Edible English – Mostly language techniques

Mostly Language What? When? How it creates meaning

Techniques
A story that includes a secondary Fables The Hare and the Tortoise Makes difficult subjects easier to comprehend.
ALLEGORY interpretation that may be philosophical, Fairy stories Three Little Pigs Enables writer to entertain whilst teaching moral
historical or moral. Novels Animal Farm lessons or acceptable behaviour.
Usually used to teach (didactic.)
Repetition of a consonant Tongue twisters She sells sea shells Appeals to the reader’s senses.
ALLITERATION Headlines Bali Bomb Blast Attention getting, catchy and memorable.
Football teams Penrith Panthers Enlivens writing through description brutal beast
Reference to another story or text. She is his Achilles’ heel means he is her Gives greater depth to a text.
weak spot Brings images to the reader’s mind making it
ALLUSION more powerful.
Writing is more interesting and demanding for
the reader.
Refers to the mood, character, quality and Candles flickering in the warm glow of Connects the reader to the text, characters and
AMBIENCE atmosphere of a place or milieu the moonlight = romantic ambience action. Allows reader to get amidst the drama.
(environment) Positive connotation
When there is more than one possible People Help Assault Victim Can show character is uneducated or naive.
AMBIGUITY meaning. Creates humour.
Stimulates thought.
Pitted against the protagonist. Batman: The Dark Knight – The Joker Creates conflict.
ANTAGONIST Provides challenges for the protagonist. is the antagonist Provides challenges for the protagonist to
Anti-hero overcome.
Animals or gods/goddesses are given human The cat is sly. Creates more vivid imagery in writing.
ANTHROPOMORPHISM characteristics. Happy Feet, Shrek, Finding Nemo. May be used to create an allegory.
Animal Farm
A flawed character who often redeems Rocky Rhodes in Chicken Run. To increase interest and three dimensional
ANTI-HERO themself by doing something good. It is Buddy in We All Fall Down. characters.
unexpected and usually determines the Earl in My Name is Earl. To reflect the complexity of human beings more
outcome of the story. Shakespeare’s characters are flawed. accurately.
Opposite or contrast My soul soars; my body is grounded. Demonstrates differences between things.
ANTITHESIS Presents the opposite view to an established
argument.
 Transformation – ‘lifting material’ from a Cinderella has been appropriated into Appropriation occurs as these stories often hold
APPROPRIATION source and altering it. Pretty Woman, Ever After. truths about human beings which cross all social,
The Taming of the Shrew and Ten historical and cultural boundaries.
Things I Hate About You. Parodies rely upon appropriation.
Formulaic character. Darth Vader in Star Wars Lord Farquhar is the stereotypical hero, Shrek is
ARCHETYPE Shrek the reluctant archetypal hero – saves the
princess
Mood, tone or feeling created by setting. A deserted, dimly lit street Uses reader’s past experiences to create feeling.
ATMOSPHERE Heightens the reader’s engagement.

Prejudice. Used in advertising, letter to the To manipulate people into one way of thinking.
BIAS One sided view point. editor.

A narrative tracing the development of the To Kill A Mockingbird Representative of society, and how one grows
BILDUNGSROMAN main character from childhood to maturity. from experience.
Didactic.
A humorous text with a cynical point of view. The Simpsons. Entertaining the reader whilst conveying their
BLACK COMEDY Reveals disillusionment with society. Leunig and Warren’s cartoons attitude to society.

Harsh sounds and noise What Women Want – Mel Gibson’s Causes discomfort for the reader and character.
CACOPHONY character hears the thoughts of all Highlights confusion.
women at once.
Wilfred Owen
The way in which a character is created. Creates empathy.
CHARACTERISATION Qualities, appearance, personality, strengths, Reader connects with character.
weaknesses, speech and thoughts. Reflects reality.
Highest point of interest in a story. Engages audience and connects them to
CLIMAX character.
Creates suspense.
Everyday speech. How’s it goin’? Creates normal conversation.
COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE Informal language.

An idea that invokes issues. Ideas and feelings explored in a text.

CONCEPT

Feelings, emotions or subtleties suggested by Creates images.

