Key Methods used in the Plays

Language Techniques writers may use and their effects.

Dramatic Irony

Definition: When the audience knows something that the characters do not. Effect: Creates tension, suspense, or humour, and can highlight the ignorance or naivety of certain characters.

Foreshadowing

Definition: Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story. Effect: Builds anticipation and prepares the reader for future events, creating a more cohesive narrative.

Symbolism

Definition: Using symbols to represent ideas or concepts. Effect: Adds depth and layers of meaning to the narrative, allowing for multiple interpretations.

Motif

Definition: A recurring element, such as an image, theme, or symbol, in a text. Effect: Reinforces central themes and ideas, helping to unify the narrative and deepen the reader's understanding.

Colloquial Language

Definition: Informal language or slang used by characters. Effect: Makes dialogue more realistic and relatable, and can reveal aspects of a character's background or personality.

Imagery

Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Effect: Creates vivid scenes and helps to immerse the reader in the setting, atmosphere, or emotional tone of the text.

Hyperbole

Definition: Exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Effect: Highlights the intensity of emotions or situations, often adding a dramatic or comedic element.

Allegory

Definition: A narrative in which characters and events represent broader moral or political concepts. Effect: Allows the writer to convey complex ideas and themes in a more digestible and symbolic way.

Juxtaposition

Definition: Placing two contrasting ideas, characters, or settings close together. Effect: Highlights differences and can emphasise the complexity of themes or the conflicts within the narrative.

Dialogue

Definition: Conversation between characters. Effect: Reveals character traits, advances the plot, and can convey themes or conflicts through interaction.

Monologue

Definition: A long speech by one character. Effect: Provides insight into a character's thoughts and emotions, often revealing key themes or driving the plot forward.

Repetition

Definition: Repeating words or phrases for emphasis. Effect: Highlights important ideas and can create a rhythm or sense of urgency in the text.

Pathetic Fallacy

Definition: The attribution of human emotions to the weather or the environment. Effect: Enhances the mood and can reflect the emotional states of characters or the tone of a scene.

Structural Features writers may use and their effects

Flashback

Definition: A scene set in a time earlier than the main story. Effect: Provides background information, reveals character history, or explains motivations, enriching the narrative.

Cyclical Structure

Definition: A narrative that begins and ends in a similar way. Effect: Creates a sense of inevitability or closure, and can emphasise recurring themes or ideas.

Contrast

Definition: The use of opposites to highlight differences. Effect: Emphasises conflict, differences in character viewpoints, or the duality of themes.

Stage Directions (for plays)

Definition: Instructions in the script of a play that tell actors how to move or deliver lines. Effect: Provides insight into character intentions, relationships, and the atmosphere of the scene, guiding the audience's understanding.

Foil

Definition: A character who contrasts with another character, usually the protagonist. Effect: Highlights the traits and themes associated with the main character, often enhancing the reader's understanding of key aspects of the narrative.

Subtext

Definition: The underlying or implicit meaning in dialogue or a situation. Effect: Adds depth and complexity to interactions, allowing the audience to infer themes or character motivations that are not directly stated.

Tension and Suspense

Definition: The creation of a sense of anxiety or anticipation about what will happen next. Effect: Engages the reader, driving the narrative forward and making the resolution more impactful.

Form Variations writers may use and their effects

Play Structure (for An Inspector Calls and Blood Brothers)

Definition: The organisation of a drama into acts and scenes. Effect: Controls the pacing and flow of the narrative, allowing for the development of tension and character arcs.

Satire (for Animal Farm)

Definition: The use of humour, irony, or exaggeration to criticise or expose flaws in society, politics, or individuals. Effect: Engages the reader while delivering a critical message, often prompting reflection on societal issues.

Dystopian Elements (for Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm)

Definition: Features that depict a society characterised by suffering, oppression, or extreme control. Effect: Highlights the dangers of totalitarianism, loss of individuality, or societal breakdown, often serving as a cautionary tale.

Bildungsroman (for Anita and Me)

Definition: A coming-of-age story that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist. Effect: Explores themes of identity, growth, and the challenges of adolescence, allowing readers to connect with the protagonist's journey.