Techniques & Effects

Techniques & Effects

Identifying Techniques

Effect on the Audience

Identifying Writer's Techniques

• If a phrase or technique used by the writer has a technical term, use it. It shows you understand the specific devices a writer is using and helps to gain the highest marks. These techniques are not limited to language. They could be any out of the following:

  
  

• Word classes, literary devices, dramatic techniques characterisation, setting, structural techniques

Poll

How confident do you feel in identifying word classes?

Poll

How confident do you feel in identifying literary devices?

Poll

How confident do you feel in identifying dramatic techniques?

Poll

How confident do you feel in identifying characterisation?

Poll

How confident do you feel in identifying setting?

Poll

How confident do you feel in structural techniques?

Word Classes

Adjective - describing word.

Noun - Name (person, place or thing) sometimes split into concrete nouns (things you can touch such as a table) and abstract nouns (things you can't touch such as imagination).

Verb - An action (usually can add an -ing on the end to make present tense such as running).

Adverb - A word used to describe a verb (such as he was running frantically. Often can add -ly to the end but not always).

Preposition - Positions a subject within a sentence (such as under the table or he arrived on time).

Literary Devices

• Metaphors - a comparison using is or was (he was a god to me).

• Similes - a comparison using like or as (she was as joyless as a wet and windy day).

• Onomatopoeia - a word which represents the sound it makes (The plates smashed to the ground).

• Hyperbole - exaggeration for effect (I might die of thirst).

• Imagery - painting a picture with words (use sparingly).

• Symbol - something to represent a particular idea (i.e. clocks to represent the passing of time).

• Personification - giving inanimate objects human qualities (the wind howled).

Dramatic Techniques

• Stage directions

• Status

• Proxemics

• Pauses / silence

• Dialogue

Characterisation

• How characters are introduced

• How characters are described (actions / appearance)

• Characters as devices / symbols

• Protagonists / antagonists

• Character foils

Setting

• Descriptions of places to provide meaning / detail

• Contextual details

• Foreshadowing

Structural Techniques

• Acts / Scenes

• Foreshadowing

• Order of events

• Dramatic irony

• Timespan

• Climax

• Mood

Important Things to Remember

When identifying specific techniques the writer is using, make sure everything you select fully relates to the essay question you are answering. You need to ensure that you have shown in your complete essay that you understand language, form and structure o think carefully if your chosen quotes and what techniques are being used within them has allowed you to show this. You only need to show an awareness of form & structure once within the essay.

Open Ended

Do you have any questions regarding identifying the writer's techniques that we can address before we move on?

Effect on the Audience

After you have explained / analysed the writer's intentions in each of your paragraphs you should discuss the effect upon the audience. After all, this would be the reason that the playwright has chosen to use specific techniques. This explanation can also form your ability to show some of your personal response for AO4.

Effect on the Audience Example

The playwright skilfully portrays the character of Mason (the officer's cook and servant) as a lower-class soldier whose role it is to serve. Mason is used as a device to offer light relief into the play, which on the whole is very tense. Humour is used from the opening act in which the audience meet Mason. During a discussion about dinner, Mason is asked what kind of soup he is serving. 'It's yellow soup, sir' is his reply. Contextually this response is very telling. Much of the food served to the soldiers was unknown and of varying quality. The officers would have had the best of the rations.

Effect on the Audience Example Cont.

By having Mason respond in such a definitive way, rather than stating that he didn't know what the soup contained, has allowed the playwright to introduce a lightness that is needed for the audience and, in fact, for the characters who are waiting for an inevitable attack from the Germans. The lightness is especially needed in this scene, whereby Stanhope has just had the shock of Raleigh joining his company.

Open Ended

Any questions?