Writer's use of language writer's effect

A writer selects words and shapes them in the same way that an artist mixes particular hues of paint and applies them to a canvas using brush strokes. Writer’s effect is the powerful feeling that writers intend to inspire in their readers, through the use of special words or expressions or some unique patterns of writing. Writers commonly create effect through the use of the following techniques:
- Imagery
- Power/Powerful/Strong words
- Figurative language
- Miscellaneous methods (arrangement of letters and words, shapes of letters, etc.)

1. … Starter On the next slide, scan through the grid of letters on the left and try to identify the appropriate synonyms for those words on the right. There’s a first letter hint already provided to help you in identifying the proper synonyms.

2. . . GRID OF LETTERS Words Synonyms D E M O L I S H O P Confuse Bulldoze Accelerate Tolerate Phobia Surgeon Ricochet Spouse Surplus Silenced B____________ D___________ H____________ E____________ F____________ P ____________ R____________ H____________ E____________ H____________ B D T O S S R A N D S P H Y S I C I A N D E N R O Z C C B Z H I C H U S B A N D E N D U R E F E A R R X A R L M T M E E P Q W R Y S U D X B I N D B A C L E C O S A N H R I J H E U A P P L W S K S S N S D T E G D L U S D D A B D Y Y N H P V

3. . . GRID OF LETTERS Words Synonyms D E M O L I S H O P Confuse Bulldoze Accelerate Tolerate Phobia Surgeon Ricochet Spouse Surplus Silenced Bewilder Demolish Hasten Endure Fear Physician Rebound Husband Excess Hushed B D T O S S R A N D S P H Y S I C I A N D E N R O Z C C B Z H I C H U S B A N D E N D U R E F E A R R X A R L M T M E E P Q W R Y S U D X B I N D B A C L E C O S A N H R I J H E U A P P L W S K S S N S D T E G D L U S D D A B D Y Y N H P V

4. Understanding Writers’ Use of Language At the end of the lesson, learners should be able to: define writer’s effect identify expressions with certain effect in texts analyze writers’ intentions and methods ©adebesin.ibraheem [email protected]

5. Writer’s Effect A writer selects words and shapes them in the same way that an artist mixes particular hues of paint and applies them to a canvas using brush strokes. Writer’s effect is the powerful feeling that writers intend to inspire in their readers, through the use of special words or expressions or some unique patterns of writing. Writers commonly create effect through the use of the following techniques: Imagery Power/Powerful/Strong words Figurative language Miscellaneous methods (arrangement of letters and words, shapes of letters, etc.) WRITER’S EFFECT

6. Writer’s Effect IMAGERY Imagery is the use of words to create images in our minds, so as to help us imagine seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting what is being described. Imagery works in these five ways: Visual Imagery : Words that appeal to readers’ sense of sight and help them imagine seeing things being described. Auditory Imagery : Words that appeal to readers’ sense of hearing and help them imagine hearing sounds being described. Olfactory Imagery :  Words that appeal to readers’ sense of smell and help them imagine perceiving or smelling things being described. Gustatory Imagery : Words that appeal to readers’ sense of taste and help them imagine tasting things being described. Tactile Imagery : Words that appeal to readers’ sense of touch and help them imagine feeling the touch of things being described

7. Writer’s Effect VISUAL IMAGERY (visuals) The night was black as ever, but bright stars lit up the sky in beautiful and different constellations which were sprinkled across the astronomical landscape. Readers can enjoy the experience of the peaceful night by SEEING the beauty of the night sky , through the writer’s use of visual/sight imagery – the colour (black as ever, bright), the shape ( different constellations), and the pattern (sprinkled). AUDITORY IMAGERY (sound) The silence was broken by the peal of piano keys as Shannon began practicing her concerto. Through the writer’s use of auditory /sound imagery (‘peal’), readers can HEAR how the sound of piano keys breaks the silence around. OLFACTORY IMAGERY (smell) She smelled the scent of sweet hibiscus wafting through the air ; its tropical smell was a reminder that she was on vacation in a beautiful place. The SMELL or scent of hibiscus helps readers imagine a scene which is relaxing, warm, and welcoming. GUSTATORY IMAGERY (taste) The candy melted in her mouth and swirls of bittersweet chocolate and slightly sweet but salty caramel blended together on her tongue. The description of the TASTES of the various flavours of candy helps reader s imagine the deliciousness . TACTILE IMAGERY (touch) After the long run, he collapsed in the grass , panting heavily . The grass tickled his skin and sweat cooled on his brow. Through the use of TOUCH-related words (tactile imagery), readers can imagine the feeling of grass touching one’s skin and sweat cooling one’s skin.

