Language
Use a range of vocabulary
A wide range of vocabulary demonstrates a strong command of language and makes your writing more lively, engaging and interesting to read.
Keep a list of new words that you encounter and use them in your writing. Endeavour to make sophisticated vocabulary choices where you can.
A thesaurus or A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase. dictionary can be useful for expanding your vocabulary. However, always check the meanings of unfamiliar words and find out how best to use them in a sentence.
Example: 鈥楾he petite feline devoured its daily nourishment.鈥
or 鈥楾he small cat ate its food.鈥
Which do you think conveys its meaning most effectively?
Use figurative language
Figurative language offers depth and colour to your fiction writing. Literal language states things as they are, whereas figurative language implies more layers of interpretation. You can use a range of literary devices to add depth to your fiction writing. Here are a few suggestions:
| Literary device | Definition | Example |
| Simile | Comparing one thing to another using 鈥榣ike鈥 or 鈥榓s鈥. | The cat was as fat as a barrel. She felt like she was trapped in a box. |
| Metaphor | Using one thing to represent another. | His coat was a museum, stuffed with bus ticket memories and forgotten button dreams. |
| Alliteration | Repetition of the initial consonant sound in a series of words. | Kate kicked the cupboard door and cried. |
| Personification | Giving human attributes to non-human things. | The door reached open, inviting him in. |
| Onomatopoeia | Words that sound like the noise they signify. | The bell clanged and clattered through the house. |
| Literary device | Simile |
|---|---|
| Definition | Comparing one thing to another using 鈥榣ike鈥 or 鈥榓s鈥. |
| Example | The cat was as fat as a barrel. She felt like she was trapped in a box. |
| Literary device | Metaphor |
|---|---|
| Definition | Using one thing to represent another. |
| Example | His coat was a museum, stuffed with bus ticket memories and forgotten button dreams. |
| Literary device | Alliteration |
|---|---|
| Definition | Repetition of the initial consonant sound in a series of words. |
| Example | Kate kicked the cupboard door and cried. |
| Literary device | Personification |
|---|---|
| Definition | Giving human attributes to non-human things. |
| Example | The door reached open, inviting him in. |
| Literary device | Onomatopoeia |
|---|---|
| Definition | Words that sound like the noise they signify. |
| Example | The bell clanged and clattered through the house. |
Aim to match your language to the mood of your piece. For example, if you are writing about a topic that is sad or sinister, 'the clouds gathered conspiringly overhead, the rumbles of thunder like whispers between them鈥 would be more convincing than 鈥榯he clouds above me floated by, each as fluffy as a marshmallow.鈥
Include the senses
Using senses in your writing is a good way to engage your reader.
As well as the visual aspects of a scene, you can include sounds, smells, feelings and (where appropriate) tastes to really bring your writing to life.
Compare these two descriptions:
I walked through the forest. The trees were tall. The branches were green.
I walked through the forest, crunching the leaves underfoot. The tall trees oozed a smell of summer 鈥 fresh and sweet. The branches, covered in moss, were soft and green.
Notice how the second version becomes more vivid with the inclusion of all the senses.
Use your imagination to put yourself in the place or next to the person you want to describe. Appeal to all the senses as you write.
Show, don鈥檛 tell
In real life we learn about people from their clothes and belongings as well as from the things they tell us. We understand someone鈥檚 mood from their facial expressions, movements and tone of voice 鈥 we don鈥檛 need someone to tell us they are in a bad mood鈥e can usually figure it out from the way they are shouting!
It is the same when you read. Instead of telling your readers everything about a character or place, try to show them instead.
For example:
Telling - The woman walked into the room looking intimidating and angry.
Showing - The woman stormed into the room, her black coat flying behind her. Her scowl was fierce as she scanned the room. Her piercing eyes settled on Sarah.
Telling - It was midnight and she walked out to the garden.
Showing - The sky was cloudless and the stars filled every inch of it. The moon glowed on the roses, turning them silvery white as she tiptoed out into the dark.