Author's Use of Language
When writing, authors choose their words carefully to convey different meanings and ideas.
Figurative language can make a text more descriptive and appealing. Authors may use literary devices, such as
point of view, to show different aspects of a story. The words that an author uses also influences the
mood,
tone, and
voice of a text.
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Figurative language refers to language that does not use the literal, or real, meanings of words. Figurative language can make a text more interesting, persuasive, or powerful.
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A metaphor is used to make a comparison by saying that one thing is another, despite it not being literally true.
The cat's eyes were glowing lamp lights in the dark gloom of the hallway.
Authors use personification to describe non-human things as having human attributes.
The cheerful sun finally banished the dark clouds from the days-long rainstorm.
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Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told. Different points of view will reveal different parts of a story to readers. It can greatly affect how a story is told.
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In the subjective point of view, the text is influenced by the author's or characters' personal beliefs, opinions, and desires. The thoughts and feelings of characters are shown in this point of view.
Guilt sat like a boulder in the pit of Harry's stomach. He had only been trying to help, but his actions had only made things worse. I should have just kept quiet, he thought and sank lower into his chair as the argument around him grew louder and louder.
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In the objective point of view, readers do not have access to characters' thoughts or feelings. Only things that can be observed, such as characters' words and actions, are relayed in the story.
James and Carey's voices grew louder as their argument grew more heated. Harry's offhand comment had only escalated the situation. Trying to put himself out of sight, Harry sunk lower into his chair and would not meet anyone's eye.
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The mood of a work refers to its atmosphere, which affects readers' feelings and emotional responses towards the work.
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How is mood created or influenced in a text?
The setting of a story is when and where it takes place. If a story takes place on a sunny day in a meadow, it will have a different mood than a story that takes place in the middle of the night in a haunted house.
Word choice is also referred to as diction. How an author describes a character, place, or situation can affect how someone feels when reading through a text. Words with strong emotional connotations are likely to be used to set the mood of a work.
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The tone of a work is an author's attitude, or feelings, towards a topic or idea. Tone conveys the author's viewpoint on something.
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How do writers change their tone?
The words that authors use to describe a situation or idea can reveal their feelings on it. If an author has a positive opinion, more positive words will be used, and vice versa. The formality of the language used can also influence tone. A more formal tone may be used to discuss more serious topics.
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Voice is the style in which an author writes his or her work. It can show an author's personality and feelings about a topic. Voice can also be applied to characters in a story. A character's voice can refer to his or her personality and attitude.
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How can you recognize voice in a text?
What kind of language does the author use? Is it formal or informal? Does the author try to be funny? Or is he or she serious when writing? Recognizing the kinds of words that an author uses will give you insight into his or her personality and feelings.
How do characters interact with one another? Do they like or dislike each other. How does a character feel about a certain situation? How do characters choose to express themselves? Are they loud or quiet? Happy or sad?
All of these things can give readers insight into a character and his or her unique voice.
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Go to the next page to answer questions about an author's use of language.
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7th Grade Reading - Author's Use of Language Lesson