Structural techniques
S P O T A T Sentences Punctuation Ordering Talking (who?) Attitude (tone) Tension
Sentences
Fragments Effect: Used to create a dramatic effect such as tension. It also might suggest fear and fast-paced action or thoughts. e.g. But he couldn t stop himself. He had to know. Where were the dogs? Long Complex Sentences Effect: Can be used to add lots of descriptive detail; or for a character it can be like a stream of consciousness in which they reveal all their thoughts. e.g. He watched the two men with umbrellas cross the bridge and disappear in the direction of the city centre, picking their way through the large puddles that had now formed in the street.
Long Sentences followed by a short sentence Effect: shocks the reader by leaving the main event to the end. e.g. A bedside table lay on its side, with a lamp, an alarm clock and a pile of paperbacks thrown on to the floor. The wardrobe doors were open and all the clothes were in a heap in one corner. A tin of green paint had toppled over, spilling its contents into the middle of the mess. Then Matt saw Tom Burgess.
Short Paragraphs Used for impact and to draw the reader s attention to something important in the story. e.g. The jug smashed.
Punctuation e.g. Ellipsis, Question Marks Effect: All punctuation is used for effect e.g. an author s use of ellipsis can be used to create a cliff hanger and suspense or to show a character s uncertainty. Effect: Lots of questions show a character s confusion or signify a dialogue between the character and the reader or the character and some other character.
Ordering the ordering of the events and particular techniques being used such as flash back or flash forward, to draw the reader s attention to a particular point in time. withholding information until a later point to shock or interest the reader Repetition of a word or phrase from the beginning of a passage, later on in the text.
attitude Tone refers to the towards the subject which the writer conveys. e.g. Is the story humorous or is the character being humorous to make a point or to be sarcastic? Or the character is miserable to emphasise how awful their surroundings are.
Point of view - who is talking? e.g. Sometimes an inanimate object tells the story. Effect: This is unexpected and can provide the writer with a way to give the reader details about the plot that they would not otherwise have been able to write.
D I S T A S T E D Distance Isolation Separation Time A test Setting Thoughts Expectation Disaster Building TENSION
1. Distance: Space between the main character and his/her goal. A need to reach a faraway destination creates suspense.
2. Isolation: A situation is created where there is danger around the main character, but then he/she is also isolated. This makes the reader wonder what the character will do on his/her own.
3. Separation: The main character is physically separated from the problem or sent away. This makes the reader wonder what the villain is doing while the main character is away. What is the enemy doing? Seeing what the enemy is up to can create tension.
4. Time: Pressure looms by using a ticking clock device. The time is mentioned repeatedly.e.g. there were only seconds left There is a destination in the future that is looming. The character s worried thoughts can also help emphasize the time.
5. A Test: The character has some sort of test or needs to complete something.
6. Setting: A dangerous environment creates immediate tension.
7. Thoughts: Characters worry. They show us the tension through their thoughts and how they act.
8. Expectation: Tension is built through what others expect of the main character or the character has very high self expectations.
9. Disaster: Disasters can be either small or large. There s a tornado, or a character falls as they are running away.