CONNOTATION a word or phrase. Bias perspective.
 The historical, social, cultural facts that The precise meaning of a word may What is the context? What is the affect of the
CONTEXT surround a particular situation, event or text. alter due to the context. context? What is the composer trying to say?
How does it affect the responder?
Wrapping up of a story after the climax. Fairytales They lived happily ever after Completion.
DENOUEMENT Loose ends tied.
Satisfying?
Designed to teach the responder something; Fables Challenges, questions or reiterates responder’s
DIDACTIC moral, religious or philosophical lesson. perspective.
Encourages responder to learn from text.
Three dots placed together signifying words If you don’t I will... Shows anger or frustration.
ELLIPSIS have been left out. Character is leaving out words. Why?
What is the composer trying to achieve?
Ability to feel the emotions of another. Engages and connects responder to the text.
EMPATHY Connecting with other human beings. Encourages an emotional response.
Putting yourself in another’s shoes. Communicating emotions.
An expression used to avoid directly saying Down-sizing – being fired Confronting phrases become more acceptable.
EUPHEMISM something unpleasant.

Provides the responder with a hint of what is Builds suspense.

FORESHADOWING to come. Gradual awareness of horror about to take place.

Structure of the text. Different texts for purpose and audience.

FORM

Protagonist – usually possess positive qualities Aragorn in Lord of the Rings Role models.
HERO/HEROINE Didactic.
Good wins over evil
Exaggeration. Your bedroom looks like a cyclone has Highlight a point.
HYPERBOLE gone through. Humour.
Highlights sense of tragedy.
Image created in the responder’s imagination. Connects and engages responder.
IMAGERY Persuade, entertain, inform or stimulate.

Literal meaning differs from intended Cute dog! Said to the man who has an Provides humour.
IRONY meaning. ugly, growling pit-bull. Highlights a contradiction.
Satire, sarcasm
Refers to information the audience has that Connects audience to text.
DRAMATIC IRONY other characters do not. Provides humour.
 The placement of two images (often similar Drive Me Crazy – Juxtaposes Highlights differences between situations,
JUXTAPOSITION with some differences) when placed together behaviour of drunken teenagers and people, objects with some similarities.
the difference becomes obvious. monkeys.
Using a word that sounds similar, but is the Lockie Leonard confuses ‘violets’ with Used to create humour.
MALAPROPISM incorrect word in the context of the sentence. ‘violence’ May be used to sho lack of intelligence,
Words are misused. ignorance or naivety in a character.
A powerful comparison stating that something The boy is a dog – stronger than the To create more vivid images. To engage the
METAPHOR IS another. boy behaves like a dog responder. Writing becomes more interesting.

An oral piece presented by one person. Hamlet – ‘To be or not to be’ Provides an insight into the character.
MONOLOGUE

The feeling or atmosphere created by the Mood is created through word choice Communicate feelings. Creates empathy and
MOOD setting or text. – white water rafting could both be engages the responder.
exhilarating or horrifying.
A recurring theme, object or image mentioned The Red Tree – leaf on every page Provides another level of meaning.
MOTIF throughout the text. symbolises hope. Reinforces meaning

NARRATOR The person or ‘voice’ who tells the story.

The ‘voice’ is not always the composer.

FIRST PERSON Uses pronouns “I” “my” – often used in Looking for Alibrandi Creates intimacy between reader and character,
autobiographies. but you are only getting one perspective.

