English: 98 interactive topics
Grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, poetry, drama and the skills for clear communication.
About English at secondary level
English on LearnViz SecondaryEdu has 98 interactive topics. English topics help you read closely and write with purpose, so each one here explains a skill and shows how it works in a model text.
Every topic has a clear definition, key points written for secondary school, an animation you can control, and a three-question quiz. Topics are independent, so you can start anywhere.
How to study English with LearnViz
- Start with a topic you already know a little about, then move to one that is new to you.
- Use the animation before you read the key points. Predicting the result first makes the explanation easier to remember.
- Finish each quiz, then review the questions you got wrong. Mark a topic complete once you can explain it in your own words.
- Read one short text, underline one example of each technique, and write a sentence on its effect.
98 topics
1NounsA noun is a word that names a person, place, thing or idea.2PronounsA pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun to avoid…3VerbsA verb is a word that describes an action, state or occurrence and…4Verb TensesTenses show when an action happens: in the past, present or future.5AdjectivesAn adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun, telling…6AdverbsAn adverb is a word that modifies a verb, adjective or another…7PrepositionsA preposition shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and…8ConjunctionsA conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases or clauses together.9Articles and DeterminersArticles and determiners are words placed before nouns to show…10Parts of Speech OverviewThe eight parts of speech are noun, pronoun, verb, adjective,…11Subjects and PredicatesEvery complete sentence has a subject that tells who or what it is…12Sentence TypesSentences can be simple, compound, complex or compound-complex,…13Clauses and PhrasesA clause has a subject and a verb, while a phrase is a group of…14Statements, Questions, Commands and ExclamationsSentences have four functions: they make statements, ask questions,…15Active and Passive VoiceIn the active voice the subject performs the action, while in the…16Direct and Indirect SpeechDirect speech repeats the exact words someone said in quotation…17Subject-Verb AgreementThe verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject, so…18ConditionalsConditional sentences express what happens if a condition is met,…19Punctuation: Full Stops, Commas and Question MarksPunctuation marks organise writing so that readers can follow…20ApostrophesAn apostrophe shows that letters are missing in a contraction or…21Colons, Semicolons and DashesColons introduce lists or explanations, semicolons join related…22Quotation Marks and SpeechQuotation marks surround the exact words spoken or quoted, with…23Capital LettersCapital letters mark the start of sentences and the names of…24Spelling RulesSpelling rules and patterns help writers spell words correctly even…25Common Spelling MistakesCommon spelling mistakes arise from homophones, silent letters and…26Homophones and HomonymsHomophones sound alike but have different meanings and spellings,…27Prefixes and SuffixesPrefixes are added to the start of a word and suffixes to the end,…28Root Words and Word FamiliesMany English words come from Latin and Greek roots, and knowing…29Synonyms and AntonymsSynonyms are words with similar meanings and antonyms are words…30Using a Dictionary and ThesaurusA dictionary gives spelling, meaning and usage, while a thesaurus…31Idioms and ProverbsIdioms are phrases whose meaning is different from the literal…32Figurative LanguageFigurative language uses words in non-literal ways to create vivid…33Imagery and Sensory DetailImagery is descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping…34Alliteration, Assonance and OnomatopoeiaSound devices like alliteration, assonance and onomatopoeia add…35Tone, Mood and AtmosphereTone is the writer's attitude, while mood or atmosphere is the…36Point of ViewPoint of view is the perspective from which a story is told, such…37Irony and SarcasmIrony is when the actual meaning differs from or contrasts with the…38Reading ComprehensionReading comprehension is understanding what you read, by finding…39Skimming and ScanningSkimming is reading quickly to get the main idea and scanning is…40Inference and DeductionInference means working out what is not stated directly by…41SummarisingA summary is a short account of the main points of a text, in your…42Fact and OpinionA fact can be checked and proved, while an opinion is a personal…43Bias and PersuasionBias is a one-sided view, and persuasive writing uses techniques to…44Analysing Language and StructureAnalysing a text means explaining how the writer's choices of…45Fiction: Elements of a StoryA story has key elements: character, setting, plot, conflict and…46Plot StructureA typical plot moves through exposition, rising action, climax,…47CharacterisationCharacterisation is how writers reveal what characters are like…48Setting and AtmosphereThe setting is