Below is a list of language techniques useful in creative writing and/or formal writing, including examples and effects:
Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition is where two unlike things are placed next to each other in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.
Example: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Effect: Shows how different the two things are, and can help to portray a theme and mood. Euphemism: When something negative is worded in a more positive way. Example: He passed away (he died). "Enhanced interrogation methods" (torture). Effect: In creative writing this can help to portray what type of character your person is, e.g kindhearted or sarcastic. Contrast: Used to describe the differences between two or more things. Similies and metaphors are used to show the similarities between two things but contrast is the opposite as it is used to show differences. Example: Juxtaposition and Antithesis are examples of contrast. Effect: Emphasises the differences between the two things, and can be used to create a theme/mood. Tautology: Unnecessary repetition of words with similar meanings. Example: She gazed at the evening sunset. He shouted out loud. Effect: Can be used to emphasise a point, such as in the above example. When you shout it is already loud, but the word loud emphasises the point that his shouting was very loud. Metonomy: A word or phrase that replaces and represents another word or phrase. Example: "The pen is mightier than the sword" Effect: This is a metonomy as the pen represents words, and the written word, and the sword represents force and aggression. This change of wording makes the sentence become more interesting and appealing to the reader/listener. |
Antithesis: Antithesis is similar to juxtaposition, but the things being compared are the complete opposite of each other.
Example: "Speech is silver, but silence is gold" Effect: The two opposite things being brought together make a whole. The opposite things balance each other out and make the reader able understand in more depth something that is being conveyed. Symbolism: An object, thing or person symbolises something else and has a different meaning than its usual meaning. In other words, symbolism is where one thing represents something else. The thing can also represent a theme or idea that is present throughout a story. Symbolism can also indicate or warn something to the reader. Example: Metaphors and Allegories (extended metaphors-metaphors that run through an entire text) are often symbolism. The metaphor "love is a jewel" is symbolism because it shows that love is something precious that should be treasured, and the jewel symbolises love. Effect: To convey something to the reader, for example a theme, moral or idea. Emotive Language: Words or phrases that make the reader feel emotional about something. Example: The thugs taunted the victim, circling him like a pack of vultures. Effect: This makes the reader feel particularly emotional, and produces a reaction. For example, emotive language can make the reader laugh or cry. Sibilance: Alliteration with the letter s. Example: The scaly serpent slithered silently towards them. Effect: This sound device can give a soft mood or a sinister mood, depending on how it is used. Oxymoron: Two opposite words that contradict each other put together. Example: The silence was deafening. Effect: Produces a contradictory effect that gives an impression on the reader, the effect the reader gets depends on how the oxymoron has been used. |