Download Writing Techniques: Descriptive Language and more Lecture notes Statistics in PDF only on Docsity! Writing Techniques: Descriptive Language Technique Examples Adjectives – writers try to choose effective adjectives to increase the reader’s understanding of the people, places and things in their text. The sinister and menacing woman stared at the terrified and panic-stricken young boy. Adverbs – writers carefully select effective adverbs to improve their description. He enthusiastically jumped out of his seat and quickly dashed over to her. He passionately held her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. Simile - a descriptive technique that compares one thing with another, usually using 'as' or 'like'. The trees stood as tall as towers. Metaphor - a descriptive technique that names a person, thing or action as something else. The circus was a magnet for the children. Hyperbole - a use of obvious exaggeration for rhetorical effect. The sun scorched through the day. Personification - a metaphor attributing human feelings to an object. The sun smiled at the hills, ready to begin a new day. Pathetic fallacy - a type of personification where emotions are given to a setting, an object or the weather. The clouds crowded together suspiciously overhead as the sky darkened. Onomatopoeia - words that sound a little like they mean. The autumn leaves and twigs cracked and crunched underfoot. Oxymoron - a phrase combining two or more contradictory terms. There was a deafening silence Emotive language - language intended to create an emotional response. A heart-breaking aroma of death filled the air as he surveyed the devastation and destruction that had befallen them all. Writing Techniques: Persuasive Language Technique Examples Flattery - complimenting your audience. A person of your intelligence deserves much better than this. Opinion - a personal viewpoint often presented as if fact. In my view, this is the best thing to have ever happened. Hyperbole - exaggerated language used for effect. It is simply out of this world – stunning! Personal pronouns - ‘I’, ‘you’ and ‘we’. You are the key to this entire idea succeeding - we will be with you all the way. I can’t thank you enough! Imperative command - instructional language. Get on board and join us! Triples - three points to support an argument. Safer streets means comfort, reassurance and peace of mind for you, your family and your friends. Emotive language - vocabulary to make the audience/reader feel a particular emotion. There are thousands of animals at the mercy of our selfishness and disregard for kindness. Statistics and figures - factual data used in a persuasive way. 80% of people agreed that this would change their community for the better. Rhetorical question - a question which implies its own answer. Who doesn’t want success?