8. … Power/Powerful words Power or powerful words are persuasive, descriptive or action words that trigger a positive or negative emotional response; words that could make us feel scared, encouraged, aroused, angry, or curious. Such power words could be verbs, adverbs or adjectives. They carry more force than ordinary words. Powerful Verbs assault, bomb, endanger, terrify, horrify, plunge, amaze, ascend, imperil, vanquish, disgust, debase, perverse, saunter, repel, revolt, starve, Powerful Adverbs menacingly Blatantly, brutally Cowardly, s wiftly , g rudgingly , i mpatiently . B riskly , a mbitiously , creatively Powerful Adjectives astounding, breathtaking, colossal, jubilant, mind-blowing, phenomenal, sensational spectacular, indelible, valiant, wonderful

9. . … Instead of using ‘ rise quickly ’, use ‘ skyrocket ’ , ‘ soar ’ , ‘ spring ’ , etc. Instead of using ‘ a sk sleepily ’ , use   ’ mumble ’ , ‘ murmur ’ , ‘ mutter ’, etc. Instead of using ‘ b reathe heavily ’,   use ‘ gasp ’ , ‘ pant ’ , ‘ wheeze ’ , etc. Instead of using ‘ b urn brightly ’ , use ‘ blaze ’ , ‘ flare ’ , ‘ glare ’ , etc. Instead of using ‘ c hange slightly ’, use ‘ acclimate ’ , ‘ adapt ’ , ‘ adjust ’ , etc. Instead of using ‘ c hew continuously ’ , use ‘ chomp ’ , ‘ gnaw ’ , ‘ munch ’ , etc. Instead of using ‘ c lose loudly ’ , use ‘ bang ’ , ‘ slam ’, etc. Instead of using ‘ c ollide violently ’, use ‘ crash ' , ‘ plow into ’ , ‘ slam into ’ , etc. Instead of using ‘ d estroy utterly ’, use ‘ annihilate ’ , ‘ decimate ’ , etc. Instead of using ‘ d rink greedily ’, use ‘ devour ’ , guzzle ’ , ' swill ’, etc. Instead of using ‘ e at hurriedly ’, use ‘ bolt ’ , ‘ gobble ’ , ‘ inhale ’, etc. More examples of powerful/strong verbs

10. . … Instead of using ‘ very noisy’, use ‘ deafening ’. Instead of using ‘ very painful’, use ‘ excruciating ’. Instead of using ‘ very poor’, use ‘ destitute ’. Instead of using ‘ very damaging/upsetting’, use ‘ devastating ’ Instead of using ‘ very beautiful’, use ‘ gorgeous ’. Instead of using ‘ very busy’, use ‘ swamped ’. Instead of using ‘ very crowded’, use ‘ packed ’. Instead of using ‘ very happy/excited’, use ‘ thrilled ’ More examples of powerful adjectives

11. … There is cloud in the sky. It’s likely it rains today. The cloud is pregnant . It’s likely heaven weeps today. Simple, literal language Figurative language FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

12. . … Simile : Indirect comparison between two dissimilar things, using ‘as’ or ‘like’. She is just like a leopard; she can’t change her spots. I am as certain as death is. Personification : Giving animate qualities to inanimate things . Shanghai College gave birth to those highly decorated athletes. Sick cars shouldn’t be allowed on major roads. Metaphor : Direct comparison created between two or more oddly related things . Ensure this Judas isn’t nearby when you discuss confidential matters. Sorry, I’ve got no strength for any work until I’ve fuelled my tank (referring to eating). Hyperbole : Exaggerating or overblowing expressions. Oh my God! The whole city was at Clifford and Christine’s wedding! He’s nice to a fault; he’d give you his eyes . Irony : An expression intended to mean the opposite of the speaker’s original intention. Great mother ! I heard you abandoned your two kids when they were just 2 months old. My country cares slimly for its teeming youth. Such a great country to die for !

13. … See how writers variously create effects with the language used in the texts. Writer’s effect in action

14. What do you understand by ‘connotation’ I felt somewhat embarrassed that the only person who had the code to crack the last riddle was the cleaner I had earlier spoken so rudely to. I couldn’t afford to lose the prize money. So, I had to pocket my pride , walk to her cubicle and apologize to her. She willingly gave me the code, smiling, and I won the money, eventually. Guess what! I offered her a reward after my win but she very politely declined it. The whole thing was such a humbling experience for me. By the time you get to Year 7, you will have 4 more rungs to climb before taking the IGCSE exam.

