Language
Example of a simile from The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
When talking about language in prose fiction, there are a number of things you could look for:
- literary techniques, for example A comparison using 'like' or 'as' to create a vivid image, eg as big as a whale; float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. and A comparison made without using 'like' or 'as', eg 'sea of troubles' and 'drowning in debt'.
- other language techniques, for example Language that makes the reader experience a certain emotional response to the writing. language, Over-the-top exaggeration for effect. or The way a person is addressed, for example by first name, pronoun or title.
- An idea or image which is suggested by a word, which is not its dictionary meaning, eg the connotation of 'desk' might be school. of particular word choices
- language choices within The spoken words of characters., for instance if Different spoken forms of the same language. is used to reveal more about a character
- types of words used in the text, for example A describing word. , Name of a person, place, thing, or idea., A 'doing' word; a word expressing action. 'Walk', 'talk', 'come', 'go', 'eat' and 'sleep' are all verbs., A word that describes a verb (an action or a doing word).
Many words can be understood in different ways:
- denotations - their dictionary meaning
- connotations - the ideas they link to
For example, the word 'desk' literally denotes a table, but it has connotations of work and study.
Words can reveal a theme, such as death, or love, or create a particular mood in a section of the narrative.
Patterns in Language
It鈥檚 useful to look for any patterns in the language chosen by the writer, as these patterns may suggest important themes or deeper meanings beyond the obvious. For example:
- Is there a particular A group of words that are linked by meaning, for example words about family or words linked to the supernatural.聽 used by the writer? (For example words linked to the military or hospitals.)
- Does the writer repeat any ideas or images? (These could act as a A recurring element or symbol in a text (or work of art), the repetition of which contributes to establishing a theme. in the text.)
- Does the writer favour a particular type of word? (For example using lots of A noun denoting an idea or quality rather than an object. like dream, love, peace, friendship.)
- Can words or phrases from different parts of the text be linked in some way?