In Text A, I begin by introducing the main character, and provide implications of the characters personality traits to create a sense of depth. For example, the introduction shows the character forcing whiskey down his throat in order to get drunk, ‘This binge was momentous for Richard. He’d need that extra push that being drunk gave him if he was going to go through with it.’ This extract implies to the reader the main character’s personality, and intrigues and sustains them to the reason he is getting drunk. This is a plot device I use to make the reader want to read on to uncover the reason.
The following paragraphs show the character travelling to a setting and his focus is implicated to be murderous, further sustaining the reader to see what happens. At the end of the piece, the reader is exposed to a shocking revelation,’ he saw the gory naked corpse of his former lover leaning seductively against the doorframe of the bathroom, her legs crossed and her hand on her hip.’ The ending is effective as it is a shock to the reader.
The opening paragraph of Text B, I present background information and the previous work of the artist of the album being reviewed, ‘With the hit album ‘Hot Fuss’…’ to ease the reader into the piece and provide entertaining information about the Artist. I then continue to describe each separate track of the album to the reader so that they get a detailed impression of the music. I conclude with my final verdict on the album, ‘All in all, the album conclusively compliments the never-ending talent of this remarkable Las Vegas Rock & Roll foursome.’ My verdict on the album is positive. My aim was to share my feelings towards the album, and so overall I achieve this aim.
I use varying sentence types in Text A. For example, I used many complex sentences to provide a vivid description on a character or setting, ‘He was sat on a cushioned barstool that offered minimal comfort, with his elbows resting lazily on the polished surface of the bar.’ I also used simple sentences to deliver momentous plot details, as this creates focus on the detail by giving it a sentence of its own, ‘He gave it to her’. The variety of sentence types gives my piece a more interesting, diverse and unexpected feel and this will help to entertain the reader. The sentences moods in Text A are all declarative, as their purpose is to narrate the plot and offer description; the narrator does not directly address the reader.
As in Text A, I used various sentence types in Text B (simple, compound etc). In difference, Text B features rhetorical questions, ‘So, was it worth it?’ which produces an interrogative sentence mood. This rhetorical device is used to create a sense of involvement within the reader, and will entertain them by the desire for this question to be answered in continuity. Mostly, Text B features declarative sentences as its purpose is to provide information and verdicts on the album, ‘Brandon Flowers and his trio of hard-working musical musketeers have failed to disappoint once again.’
In text A, is use various lexical techniques to achieve descriptive and objective effect. I use modifiers and adjectives throughout the piece to describe the settings, actions and characters, ‘cushioned barstool’, ‘robust thump’, ‘solemn and disrupted’. The use of these lexis help to create a more vividly detailed picture. For example, ‘robust thump’ gives the reader both the sense of a hard sound being produced, and a more vibrant picture of the main character as he carries out his action. The adjective phrase ‘solemn and disrupted’, offers an idea on the personality of the people it describes, and hence the atmosphere of the scene; the ‘punters’ are grumpy and serious, and so the atmosphere of the place will be dull.
I also use imagery, such as the simile which compares the car the main character drives to ‘an uncontrollable beast’. This simile presents a stronger idea of the sounds and feelings produced by the car as it starts. The use of ‘uncontrollable beast’ shows the reader that the car is loud and powerful, and what the person driving the car is like (fierce, violent – successfully matches his personality) .I used a simile as it allows the reader to compare two different but similar entities, and achieves a better and more captivating image of what is happening. I also used a metaphor, ‘By the silver gaze of the moon peeking through the curtains’, which is much more effective than plainly saying that the moonlight shone through the window, as it creates a better picture.
I used a semantic field of being out of control, with lexis such as ‘gawkily’, ‘fumbling’ and ‘unsteady’, to achieve a descriptive understanding on how the character is in a drunken state.
I use phonological devices in Text A, such as the alliterative extract ‘downed them diligently’. The effect this has is to produce more power in the words as the reader reads them, to bring them to life, to entertain the reader.
In Text B, I used specialist lexis in the semantic field of music, such as ‘composed’ and ‘crescendo’. This was done to achieve a more professional and technical feel to the piece, as this would create interest for readers with musical knowledge. It also helps to describe the album tracks in more detail using technical music terms. I use a colloquial, informal phrase, ‘huh’. This is used to create a more conversational and informal tone in order to connect with the reader and draw them in.
I used alliteration and assonance in this piece of further the descriptive power. ‘Hefty huh’, this piece of alliteration helps to maximise the effect of the colloquial ‘huh’. The effect of giving life to the phrase is achieved, and is used as the phrase is displayed as being spoken word. Assonance is also used to create a softer sound as the phrase is read. The effect is achieved in the phrase ‘eases eager listeners’ as the letter ‘e’ is repeated several times.
I use personification in the piece in order to give the effect of a music track having human qualities. ‘The track amiably waves goodbye.’ This creates an effect of the track coming to life and having an effect on the listener.