THIRD PERSON Narrator sees and hears everything. Responder is provided with all the information
Omniscient. regarding characters and events, but there is a
sense of distance between responder and
characters.
The sound of the word is the same as the Tick tock, hiccup, buzz. Meaning and imagery are enhanced.
ONOMATOPOEIA meaning. Places the responder within the action of the
Wilfred Owen’s poetry text.
Contradiction between two words in close Romeo and Juliet “Parting is such Engages the reader and provides a much more
OXYMORON connection. sweet sorrow” concise description of characters, situation and
setting.
A seemingly contradictory statement that You have to be cruel to be kind. Reflects the contradictions and complexity of
PARADOX contains a truth or opinion. Catch 22 – a soldier wanting to go humanity.
home had to be declared insane, for Responder needs to consider the paradox and
him to be insane he had to pretend to what it means.
love the war – paradox.
 An imitation or mimicking of a text, using Frontline is a parody of current affairs By exaggerating a flaw in a humorous manner.
PARODY exaggeration and humour. programs. Parodies appeal to the senses. Allows the
composer to comment or criticise society.
Stimulates or evokes sympathy or pity in a Seeing a victim in tears, music, using Whenever our emotions are engaged the
PATHOS responder. first person. composer has made a connection with the
responder. The composer can now achieve their
purpose – perhaps to teach something.
The ‘voice’ the composer adopts when Adopting a persona as an individual Sometimes authors will adopt a persona that
PERSONA creating a text. personality. contrasts their own beliefs to highlight a
particular idea.
When inanimate (non-living) objects or ideas The trees whispered in the wind. Creates vivid images.
PERSONIFICATION are given human qualities. Encourages the responder to make connections
between ideas and images.
A point of view. To Kill A Mockingbird – Scout learnt to 1. A person’s perspective may change –
PERSPECTIVE place herself in the shoes of others. why?
2. What prejudices do you bring as a
reader?
3. Appreciate and question other’s
perspectives.
Texts which attempt to convince their Using humour, emotive language or To alter the opinion of another.
PERSUASIVE WRITING audience to agree with a particular idea or bias. Using statistics.
attitude.
Advertisements and editorials
The reason the text was created. To teach, instruct, explain, reflect, All texts are created for some purpose. It is your
PURPOSE record, increase awareness, entertain, job to find out the purpose of the composer and
persuade, illustrate, praise. the effect on the responder.
How a responder is encouraged to adopt a Composer’s position a reader through To alter perspectives or to encourage another
READER POSITIONING particular set of beliefs, attitudes or ideas. pathos, language, silence, assumption, way of thinking.
realism.
The language used as a result of the purpose, Formal language for a job application, Different circumstances require a different
REGISTER audience and format of the text. informal language to a friend. approach.

Repeating words, phrases or ideas. Poetry – phrases. To highlight the purpose of the text.
REPETITION Picture books – motifs

A question asked for which there is no answer Do I have to wait all day for you to sit Encourages people to think about an issue being
RHETORICAL QUESTION required. down? addressed. Increases drama and interest.
Connect with audience.
 RHYME The repetition of sound at the end of words. I had written him a letter which I had, Provides a sense of completion. Rhythm of poem
for want of better... is increased.
HALF RHYME Consonants are the same, vowels are different Grain and groan, hill and hull Half-rhyme provides a sense of confusion.
Combination of stressed and unstressed Iambic pentameter Rhythm is the pulse and energy in a text – the
RHYTHM syllables to form a pattern or create an effect. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s heartbeat/pulse.
day? Reinforces mood or atmosphere.
Bitter speech. “I don’t know” said John. To highlight the stupidity of a character.
SARCASM Amusing to some. “Why am I not surprised?” She
A put-down. remarked.
A text that ridicules human beings with the The Simpsons mocks many aspects of Humour allows the responder to evaluate and
SATIRE intention of bringing about change. society such as over consumption, bad examine these ideas and perhaps alter our
parenting and inappropriate perspective.
behaviours.
Where and when the action takes place. Pleasantville Setting enables the characters to behave and
SETTING Where – within a small suburb operate in a manner that will highlight the ideas
When – 1950’s a composer wants us to explore or understand.
A person or object is LIKE another – a The boy ate like a horse. Similes enhance the image.
SIMILE comparison. Describes similarities between unlike things and
demands the responder makes a connection.
A standardised idea or belief about groups of Dumb blonde, suburban housewife, Why has the composer used a stereotype?
STEREOTYPES people. surfie chick, footballer, footballer’s What is the purpose?
wife.
The way a composer uses language to achieve Informal/formal language, format, What is the composer’s purpose?
STYLE effect. narrator, choice of words, How does style add to the purpose?
sentence/paragraph structure, Is the style significant to the purpose?
figurative language.
A lesser or minor story which runs parallel to We All Fall Down – main plot of the Provides complications, more information about
SUB –PLOT the main story. trashers and Jerome’s life and the sub- characters, increases purpose.
plot of Buddy’s family.
The meaning that rests under the actual What is omitted is as important as What is the hidden agenda or meaning?
SUB-TEXT words on the page. what is included. What is its purpose?
A person may say they are ‘fine’ but
what is the sub-text?
Something that stands for something else. Red - danger, love, passion. Creates meaning that does not need to be
SYMBOL Roses – love, forgiveness. expressed. Symbols and their meanings are
Cross – religion or medical service. richer today due to numerous meanings.
Saying the same thing twice, but in different The stadium was crowded and full of Says something about characters – they like to
TAUTOLOGY words. people. dominate the conversation, unintelligent, waffle
 The composer has created a text that is A happy ending is expected in a The text’s purpose becomes ambiguous if it lacks
TEXTUAL INTEGRITY consistent with itself to produce meaning, the fairytale – if it does not then it lacks textual integrity.
elements of the text flow together to produce integrity. However if the story has a A text needs to be complete and meaningful. The
meaning. number of unexpected features the composer must use form and language well in
composer’s purpose is different. order to achieve this.
Ideas and concepts within a text. Most themes relate the human Create a universal message, to teach the
THEME condition. responder something.
To convey their purpose.
Attitude of composer. Informal/formal language, What is the writer’s purpose?
TONE negative/positive connotations, How does the writer wish to affect the
humour. responder?
Vectors are the lines in images that draw the Vectors connect objects or people within a
VECTORS eye to a particular object or person. picture.
(visual literacy) What is the significance of the vector?
 Edible English – Film techniques

