1.
Diction (Word Choice) Effects:
o Formal diction: Creates a sense of authority, seriousness, or distance
o Informal diction: Builds intimacy, relatability, or casualness
o Concrete words: Enhance vivid imagery and sensory experience
o Abstract words: Promote conceptual thinking or philosophical reflection
o Emotive language: Evokes strong feelings or emotional responses
o Technical terms: Establishes expertise or specificity in a field
2. Syntax (Sentence Structure) Effects:
o Short sentences: Create urgency, tension, or simplicity
o Long, complex sentences: Convey complexity of thought, flow, or detail
o Fragmented sentences: Emphasize key points, create a choppy rhythm, or mimic
thought processes
o Parallel structure: Establishes rhythm, emphasizes connections, or aids
memorability
3. Literary Devices Effects:
o Metaphors/Similes: Create vivid imagery, aid understanding of complex ideas
o Personification: Brings inanimate objects to life, adds emotional depth
o Symbolism: Adds layers of meaning, encourages deeper interpretation
o Irony: Creates humor, highlights contradictions, or adds complexity
4. Tone Effects:
o Serious tone: Conveys importance or gravity of a subject
o Humorous tone: Entertains, relieves tension, or makes difficult topics more
approachable
o Sarcastic tone: Criticizes indirectly, creates irony
o Sympathetic tone: Builds emotional connection with readers
5. Mood Effects:
o Suspenseful mood: Keeps readers engaged, creates anticipation
o Melancholic mood: Evokes sadness or reflection
o Uplifting mood: Inspires or motivates readers
6. Narrative Techniques Effects:
o First-person POV: Creates intimacy, limits perspective, can be unreliable
o Third-person omniscient: Provides comprehensive view, can feel less personal
o Flashbacks: Adds depth to characters, creates intrigue
o Foreshadowing: Builds anticipation, creates cohesion in the narrative
7. Rhetorical Strategies Effects:
o Ethos: Builds credibility, encourages trust in the author
o Pathos: Evokes emotional responses, motivates through feeling
o Logos: Persuades through logic, appeals to rational thinking
o Rhetorical questions: Engages readers, prompts reflection
8. Structural Choices Effects:
o Chronological structure: Creates clear timeline, aids understanding
o Non-linear structure: Mimics memory or emotional states, creates intrigue
o Repetition: Emphasizes key points, creates rhythm
o Cliffhangers: Builds suspense, encourages continued reading
9. Imagery Effects:
o Visual imagery: Creates vivid mental pictures
o Auditory imagery: Enhances sensory experience, brings scenes to life
o Tactile imagery: Increases reader's sensory engagement
10. Characterization Effects:
o Direct characterization: Provides clear understanding of characters
o Indirect characterization: Encourages reader interpretation, mimics real-life
interactions
Remember, these effects can vary based on context, audience, and how skillfully the writer
employs these elements. Often, the most powerful effects come from the interplay of multiple
elements working together.
