Expressive types of speech can describe characters,
put the reader into settings, and heighten or clarify action.
Comparisons and explanatory word choices add depth to writing. Psychologist/writing teacher extraordinaire, Margie
Lawson, claims there are many rhetorical devices to use in our writing, but twenty-five top
her best-ever list.
Before taking her classes, I admit to only remembering four;
simile, metaphor, oxymoron, and alliteration.
How many can you name?
How many do you use in your writing?
Expressive
types of speech makes your writing not just good, but excellent.
I scanned a couple of my works in progress, picked out a few
sentences, and applied an expressive type of speech to make the sentence or
sentences visible and memorable. I first give a definition. Here’s my
before and after sentences to spark your imagination.
Alliteration
– using the same consonant sounds in a row.
Before - Her mother’s calls unsettled her.
After – Her mother’s calls drenched her with discomfort,
distaste, and disappointment.
Simile - comparing
one thing with something else (usually used with like or as).
Before – Her words hurt Lacey.
After - Her words sliced through
Lacey like tornados shattered Texas
cornfields.
Before – His going to church was
rare.
After - His going to church was like moving a redneck into New York City.
Metaphor – Comparing two things by using one in place of the
other.
Before – A river wound through the
canyon walls.
After – A green snake writhed
between canyon walls.
Before – When Victoria moved to the
country, she got a cute guy, but I get an old, crippled-looking man.
After - When Victoria
moved to the country, she got a cute guy, but I get Gandolf from Lord of the
Rings.
For those who read my book, “Victoria and the Ghost,” the
above example comes from the sequel due out in June, 2014.
Personification – speaking of inanimate objects like they
were alive.
Before – Purple wildflowers bloomed
at the rocks’ edge.
After - Purple wildflowers wiggled
their stiff stems and demanded space amongst the rocks.
Oxymoron – two words that mean the exact opposite
Before - She wore make-up but was
still ugly.
After – She was as gorgeous as
Godzilla in makeup.
Anaphora – is repeating the same words or phrases three
times for emphasis.
Before – (only the original sentence) Her heart moved out of her chest, skimmed
her stomach, wiggled toward her toes.
After - (same
sentence but added anaphora) Her heart moved out of her chest, skimmed
her stomach, wiggled toward her toes.
Perhaps it was his too-sad eyes.
Perhaps it was his too-caring tone.
Perhaps it was the way he caught her when her
legs gave way.
Well, there’s my examples.
I challenge you
to go through your works in progress. Use expressive types of speech to
clarify, heighten sensory, and rev up action. Make your writing superb.