FILM Techniques What? When? How it creates meaning

Film taken from a crane or plane. To show setting or action.
AERIAL SHOT

A film without colour Pleasantville Highlights something serious.

BLACK AND WHITE FILM Shows the past.
Juxtaposes ideas
OVER SHOT Camera is directly above the person or object Makes object appear small and insignificant.
OVERHEAD SHOT Makes streets look artificial.

Above, but not directly overhead, the object Makes subject appear insignificant or powerless.
HIGH ANGLE SHOT or person being filmed.

Camera is level with object Suggests real life and equality between
EYE LEVEL SHOT characters and or audience.

Camera is below object looking up. Makes object appear large, powerful and
LOW ANGLE SHOT dominant.

Clarity or sharpness of film. Depth of field; Character perspective.

CAMERA FOCUS deep focus = everything in focus Shows a connection between two things such as
narrow focus = portion of scene in person glancing at a watch.
focus
Camera moves from side to side or up and To establish setting.
PANNING down.

Camera moves with the action. Makes audience feel involved.

TRACKING SHOT Creates reality.

Camera mounted on trolley and zooms in or Distancing from object – physically and
DOLLY SHOT out. emotionally.

Movement that gives viewer a sense of Reflect character, setting or action.

TILT imbalance.
 Camera takes the view of a character. Perspective.
POINT OF VIEW SHOT Empathy.

Continuous movement from a long shot to a Draw attention to something or distance the
ZOOM close up. viewer.

Background and landscape, human figures Shows humans in their environment.

LONG SHOT recognisable.

Includes a whole figure. Show whole figure.

FULL SHOT

Shows half a figure. More detail of figure.

MEDIUM SHOT

Little background and focus on one object – a More detail.

CLOSE UP face. Intimacy.
Empathy – character’s thoughts.
Focus on extremely small part of the figure. Focus.
EXTREME CLOSE UP Detail.

Realistic filming. Documentaries or hand held cameras Provides viewer with a sense of realism and
CINEMA VERITE used to convey realism. empathy.

Sound that is natural to the action of the Dialogue, noise created by a Creates realism and setting.
DIEGETIC SOUND scene. character, sounds of setting.

Sound that is not natural to the action. Voice over or soundtrack. Creates atmosphere for the audience only.
NON DIEGETIC SOUND Enhances the action.

Methods used to join scenes together. Cut: joining scenes How are scenes joined? What is the affect?
EDITING Fade: suggests a passage of time Why are scenes ordered in this way?
Dissolve: passage of time, change of
location, flashbacks and thoughts.
Wipe: humorous, light-hearted
The order of scenes.
Story flashes back to the past. Create a back story. Stimulates curiosity.
FLASHBACK Provides more information about Creates empathy.
character or setting.
 Main light on set Used to highlight one person on stage To highlight action or to act as a metaphor
KEY LIGHTING or set

Softens the harsh key lighting removing

FILL LIGHTING shadows

Key lighting where the light is behind the To create a sense of danger or mystery
BACK LIGHTING subject, who then appears in a silhouette

Used for night scenes or to create darkness Creates atmosphere

LOW KEY LIGHTING

Lighting that is a specific colour Edward Scissorhands the little girl’s Enhances mood and atmosphere
COLOURED LIGHTING room is yellow and cosy and the
outside is harsh and bright
Literally ‘put in a scene.’ Can be characteristic of a director’s style or the
MIS-EN-SCENE Includes everything in a scene. meaning they wish to communicate.

