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Writing Techniques and Terms
Carpenters use simple tools—saws, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers—to build amazing things. Having the tools isn’t enough, though. Builders need to know how to use them, the special techniques that yield excellent results.
As a writer, you too have a set of simple tools—description, argumentation, details, dialogue, grammar—that help you create amazing work. You can learn specific techniques for using them to get the job done.
Think of this chapter as your toolbox of writing terms and techniques. Find a tool that you can use and try it out in your own writing!
What’s Ahead
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Writing Techniques
Review the following techniques and then experiment with some in your own writing. (See pages 286–287 for poetic techniques.)
Allusion A reference to something well-known
I’m a good writer, but I’m not a Jedi yet.
Analogy A comparison showing unexpected similarities between different things
Revising a document is weeding your word garden.
Anecdote A brief story used to illustrate or make a point
When my brother heard about “Share a Spare,” he decided to donate a kidney to a complete stranger.
Antithesis Using opposite ideas together to make a point
“Folks who have no vices have very few virtues.” —Abraham Lincoln
Colloquialism A common word or phrase used regionally in everyday speech but not in formal writing
If I had my druthers, I’d stay home, dontcha know?
Exaggeration Stretching the truth to emphasize a point (See also hyperbole and overstatement.)
That lecture was so long, I got gray hair.
Flashback A technique in which a writer interrupts a story to go back to an earlier event
As I waited for the bus, I thought of the first time I had ridden it to school. I remembered Jason in the back seat with his cruel grin. “I’ll walk to school,” I decided.
Foreshadowing Hints or clues about what will happen next in a story
That night at the sleepover, I hid my phone where no one would find it. Not even me.
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Hyperbole Overexaggeration used to emphasize a point
The doctor said to Mom, “Your ankle is sprained. Now pay me ten million dollars.”
Irony An expression in which the author says one thing but means just the opposite
The fun of crashing my bike couldn’t compare to the joy of getting stitches.
Juxtaposition Putting two contrasting ideas, words, or pictures together to create a new, often ironic meaning
A pug’s beauty lies in its ugliness.
Loaded words Words that have strong emotion connected to them (Advertising often uses loaded words.)
Don’t get fooled by cheap knock-offs! Buy the genuine cubic-zirconia ring of her dreams.
Local color Using details that are common in a certain place
It was Friday, so we went to fish fry before karaoke.
Metaphor A figure of speech that equates two things, comparing without using like or as
His refusal was a hammer blow.
Overstatement An exaggeration or a stretching of the truth (See exaggeration and hyperbole.)
The first drop of the roller coaster began just beneath the moon.
Oxymoron Connecting two words with opposite meanings
found missing deafening silence humblebrag
Paradox A true statement that connects opposite ideas in a way that is surprising
Playing “in the zone” means focusing without thinking.
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Parallelism Repeating similar grammatical structures (words, phrases, or sentences) to give writing rhythm
The river rolled and ran, foamed and frothed, whirled and twirled on its way down the mountainside.
Personification A figure of speech in which a nonhuman thing (an idea, object, or animal) is given human characteristics
The road said, “Psst! Get out here. Come with me!”
Pun A phrase that uses words with a double meaning to create a humorous effect
I didn’t like Equis—too much horseplay. (Equis is a play about a horse.)
Sarcasm Using irony to mock (See irony.)
Next time you bake a pie, you can save time by skipping the oven and going right to the garbage.
Sensory details Specific details that help the readers see, feel, smell, taste, or hear the subject.
The blueberry snow cone crunched cold in my teeth, sweet at first bite but gradually turning my lips blue and freezing my brain.
Simile A figure of speech that compares two things using the word like or as
Kindness hovered around me like butterflies.
Slang Informal words or phrases used by particular groups of people
that’s cringe I’m shook dude! the fam
Symbol A concrete or real object used to represent an idea
heart = love fist = defiance trophy = victory
Synecdoche The use of part of something to represent the whole
The ranch has 500 head of cattle. (Head represents the whole animal.)