15. … Sample Text Analysis of Writers’ Use of Language There, where I laid feebly on the bed, still being drip fed, my face wore a frail beam, and simultaneously, affectionate tears danced down my cheeks. The feeling was indescribable, looking at the tiny adorable creature I had just brought into being. Its thrilling tiny cries overwhelmed me with indefinable joy. I fell deeply in love with it the moment I saw it, and when the genial nurse informed me, “It’s a boy,” my smile broadened, and I managed to utter, “Thank you, nurse Sasha.” I couldn’t take my wary eyes off him, as I felt I had finally found a real purpose for my existence. He looked so tiny and fragile in his cot. So innocent, so pure, so cute; he held his two miniature hands together close to his mouth, yearning for a taste of his first food. I was still too weak to breastfeed him. As a nurse took him away to be fed, my eyes weakly trailed her, until my vision suddenly dimmed, and dark memories of the last seven years resurged in my mind – memories of pains, of prolonged torture, of abuse, of betrayal of trust. I, the credulous victim; and the creatures I banked on the most in life – my father, my uncle, my brother – were the predatory abusers. How did the writer use language to create the mood of happiness and the mood of sadness in the text?

16. Mood refers to the internal feelings and emotions of an individual, while atmosphere is always associated with the general conditions or setting of a place. In the text, obviously set in a hospital and spotlighting the arrival of the writer’s new baby, the mood of happiness is evoked with expressions like “ …my face beamed with pleasure… ”, “ affectionate tears dance down my cheeks ”, “ The feeling was indescribable ”, “ Its tiny cries overwhelmed me with indefinable joy ”, “ I fell deeply in love with it… ” and “ my smile broadened. ” Through these words, one sees and feels that, in spite of the writer’s weakness, caused, perhaps, by some birthing complications, she was still very elated. The mood of happiness is conjured with the warm interaction between the doctor who announced the sex of the newborn as ‘ male ’ and the new mother who captured her joy with a smile and a “ thank you ”. Her admiration for the new child is so glaring and profound. However, there is a swift switch from elation to dejection, as a sudden terrifying memory reared its ugly head in the mind of the writer. The memory opened up an old injury, an incident of sexual abuse, suffered sometime ago, by the writer, in the hands of the relatives she trusted. The contrast is very balanced, with the presentation of the different events in two separate paragraphs and with the use of two sets of opposing expressions: “ Indefinable joy ” and “ prolonged torture ”, “ affectionate tears danced… ” and “ dark memories resurged in my mind ”, “ my face beamed with joy ” and “… my vision suddenly dimmed ,” etc. SAMPLE RESPONSE

17. In her traditional mourning dress, Ozoemena’s beauty still screamed. Her creamy skin seemed like that of an angel, rarely seen only in one’s dream. She had remained so stunning, despite her age – two scores and a dozen; despite her ill luck – recently losing an insanely loved husband of three decades. Ozoemena adored her genius hubby and owed all her successes in life to him, a husband like no other. She would say if not for him, she would never have attended university; if not for him, she would still be walking barefoot in the village; if not for him, she would never have lived in a duplex with a high fence and large compound; if not for him, she would never have been on a plane; if not for him, she would never have had the privilege to sit and chat with the esteemed prince of Edinburgh; if not for him, she would never have had a charming son, who, like his father, now chose to settle down with a simple, smashing, dimpled girl; if not for him… … Ozoemena deified Paulinus. Read the passage below and discuss the writer’s use of language

18. Sound : The writer’s use of the rhyming long vowel / I: / in ‘scr ea med’, ‘cr ea my’, ‘s ee med’, ‘s ee n’ and ‘dr ea m’ adds to the quality of the description, in a way that helps the readers to really appreciate the beauty of Ozoemena. Also, the repeated sounds ( alliteration ) /s/ and /d/ in ‘ s imple’ and ‘ s mashing’ and in ‘ d impled d amsel’ create some pleasant feeling to the ear, making the readers appreciate the beauty of the other young woman.  Simile : Using the simile ‘…like that of an angel rarely seen in one’s dream’ enables the readers to imagine Ozoemena’s beauty as something so uncommon and exceptional. Repetition : ‘ despite her age – two scores and a dozen; ‘ despite her ill luck – recently losing an insanely loved husband of three decades.’ In her traditional mourning dress, Ozoemena’s beauty still screamed. Her creamy skin seemed like that of an angel, rarely seen only in one’s dream. She had remained so stunning, despite her age – two scores and a dozen; despite her ill luck – recently losing an insanely loved husband of three decades. Ozoemena adored her genius hubby and owed all her successes in life to him, a husband like no other. She would say if not for him, she would never have attended university; if not for him, she would still be walking barefoot in the village; if not for him, she would never have lived in a duplex with a high fence and large compound; if not for him, she would never have been on a plane; if not for him, she would never have had the privilege to sit and chat with the esteemed prince of Edinburgh; if not for him, she would never have had a charming son, who, like his father, now chose to settle down with a simple, smashing, dimpled girl; if not for him… … Ozoemena deified Paulinus.