A combination of sequences placed next to Music videos often use montages. Efficient way to show the passing of time.
MONTAGE each other. Often shows change or used to create empathy
for characters.
Camera is behind one person in dialogue Often used during confrontation. Enables the responder to see the expression on
OVER THE SHOULDER scenes. We see the shoulder of one and the the face of one character. Shows the
SHOT face of another. perspectives of characters.

The voice of the narrator over the action of To Kill a Mockingbird They provide the prologue or wrap up the story.
VOICE OVER the film. To provide inside information that is not
Usually seen not heard. apparent by just viewing the film.
Background information.
Going from a long shot to a close up in a To focus on an object or character.
ZOOM continuous movement.
 Edible English – Dramatic techniques

Dramatic What? When? How it creates meaning

Techniques
Refers to the mood, character and Positive connotations, although can be Reader connects with the text and feels involved.
AMBIENCE atmosphere. used to describe any atmosphere. Can create empathy or suspense.

When there is more than one possible People Help Assault Victim Can show character is uneducated or naive.
AMBIGUITY meaning. Creates humour.
Stimulates thought.
To break a subject down or topic and Discussing the different features of Allows students to discuss the techniques and
ANALYSE investigate the text for meaning. texts such as language, form and composer and how meaning is created.
structure.
A prototype or formulaic character. Usually in fairytales - handsome Shrek is the archetypical hero (unlike the
ARCHETYPE prince, wicked witch. stereotype)

A remark made by a character towards the Often revealing of the character that Creates dramatic irony and provides the
ASIDE audience – other characters cannot hear. speaks. audience with revealing information about the
character.
The responder to a drama. The audience has certain You need to consider the reaction of the
AUDIENCE expectations. audience within the context of the text.

Non-verbal communication includes posture, Characters Informs the audience about the character.
BODY LANGUAGE facial, clothing and accessories.
The way in which a character is created and A character is developed throughout To create empathy and allow the audience to
CHARACTERISATION developed during a text. the play, with what they say and what connect with the characters.
is said about them.
The historical, social, cultural facts that The precise meaning of a word may What is the context? What is the affect of the
CONTEXT surround a particular situation, event or text. alter due to the context. context? What is the composer trying to say?
How does it affect the responder?
A conversation between characters. On stage. Dialogue is the basis of communication. It’s
DIALOGUE important to take note of what characters say
and what is said about them.
The audience knows more about events and Through asides, soliloquies or To create greater involvement for the audience
DRAMATIC IRONY characters than other characters. dialogue. and empathy.
 A short speech by a character in a play The character delivers a speech to the Allows the audience to get into the thoughts and
MONOLOGUE directed at the audience. audience. feelings of a character. May create empathy or
dramatic irony.
The story line. What is the purpose of the plot? To To keep the audience involved.
PLOT entertain, teach, inform?

A unit of action within a play. What has been included in the scene Assists in our analysis of characters and events.
SCENE and why.

Where and when the action takes place. Pleasantville Setting enables the characters to behave and
SETTING Where – within a small suburb operate in a manner that will highlight the ideas
When – 1950’s a composer wants us to explore or understand.
A short speech by a character in a play, where The character stands downstage so Allows the audience to get into the thoughts and
SOLILOQUY he/she relates thoughts and ideas. the audience can hear them, but it is feelings of a character. May create empathy or
not intended for the audience to hear. dramatic irony.
A soliloquy is a character talking to
himself and the audience hears it.
Includes all the information in a play – setting, Provide additional information about Provides greater information.
STAGE DIRECTIONS actions, how lines are said. characters and plot.

Something that stands for something else. Red - danger, love, passion. Creates meaning that does not need to be
SYMBOL Roses – love, forgiveness. expressed. Symbols and their meanings are
Cross – religion or medical service. richer today due to numerous meanings.
A type of drama. Stories that do not have a King Lear, Othello and Macbeth. Audience learns from the character’s
TRAGEDY happy ending. experiences. Audience may feel empathy,
suspense and high emotion. Exploration of the
human condition. How people react to adversity,
bring on adversity to themselves and how they
overcome adversity.