Identifying language techniques



Identifying language techniques

Composers use various language techniques or features to make their texts more interesting and engaging to the responder.

Some language techniques used by Stephen Herrick in The Simple Gift are:

• simile: comparing one thing with another using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’

• metaphor: a comparison where one thing is said to be another

• colloquial language: everyday speech characterised by informal language and shortened words (g’day, can’t)

• direct speech: quotation marks (“) are used to indicate direct speech, that is, the exact words that are spoken

• slang: words which are fashionable within a small group for a short period of time

• literary allusion: makingreference to other well known books, films, etc

• first person: using the pronouns I, me, my, us, we

• comparatives and superlatives: adjectives for comparing, e.g.:

|Adjective |Comparative |Superlative |

|long |longer |longest |

|small |smaller |smallest |

|bright |brighter |brightest |

• ellipsis: three dots to provide a pause, to show that something has been left out

• modality: gives information about the degree of certainty involved in an action, e.g.:

|Low modality |Medium modality |High modality |

|possibly |probably |definitely |

|could |should |must |

|never |sometimes |always |

• juxtaposition: the close positioning of words or images to create an effect

• imagery: to create a set of strong mental images in the responder’s mind

• repetition: a word or phrase used many times to add emphasis

• rhetorical question: a question that is asked but which does not expect or need an answer.

Activity: Language techniques

Find examples of these language techniques in The Simple Gift. Give page numbers. Explain the effect of this technique on the responder.

|Language technique |Example from the text (quote) |Page |Effect of this technique |

|Simile |  |  |  |

|Metaphor |  |  |  |

|Colloquial language |  |  |  |

|Direct speech |  |  |  |

|Slang |  |  |  |

|Literary allusion |  |  |  |

|First person |  |  |  |

|Comparatives/ superlatives |  |  |  |

|Ellipsis |  |  |  |

|Modality |  |  |  |

|Juxtaposition |  |  |  |

|Imagery |  |  |  |

|Repetition |  |  |  |

|Rhetorical question |  |  |  |

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