Writer’s Effect

A writer selects words & shapes them in the same way that an artist may mix particular
colours of paint & applies them to a canvas using brush strokes. The same way a baker mixes
different ingredients to come up with the perfect dough to bake is similar to what a writer
does.

The Effect words have

Words Reinforce, Modify, Contrast, Contradict. The do this to Characters/Relationships,

Settings, Themes, Atmosphere/tone.

The Exam Task

To select words/phrases from 2 named paragraphs in a ‘literary’ extract & explain the
meaning & effect of those language choices & why therefore the writer might have chosen to
use them.

Skills needed

To recognise, understand & explain the meaning of a range of vocabulary. To demonstrate an

awareness that words have layers of meaning rather than just a literal meaning. To be able to
articulate an understanding of how the language choices can purposely impact the
interpretation of a text.

The Onion Model is used to where number 1 is the literal meaning (how rich is ur
vocabulary), 2 is the Shades of meaning (All synonyms are created equal eg hot, boiling,
searing, scorching, sizzling, sweltering, peppery, scalding-then there is ranking words in
order eg small, tiny, little, dimunitive, miniscule, pint-sized, miniature, petite- Next is
explaining the subtle differences btwn words eg Shack, hut, barn, house, mansion, hovel).
Words carry subtle differences of meaning & a writer’s choice of words is likely to reflect an
awareness of these nuances (fine details)

Number 3 is the Contextual Associations where words don’t operate in isolation as they
interact with other words around them eg the word Weed (in one context it can refer to
unwanted plants that grow in a field but in another context it can refer to a person unwanted
at a place or cannabis cativa. Figurative language is based upon the associations we are
invited to make between the items being compared. Analogical thinking is always associative
eg the phrase Life is like a …. Any choice of simile shifts the underlying meaning which is
implied.

Number 4 is Sensory Associations and this implies that some words make a direct appeal to
the senses such as: Bright, iridescent, drab, melodious, clang, titter, acrid, pungent, fragrant,
bitter, bland, savoury, dry, smooth, jagged. Others don’t have a primary meaning which is
rooted in the senses but nonetheless they can carry associations which may imply sensory
details: eg The bird’s plumage shimmered in the dawn light. The soldier sank , ankle deep
into the thick mud & struggled to free himself.

Number 5 is Emotional Associations- Some words are also selected by writers because they
carry emotional weight eg ‘The small child dragged his satchel behind him, his head hung
down & his shoulders were slumped’. Notice how each of the word choices highlighted here
combine-the emotional tone of the sentence emerges out of the collective effect of the
language choices made.

Putting it all together we see that words carry a literal meaning, they often carry shades of
meaning and are relational, words may be modified by their context, they carry sensory
associations and also carry emotional associations.