Even though most works of writing seem to share many characteristics, one quality makes each piece of literature vary from others; who wrote it. Because each author has a specific style of writing, stories are enhanced to a whole new level, as each author makes deliberate choices on how to tell the story. The style of writing the author has could either make or break their piece, as their style has to help set the tone of the writing. In Susan Casey’s book, The Devil’s Teeth, the author uses figurative language and factual examples in her descriptive style to paint a clear picture of events taking place for whoever is reading her book.
When writing her book, Casey chose to utilize figurative language, specifically similes and metaphors, which
helped set the scene. For example, towards the beginning of the book, Casey describes the setting using a simile. Casey states, “The islands jut from the Pacific like the fangs of a sea monster badly in need of dental work” (57). The excerpt clearly creates an image which the reader can picture easily, as well as set the tone of the book. By choosing to compare the setting to a sea monster, the reader can infer the setting is dark and mysterious. Additionally, Casey’s use of metaphors also aides in setting the tone of the book. When describing an ancient shark, Casey writes, “ [The shark has] lips the size of Chevrolet bumpers” (59). The metaphor she chooses to use gives the reader an idea of the massiveness of the shark. Casey’s choice to compare the ancient shark to a common object helps the reader to relate to better image what the creature looks like. Evidently, by the frequent use of similes and metaphors in her writing, a major part of Casey’s writing style is figurative language. Additionally, Casey uses factual language in her writing to inform the reader with information about the sharks, which helps to give the reader a better idea of what the story is about. For example, since sharks are a major element in the book, Casey includes facts about them in her writing. Casey states, “ The largest great white to have been caught and measured was 21 feet long, but there have been credible reports of much larger specimen” (57). From the fact, readers can now picture the monstrosity of the creatures. Because Casey included the fact in her writing, the overall clarity of the writing was increased. Casey also includes, “ The ancestors of these raggedy-toothed fish had been patrolling since the seas since the Devonian period, 400 million years ago” (59). The fact adds perspective to the writing and informs the reader with basic information about the main topic. Because of all the information in her writing, one can conclude Casey’s descriptive style not only utilizes figurative language, but is factual. If not for these additions to her writing, the tone of the whole piece would be completely different.
The author of Red Umbrella and the author of A Band-Aid For 800 Children both use figurative language, such as in Red Umbrella the use a hyperbole ‘’My head spun. Leave Cuba? Tomorrow?’’ this shows that Lucy is confused or overwhelmed about having to leave her parents. As well in A Band-Aid For 800 Children the author used a metaphor ‘’Every child is also a job” to show that Sandigo has a task that that she
In the story there were a lot of figurative language. For example in the beginning
In this short, but charming story, Amy Tan uses imagery to bring the story to life. With figurative language, the reader is immersed into the Chinese culture and can better relate to the characters. Tan main use of imagery is to better explain each character. Often instead of a simple explanation, Tan uses metaphors, similes, or hyperboles to describe the person, this way they are more relatable and their feelings better understood.
The author uses many similes and metaphors throughout the book to enrich the description. Examples include:
Chicago, one of the most popular cities in America. Visits from families all around the country, what makes this place so great? Is it the skyscrapers that protrude the sky? Or is it the weather people loved? Does Chicago being the second most favored city in America show that this town has some greatness? In the nonfiction novel The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson uses imagery, tone, and figurative language to portray the dreamlike qualities of Chicago and the beauty that lies within this city.
In “Queens, 1963”, the speaker narrates to her audience her observations that she has collected from living in her neighborhood located in Queens, New York in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. The narrator is a thirteen-year-old female immigrant who moved from the Dominican Republic to America with her family. As she reflects on her past year of living in America, she reveals a superb understanding of the reasons why the people in her neighborhood act the way they do towards other neighbors. In “Queens, 1963” by Julia Alvarez, the poet utilizes diction, figurative language, and irony to effectively display to the readers that segregation is a strong part of the American melting pot.
