2. Discussion – Language Techniques
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What makes a good short story: Plot, characters, setting
Language and Techniques
When it comes to story writing, readers aren’t just interested in the plot, characters and setting. The WAY you write is really important too!
It would kind of like if in a movie, all the camera shots were really blurry or shaky! It just ruins the characters, setting and plot! Well poor writing can make your story very dry and boring.
That’s why using different kinds of techniques can really help improve not only your writing style, but also your story overall! This is another opportunity to test and try different things to develop your own unique writing style!
Literary Techniques
| Technique | Description | Example | Effect |
| Personification | Gives life to the setting, makes it more interesting/vivid. | ||
| Alliteration | Adds rhythm and emphasizes their association. | ||
| Assonance | It adds rhythm and flow to your sentences. | ||
| Contrast | It highlights the disparity between two things. | ||
| Hyperbole | Used to emphasise the action/description | ||
| Imagery | Creates vivid image for the reader | ||
| Irony | Highlights the opposite characteristic/humour | ||
| Metaphor | It is a creative way to describe something. It can also help reader imagine it better. | ||
| Simile | It is a creative way to describe something. It can also help reader imagine it better. | ||
| Repetition | It emphasizes the word or phrase. | ||
| Onomatopoeia | It helps reader imagine the sound for themselves. |
Other Techniques
| Technique | Description | Effect |
| Allegory | It translates a complicated idea into a simple story, making it easy for the reader to understand/relate to. | |
| Chekhov’s Gun | Provides tension/drama. Makes reader want to continue and discover the mystery. | |
| Dramatic Irony | Adds tension/drama. Specifically, it makes the reader wonder what will happen when the character finds out. | |
| Foreshadowing | Helps link the story together/provides an interesting twist | |
| Juxtaposition | Emphasises the difference between the things, or between the thing and the setting. | |
| Motif | Emphasises the significance of this thing. | |
| Paragraphing | Helps separate your text. Makes it easier for reading. Also can indicate different sections of the story. | |
| Punctuation | Can dictate how the reader reads a particular sentence or word. | |
| Symbolism | Makes the reader think of/feel something whenever it is mentioned. |