19. In her traditional mourning dress, Ozoemena’s beauty still screamed. Her creamy skin seemed like that of an angel, rarely seen only in one’s dream. She had remained so stunning, despite her age – two scores and a dozen; despite her ill luck – recently losing an insanely loved husband of three decades. Ozoemena adored her genius hubby and owed all her successes in life to him, a husband like no other. She would say if not for him, she would never have attended university; if not for him, she would still be walking barefoot in the village; if not for him, she would never have lived in a duplex with a high fence and large compound; if not for him, she would never have been on a plane; if not for him, she would never have had the privilege to sit and chat with the esteemed prince of Edinburgh; if not for him, she would never have had a charming son, who, like his father, now chose to settle down with a simple, smashing, dimpled girl; if not for him… … Ozoemena deified Paulinus. The repeated structure ‘ despite her… ’ might force readers to pay attention to those possible situations that could affect people’s beauty, ‘ ageing ’ and ‘ agony ’. However, in this situation, these things had not affected Ozoemena’s beauty. Also, the repeated use of ‘ if not for him… ’ gives us an idea of the huge impact the late husband might have had, while alive, in the life of his wife. It creates an awesome feeling about the grandness and uniqueness of the man. Hyphen : Hyphens are used here to reveal some extra information about Ozoemena: her age ( two scores and a dozen ) and the nature of the tragedy that recently befell her (she lost ‘ an insanely loved husband of three decades ’) Mathematical terms: The writer’s choice of mathematical terms – ‘ scores ’ (20s), ‘ dozen ’ (12), ‘ decades ’ (10s)– in describing the lady’s age might be an attempt to make readers pause to think and calculate the sum, thereby getting them more engaged in the reading.

20. In her traditional mourning dress, Ozoemena’s beauty still screamed. Her creamy skin seemed like that of an angel, rarely seen only in one’s dream. She had remained so stunning, despite her age – two scores and a dozen; despite her ill luck – recently losing an insanely loved husband of three decades. Ozoemena adored her genius hubby and owed all her successes in life to him, a husband like no other. She would say if not for him, she would never have attended university; if not for him, she would still be walking barefoot in the village; if not for him, she would never have lived in a duplex with a high fence and large compound; if not for him, she would never have been on a plane; if not for him, she would never have had the privilege to sit and chat with the esteemed prince of Edinburgh; if not for him, she would never have had a charming son, who, like his father, now chose to settle down with a simple, smashing, dimpled girl; if not for him… … Ozoemena deified Paulinus. Suspense : There is the effect of suspense created through the withholding of the name of Ozoemena’s late husband, from the beginning of the text and this is sustained till the end, when the name was eventually mentioned last. Readers might be curious to know who the man being described was but, in the end, the identity was released – Paulinus . The withholding of the name might be said to attest to the fact that Ozoemena truly really idolized the man.

21. … QUICK TASK Quietly read this short text and discuss with your teacher what you find fascinating about the text, in terms of how language has been used in it. As the fiery Rafael stomped into the cold room, the three men working on the box sprang and froze. His dark eyes, beaded with sweat and spitting fire, darted from left to right and his jet-black hair stood on end. He had a crooked nose and jagged teeth that made him look like a starving shark waiting to pounce. His greying lips quivered menacingly as beads of sweat bowled down the greasy, scarred face. He wiped his face with one of his huge hands and let out a ferocious cough. I was sure of my invisibility and as I was sidling away from the tense room, he yelled, “stop!”. I stopped dead.

