Structural Devices And Their Effects Flashcards
What is focus on character and its effect?
Describe a character, it helps the reader develop a relationship with the character
What is the effect of introducing characters first or last?
It may change how we feel about the characters
What is focus on setting and its effect?
Describing the surroundings of the action, it creates a mood or atmosphere and provides background context for character or action
What is narrowing the focus and its effect?
Starting with a wider view and then focusing on details, helps understand the context of the story and characters
What is change in perspective and its effect?
Changing whose point of view the story is told from, or where the focus is. It enables the reader to understand more than the characters do.
What is sequence of events and its effect?
The order that things happen in. Adapting the order can provide the reader with more or less information than the characters and thus create interest.
What is opening mid-action and its effect?
Starting the narrative in the middle of something dramatic. This can lead to the reader feeling excited and not knowing all the information they need about what is going on.
What is narrative hook and its effect?
Withholding information from the reader that they want to know. They are then curious/uncertain about what is happening.
What is foreshadowing and its effect?
Providing a clue about something that might happen later. Eg. If a story started with a storm you could say ‘this may foreshadow that the story is going to be about conflict’. It sets up expectations for the reader.
What is flashback/flash forward?
Going back to something that has happened before or forward to something that happens later. It provides more background information about an event or character and can add to the atmosphere.
What is repetition/reoccurring image and its effect?
Repeating a phrase or returning to a particular image. This makes that idea more of a focus for the reader, or brings something to their attention.
What is contrast and its effect?
Putting two things that are very different near each other. It emphasises the difference.
What is pause and its effect?
Often created through a single sentence paragraph or an ellipsis. It allows the reader to focus on that event, perhaps for a moment of tension.
What is dialogue and its effect?
Speech directly from a character. Brings the scene to life and helps you learn about the characters.
What is cyclical narrative and its effect?
When the writer returns to something at the end of the extract that was mentioned at the start. This draws attention to things and highlights changes/constants throughout the extract.