Understatement The opposite of overstatement; using very calm language to address a serious issue
If you don’t mind an occasional engine fire, you’ll enjoy this spacious family sedan.
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Writing Terms
This glossary defines key terms in writing. Turn here whenever you are unsure of the difference between topic sentences and thesis statements, diction and dialogue, and so on.
Argumentation Writing or speaking that uses reasoning, debate, and logic to make a point
Arrangement The order in which details are organized in a piece of writing
Audience Those people who read or hear what you have written
Balance Arranging words and phrases in a way to give them equal importance
Beginning The opening part in a piece of writing
Body The main (middle) part in a piece of writing, containing details that support a topic sentence or thesis statement
Brainstorming Collecting ideas by thinking freely about all the possibilities; used most often with groups
Central idea The main point of a piece of writing, often stated in a thesis statement or topic sentence
Cliché An overused word or phrase that is no longer an effective way of saying something—as in “flat as a pancake”
Closing (Ending) The summary or final part in a piece of writing; the last sentence in a paragraph or the final paragraph in an essay
Coherence The logical arrangement of ideas in writing
Description Writing that creates a colorful picture of a person, a place, a thing, or an idea
Details The words used to describe a person, persuade an audience, explain a process, or in some way support the main idea
Dialogue Conversation between two or more people in stories, narratives, or essays
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Diction A writer’s level of language: slang, colloquial, formal, and so on
Drafting The actual writing that follows prewriting
Editing Checking writing for the standard conventions of the language
Essay Writing in which ideas on a single topic are explained, argued for, or described
Explanatory (expository) Writing that explains
Extended definition Writing that goes beyond a simple definition of a term
Figurative language Nonliteral language such as similes and metaphor
Fluency The ability to express yourself freely and naturally
Focus The specific part of a topic emphasized
Freewriting Writing openly and freely on any topic
Generalization A general statement that gives a broad view
Grammar The rules that govern the standard structures of the language
Idiom A phrase or an expression that means something different from what the words actually say, for example, "That answer was really out in left field."
Jargon The technical language of a particular group (musicians, computer programmers, and so on)
Journal A daily record of thoughts, impressions, and autobiographical information
Limiting the subject Narrowing the subject to a specific topic suitable for writing
Literal The actual dictionary meaning of a word; language that means exactly what it appears to mean
Logic Correctly using reasons, facts, and examples to support a point
Modifiers Words, phrases, or clauses that describe another word or phrase
Narration Writing that tells a story or recounts an event
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Objective Writing that gives factual information without adding feelings or opinions
Persuasion Writing that is meant to influence or change the way the reader thinks
Point of view The position or angle from which a story is told (See page 396.)
Prewriting The planning that comes before the actual writing
Prose Writing or speaking in standard sentence form
Purpose The specific reason a person has for writing; the goal of writing
Revision Changing a first draft to improve it
Sensory words Words for sights, sounds, smells, and so on
Style How authors write (the choice and arrangement of words)
Subjective Writing that includes personal feelings, attitudes, and opinions
Supporting details Details used to prove, explain, or describe a topic (examples, anecdotes, facts)
Syntax The order and relationship of words in a sentence
Theme The central idea in a piece of writing
Thesis statement A statement that gives the focus of an essay
Tone The writer’s attitude toward a subject (A writer’s tone can be serious, humorous, and so on.)
Topic The specific subject of a piece of writing
Topic sentence The sentence that identifies the topic of a paragraph
Traits of writing The basic elements of writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions
Transitions Words or phrases that connect or tie ideas together (See page 101.)
Unity A sense of oneness in writing (All of the sentences work together.)
Usage The way in which people use language, usually either standard (formal and informal) or nonstandard
Voice A writer’s distinctive tone and style
Writing situation The purpose, audience, subject, and type of writing for a specific assignment
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