22. … As the fiery Rafael stomped into the cold room, the three men working on the box sprang and froze . His dark eyes, beaded with sweat and spitting fire , darted from left to right and his jet-black hair stood on end. He had a crooked nose and jagged teeth that made him look like a starving shark waiting to pounce. His greying lips quivered menacingly as beads of sweat bowled down the greasy , scarred face. He wiped his face with one of his huge hands and let out a ferocious cough. I was sure of my invisibility and as I was sidling away from the tense room, he yelled , “stop!”. I stopped dead. (Powerful) verbs Stomped, sprang, froze, darted, quivered, bowled, wiped, let out, sidling, yelled (Powerful) adjectives Fiery, cold, dark, beaded with sweat, spitting fire, jet-black, crooked, jagged, starving, greying, greasy, scarred, huge , ferocious (Powerful) adverbs Menacingly

23. … ‘About midnight, while we still sat up, the storm came rattling over the Heights in full fury . There was a violent wind, as well as thunder, and either one or the other split a tree off at the corner of the building: a huge bough fell across the roof, and knocked down a portion of the east chimney-stack, sending a clatter of stones and soot into the kitchen-fire.’ SAMPLE ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE Emily Bronte “The Wuthering Height” The overall effect of the language used in this text is to depict the suddenness of the arrival of a storm and the degree of damage caused by the storm. Here, Brontë used verbs such as ‘ rattling ’, ‘ split ’ and ‘ fell ’ to suggest the intensity of the storm. The adjective ‘ violent ’ and the phrase ‘ full fury ’ reinforce this idea. Then, repeating the ‘ tt ’ sounds in ‘ rattling ’ and ‘ clatter ’ gives an  onomatopoeic  quality to the description, alongside the destructive movement. The harsh effect of the storm is later captured using “ split a tree ”, causing “ a huge bough ” to fall, to “ knock down ” some part of a chimney-stack.

24. … ‘The boat moved with a nauseous, relentless rhythm, like someone chewing on a rotten tooth. The islands just visible through the mist also looked like teeth, Faith decided.’ SAMPLE ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE "The Lie Tree”  by Frances Hardinge In the first sentence, Hardinge has used a  simile  to create a disturbing comparison between the motion of the boat and the action of biting. The language helps to build up, in readers’ minds, an image of what’s being described. A simile is a form of comparison between two things, using ‘like’ or ‘as’. It seems as if Faith is actually being chewed up inside a rotten mouth and hints that her destination might be a dangerous place.

25. … CLASS TASK/ASSIGNMENT Read the next text carefully. Then, identify about TEN words or phrases and explain/analyze how the writer has used them to create effect in the text.

26. … He attempted to push the door open but the smarter door slid open, unaided. Then, the first sign that his probing eyes perched on as he lumbered through the automated door into an anteroom was a screaming inscription on the adjacent wall: “The walls of hospitals have heard more sincere prayers than religious houses.” He halted, sighed and started pondering over those uncanny words. But again, his attention was abruptly arrested by something else – an illuminated signboard on which was etched the images of medical tools: a stethoscope, a microscope, an ultrasound scan machine, and pharmaceutical drugs. He abandoned the earlier thought and the latter sight and moved on. He shambled into the capacious lounge, where a fair number of people were seated, with diverse emotions plastered on their faces – gleam and gloom. He had nursed a protracted phobia for hospitals – a condition known as nosocomephobia – and only recently was he able to slough off that unexplainable dread. His chain of thoughts got interrupted by a soft voice calling out his name and a gentle touch on his shoulder. “Garry?” He turned to see a sexagenarian woman, whose eyes were widened in surprise. “Garry in my hospital?” She said, chuckling. “History is made today!”

27. … See the annotation already done for you on the next slide, to help you identify specific words to be discussed for effect.

28. … He attempted to push the door open but the smarter door slid open, unaided. Then, the first sign that his probing eyes perched on as he lumbered through the automated door into an anteroom was a screaming inscription on the adjacent wall: “The walls of hospitals have heard more sincere prayers than religious houses.” He halted, sighed and started pondering over those uncanny words. But again, his attention was abruptly arrested by something else – an illuminated signboard on which was etched the images of medical tools: a stethoscope, a microscope, an ultrasound scan machine, and pharmaceutical drugs. He abandoned the earlier thought and the latter sight and moved on. He shambled into the capacious lounge , where a fair number of people were seated, with diverse emotions plastered on their faces – gleam and gloom. He had nursed a protracted phobia for hospitals – a condition known as nosocomephobia – and only recently was he able to slough off that unexplainable dread. His chain of thoughts got interrupted by a soft voice calling out his name and a gentle touch on his shoulder. “Garry?” He turned to see a sexagenarian woman, whose eyes were widened in surprise. “Garry in my hospital?” She said, chuckling. “History is made today!”