the time and place of a story, which creates…49Themes and MessagesA theme is an underlying idea that a text explores, such as…50Short StoriesA short story is a brief work of fiction that tells one focused…51Novels and Famous AuthorsNovels are long works of fiction, and famous authors such as…52Poetry: Form and StructurePoems use lines and stanzas, with structure choices such as rhyme…53Rhyme and RhythmRhyme is the repetition of similar end sounds, and rhythm is the…54Types of PoemCommon poetic forms include sonnets, haiku, limericks, ballads and…55Analysing a PoemTo analyse a poem, consider its subject, speaker, language, form…56Romantic and War PoetryRomantic poets such as Wordsworth wrote about nature and emotion,…57Shakespeare's Life and TheatreWilliam Shakespeare was an English playwright who lived from 1564…58Shakespeare's LanguageShakespeare's English can seem unusual, but it follows patterns of…59Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's tragedy about two young lovers…60MacbethMacbeth is a tragedy about a Scottish nobleman who murders the king…61A Midsummer Night's DreamA Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedy about lovers, fairies and…62Drama and StagecraftDrama is writing intended to be performed, using dialogue, stage…63ScriptwritingA script uses dialogue and stage directions to present a story,…64Writing to InformInformative writing explains facts clearly and accurately, as in…65Writing to PersuadePersuasive writing tries to convince the reader to agree or act,…66Writing to ArgueArgument writing presents a case with evidence and logic, often…67Writing to DescribeDescriptive writing paints a picture in words using precise detail…68Narrative WritingNarrative writing tells a story with a clear structure, engaging…69Writing LettersLetters follow a format that depends on the audience, with formal…70Writing EmailsEmails are short messages whose tone depends on the reader, with a…71Writing Reports and ReviewsReports present facts in an organised structure, and reviews give…72Writing SpeechesA speech is written to be spoken aloud, using devices like…73Paragraphing and OrganisationA paragraph groups sentences about one idea, and good organisation…74Connectives and Discourse MarkersConnectives are linking words that show relationships between…75Planning and DraftingGood writing begins with planning ideas, followed by drafting,…76Editing and ProofreadingEditing improves clarity and style, while proofreading finds…77Formal and Informal RegisterRegister is the level of formality in language, chosen to suit…78Standard English and DialectsStandard English is the widely accepted form used in education and…79History of the English LanguageEnglish developed from Old English with Germanic roots, was changed…80Word OriginsMany English words come from other languages such as Latin, French,…81Speaking and ListeningEffective speaking and listening involve clear speech, active…82PresentationsA good presentation has a clear structure, confident delivery and…83DebatingA debate is a structured discussion where teams argue for and…84Rhetorical DevicesRhetorical devices are techniques that make speech and writing more…85Media LiteracyMedia literacy is the ability to understand, question and evaluate…86Advertising TechniquesAdvertisements use slogans, celebrity endorsement, emotive language…87Newspaper WritingNewspaper articles present news with a headline, byline and lead…88Travel and Biography WritingTravel writing describes places vividly from personal experience,…89Literary Movements and PeriodsLiterature is grouped into periods such as the Renaissance,…90Fables, Myths and LegendsFables, myths and legends are traditional stories that explain the…91Gothic LiteratureGothic literature mixes horror, mystery and romance in gloomy…92Science Fiction and FantasyScience fiction and fantasy imagine worlds beyond reality,…93Reading for PleasureReading for pleasure builds vocabulary, imagination, empathy and…94Exam Technique in EnglishGood exam technique means reading questions carefully, planning…95Handwriting and PresentationClear handwriting and tidy presentation help readers understand…96Poetry WritingWriting poetry involves choosing vivid words, using devices like…97Creative Writing SkillsCreative writing develops imagination and style through vivid…98Communication in the Digital AgeDigital communication through email, messaging and social media…
English: frequently asked questions
How many topics are in English?
English has 98 interactive topics on this site. Each one has its own page, so you can study them in any order.
Is English free to use?
Yes. Every topic, animation and quiz can be used in your browser without creating an account. Your progress is saved only on your own device.
Who is the English content for?
It is written for secondary school students studying English, and for teachers or parents who want a clear visual explanation. It supports your syllabus and your teacher rather than replacing them.
How do I move between topics?
Each topic page has Previous and Next links, a list of related topics, and a search box in the header. You can also filter the list on this page to find a topic by name.