Writing about Author’s Craft - Sentence Helpers
The sentence helper shows that you understand the​ link​ between the techniques and the writer’s ideas. You need to show that you understand the role of the writer.
You will also need to develop ideas and include specific examples.
REMEMBER:​ The author has DELIBERATELY chosen these techniques because he/she feels they are the most effective way of teaching us about an
idea/concept/message/theme which goes beyond the text. This could also apply to characters and setting. The plot/storyline is only to draw us into this other world.
WRITER
VERB
TECHNIQUE
The author
uses
the metaphor
The writer
chooses
the simile
The persona
selects
personification
The poet
manipulates
Allusion (biblical)
The narrator
takes the
alliteration
The speaker
employs
prose
The character
shapes
verse
Shakespeare
utilises
rhetorical
questions
constructs
imagery
develops
rhyme
extends the
short, emphatic
sentences
sensual Imagery
colour Imagery
symbols
the direct
address
Quotation
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PURPOSE
to guide the perceptive
reader to consider
to reinforce
to emphasize
to illustrate
to create a connotation of
to create a mood of
to symbolise
to develop
to explore
to link to
to deepen our
understanding of
to comment upon
to contrast
to suggest
to make us question
EXPLAIN HOW
ANSWER THE QUESTION
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​More on back...
Adapted from work by P Ireland-Kenny, Kavanagh College, Dunedin
motifs (identify)
foreshadowing
Quote Precisely
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narrative
comment
dialogue
Quote Precisely
antithesis
Quote Precisely
Ist Person voice
Quote Precisely
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to challenge our
assumptions about
to criticise
To lead us to feel
To represent
To show us
To highlight
ANSWER THE QUESTION
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SAMPLE:
In the story, “The Monkey’s Paw” by William W. Jacobs, the author uses imagery to create an ominous feeling in the story.​ When
the author is describing the setting when the soldier is coming to the family’s house, he uses auditory descriptions such as, ​“Listen to
the wind” and “hearing the gate shut loudly and heavy footsteps coming to the door” (1)​. In these examples, the author uses imagery to
make the reader feel like something bad is going to happen because the sounds of a storm and heavy footsteps seem to announce the
arrival of something dark and ominous. These descriptions create a feeling of suspense about the soldier, because the author wants
the reader to know that the soldier is bringing misfortune to the family. These images also create a dark mood in general, which is the
desired effect of the imagery in this story.
Adapted from work by P Ireland-Kenny, Kavanagh College, Dunedin