Literary term
Onomatopoeia
A word that imitates the sound it describes, such as crash, buzz or splash.
What it means
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sounds they describe, such as crash, buzz, hiss, splash or crackle. The word itself sounds like the thing it names. It brings a scene to life through the ear as well as the eye.
Onomatopoeia makes description more vivid and immediate, letting a reader almost hear a slamming door or a bubbling stream. It is common in poetry and descriptive prose. It often works alongside other sound devices to build a rich, sensory impression of a place or an action.
It is often strongest when several sound words build a whole soundscape.
Why it matters in the exam
In the reading and Literature papers, onomatopoeia is a clear way for a writer to appeal to hearing. Explaining its effect strengthens answers about imagery and atmosphere. In descriptive and narrative writing, well-chosen onomatopoeia adds energy and realism to action and setting.
It shows the examiner you are building a scene deliberately through sound.
Example
"The gravel crunched and popped under the tyres as the car crept up the drive" lets the reader hear the slow, careful approach.
How to use it
Identify the sound word and the noise it imitates. Then explain how hearing that sound makes the description more vivid or shapes the mood. Link it to the wider sensory picture.
In your own writing, choose precise sound words that match the action exactly. Use them alongside other senses, not on their own.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Onomatopoeia" accurately in an answer.