In this poem called “Creatures” by the author Billy Collins there are three examples of figurative language helps convey the meaning that the author Billy Collins is conveying. The three examples of figurative language that the author Billy Collins uses are a metaphor, enjambment, and imagery. These three examples of figurative language help illustrate Billy Collins” theme in this poem called “Creatures” that he is writing because these three examples of figurative language help emphasize the theme of the poem. These three examples help emphasize this poem called “Creatures” meaning because it makes the theme of this poem have a deeper meaning. The theme of the author Billy Collins poem called “Creatures” is that the reader has to imagine
Last but not least, O’Connor confirms that even a short story is a multi-layer compound that on the surface may deter even the most enthusiastic reader, but when handled with more care, it conveys universal truths by means of straightforward or violent situations. She herself wished her message to appeal to the readers who, if careful enough, “(…)will come to see it as something more than an account of a family murdered on the way to Florida.”
These quotes that have been put in the past paragraphs to give the reader an idea of what figurative and descriptive language is and to show that it affects the reader's perspective on what the characters say, think, and do.
In “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by O’Connor Figurative language is used often by the characters, especially the grandmother who manipulates, which in return, leads to the families murder. In the short story the author gives small details of almost every character. When the author describes the mother’s face, she uses a simile writing, whose face is broad and innocent as a cabbage(pg 296). On the family drive, the author uses imagery to describes the beauty of the families surrounding using words like brilliant red and green lace-work that makes the drive seem relaxing.The author’s use of informal diction helps dictate the calmness of the events. I believe these calming words are the way the author is portraying the calm before the storm. What
In contrast, syntax provides a new perspective to the narrator s behavior as sentence structure draws attention to her erratic behavior. By her last entry, the narrator s sentences have become short and simple. Paragraphs 227 through 238 contain few adjectives resulting in limited descriptions yet her short sentences emphasize her actions providing plenty of imagery. The syntax quickly pulls the reader through the end as the narrator reaches an end to her madness.
I can explain Cynthia Rylant's style in the book, In November. The author Cynthia Rylant's write all her story in figurative language Cynthia Rylant style is to write kids book in her book she uses figurative language the most she is personification. The author states that the birds who are leaving look very serous. This is example of personification is also a simile. The story explains that the bird was very serious leaving. The author give the bird human qualities. Her style of writing is
Although not picturesque at first, the grim energy of the urban wind extracts the dreary colors of “the dirt and dust and grime” (Petry) from the city sidewalks and dances around the readers, entrancing their first glimpse of Ann Petry’s 1946 novel, The Street. Throughout the introduction, Petry portrays the wind through personification as a tour guide in the blustery town. She then includes small important details to make the readers accustomed to the town’s characteristics. By following the wind’s guiding hands Petry explores the wind’s relationship with people in the town through figurative language and finally wrestles with imagery as the focus of the story zooms in on Lutie Johnson and her frustration then reluctant approval with the urban setting.
Modern literary fiction in English has been dominated by two forms: the novel and the short story. The two have many elements in common. Perhaps we will be able to define the short story more meaningfully---for it has traits more essential than just a particular length---if first, for comparison, we consider some related varieties of fiction: the fable and the tale. Ancient forms whose origins date back to the time of word-of-mouth storytelling, the fable and the tale are relatively simple in structure; in them we can plainly see elements also found in the short story (and in novel).
Edgar Allan Poe has a unique writing style that uses several different elements of literary structure. He uses intrigue vocabulary, repetition, and imagery to better capture the reader’s attention and place them in the story. Edgar Allan Poe’s style is dark, and his is mysterious style of writing appeals to emotion and drama. What might be Poe’s greatest fictitious stories are gothic tend to have the same recurring theme of either death, lost love, or both. His choice of word draws the reader in to engage them to understand the author’s message more clearly. Authors who have a vague short lexicon tend to not engage the reader as much.