deeper meaning of the story
• Universal ideas like love, courage, justice
Examples:
• Animal Farm → Power and corruption
• Bridges Without Rivers → Resilience in the
face of adversity
• The Dumpsite Puzzle → Courage and
teamwork when facing danger
• The Mermaid of Msambweni → Human
emotions and moral dilemmas
• The Hunter is Back → Overcoming personal
setbacks
 PERSONIFICATION
Personification
Definition:
Giving human qualities to non-living things
or animals.
Explanation:
• Makes writing lively
• Makes stories more interesting
Examples:
• “The wind whispered.”
• “The sun smiled.”
• "The wind whispered through the trees."
• "The sun smiled down on us."
• "The flowers danced in the breeze."
• "The waves slapped the shore angrily."
• "The moon watched over the sleeping
town."
• "The fire roared in the fireplace."
 SUSPENSE
Suspense
Definition:
The feeling of excitement or tension about
what will happen next.
Explanation:
• Makes the reader want to continue reading
• Keeps the story interesting
Examples:
• “He slowly opened the door…”
• A story ending in a cliffhanger
• Footsteps echoing behind a person at night
• A letter arrives that might reveal a shocking
secret
• A student waits nervously for exam results
• A character hides while someone searches
the room
 REPETITION
Repetition
Definition:
The repeated use of a word, phrase, or idea.
Explanation:
• Emphasizes an important idea
• Makes the message memorable
Examples:
• “Run, run, run!”
• “Never, never give up.”
• "Alone, alone, alone in the dark."
• "Slowly, slowly, the fog crept over the hill."
• "Again and again, he tried to open the
locked door."
• "She whispered, whispered, whispered until
no one listened."
• "Tomorrow, tomorrow, we will start a new
life."
 ONOMATOPOEIA
Onomatopoeia
Definition:
Words that sound like the noises they
describe.
Explanation:
• Makes the story lively
• Helps the reader hear the action
Examples:
• “Bang!”
• “Splash!”
• “Buzz!”
"Crash!"
• "Boom!"
• "Click!"
• "Pop!"
• "Sizzle!"
• "Hiss!"
• "Drip!"