Writer’s Craft Questions

What are Writer's Effect Questions?

Writer's effect questions delve into how an author uses language to create
a specific impact on the reader. They require you to analyze the text
closely, identify literary devices, and explain their purpose. These
questions often start with phrases like:
 How does the writer use... to create...
 What effect does the use of... have on the reader?
 Explain the impact of... on the overall tone of the piece.

How to Answer Writer's Effect Questions

1. Identify the Literary Device: Pinpoint the specific language
technique used by the author, such as simile, metaphor,
personification, imagery, symbolism, tone, or word choice.
2. Explain the Meaning: Clearly articulate what the literary device
means in the context of the text.
3. Analyze the Effect: Describe how the literary device makes the
reader feel or think. Consider the overall impact on the tone,
atmosphere, or message of the piece.
4. Support with Evidence: Use specific examples from the text to
support your analysis. Quote relevant passages to strengthen your
argument.
Tips for Answering
 Read Carefully: Thoroughly understand the text before attempting
to answer the question.
 Focus on the Question: Ensure your answer directly addresses
the specific prompt.
 Use Strong Vocabulary: Employ precise language to convey your
understanding of literary devices and their effects.
 Practice Regularly: The more you practice analyzing texts, the
better equipped you will be to answer writer's effect questions.
 Consider the Context: Analyze the literary device within the
broader context of the text, considering the author's purpose and
target audience.
Example Question and Answer
Question: How does the writer use imagery to create a sense of
loneliness in the following passage?
Passage about a character walking alone on a deserted beach at night
Answer: The writer employs vivid imagery to evoke a profound sense of
loneliness. The description of the "moonless sky" and "clamorous waves"
creates a dark and desolate atmosphere. The character's isolation is
emphasized through the use of words like "solitary" and "deserted," which
contribute to the overall feeling of despair.
Additional Tips
 Consider the Audience: Think about how the writer's choices
might affect different readers.
 Look for Patterns: Often, authors repeat literary devices for
emphasis.
 Practice with Different Text Types: Apply your skills to various
genres, such as fiction, poetry, and non-fiction.

Signposts of Writer's Effect Questions

Writer's effect questions often contain specific keywords or phrases that
signal the type of response expected. Here are some common signposts:
Key Verbs:
 How does the writer use...
 What effect does... have on the reader?
 Explain the impact of...
 Analyze the writer's use of...
 Discuss the effect of...
Key Phrases:
To create a sense of...
To evoke a feeling of...
To emphasize...
To persuade the reader to...
To convey a message about...
Example questions:
 How does the writer use imagery to create a sense of mystery?
 What effect does the repetition of the word "fear" have on the
reader?
 Explain the impact of the simile "brave as a lion" on the overall tone
of the piece?

Key Literary Devices to Understand Writer's Craft

To truly grasp the artistry of writing, students should focus on the
following literary devices:
Figurative Language
 Simile: Comparing two unlike things using "like" or "as."
 Metaphor: Directly comparing two unlike things without using "like"
or "as."
 Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human objects or
animals.
 Hyperbole: Exaggeration for dramatic effect.
 Understatement: Deliberately downplaying something for ironic
effect.
 Symbolism: Using objects or characters to represent abstract
ideas.
  Imagery: Creating vivid pictures in the reader's mind through
sensory details.
Sound Devices
 Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of
words.
 Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within words
 Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds
Structure and Style
 Point of view: The perspective from which the story is told.
 Tone: The author's attitude towards the subject matter.
 Mood: The atmosphere or feeling created in the reader.
 Irony: A contrast between what is expected and what actually
happens.
 Foreshadowing: Hints or clues about future events.
 Flashback: Interruptions in the story to depict past events.
Other Important Elements
 Theme: The central message or idea of the text.
 Plot: The sequence of events in a story.
 Character: The people or animals in a story.
 Setting: The time and place of a story.
By understanding these devices, students can delve deeper into the
author's intent and appreciate the nuances of language.

Examples of Literary Devices

Figurative Language
 Simile: Her hair was like spun gold.
 Metaphor: The world is a stage.
 Personification: The wind whispered through the trees.
 Hyperbole: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
 Understatement: It's a bit cold today. (On a freezing day)
 Symbolism: The dove is a symbol of peace.
 Imagery: The crimson sunset painted the sky with hues of orange
and purple.
Sound Devices
 Alliteration: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
 Assonance: The sound of the sea sang sweetly.
 Onomatopoeia: The sizzling bacon filled the kitchen.
Structure and Style
 Point of view: First person (I, me, my), second person (you), third
person (he, she, it, they).
 Tone: The author's tone in "The Tell-Tale Heart" is suspenseful and
obsessive.
  Mood: The mood of a horror story is often eerie and frightening.
 Irony: A fire station burning down.
 Foreshadowing: The eerie music hinted at the upcoming villain's
appearance.
 Flashback: The old man reminisced about his childhood.
Other Important Elements
 Theme: The theme of "To Kill a Mockingbird" is racial injustice.
 Plot: The plot of "The Three Little Pigs" involves a wolf trying to eat
pigs.
 Character: The character of Sherlock Holmes is intelligent and
observant.
 Setting: The setting of "Wuthering Heights" is the English moors.

Imagery: Painting Pictures with Words

Imagery is the use of vivid language to create mental images or sensory
experiences for the reader. It appeals to the five senses: sight, sound,
touch, taste, and smell.
Types of Imagery
1. Visual Imagery: Appealing to the sense of sight.
o Examples: The sky was a canvas of orange, pink, and purple.
The old house stood like a ghostly silhouette against the
moonlit sky.
2. Auditory Imagery: Appealing to the sense of hearing.
o Examples: The gentle lapping of waves against the shore. The
cacophony of the city traffic.
3. Tactile Imagery: Appealing to the sense of touch.
o Examples: The soft, velvety petals of the rose. The icy cold
water splashed on his face.
4. Gustatory Imagery: Appealing to the sense of taste.
o Examples: The sweet, tangy taste of lemonade. The bitter
taste of defeat.
5. Olfactory Imagery: Appealing to the sense of smell.
o Examples: The delicious aroma of freshly baked bread. The
pungent smell of burning rubber.
How Imagery Works
Imagery helps to create a deeper connection between the reader and the
text. It allows the reader to experience the story or poem more fully by
engaging their senses. Imagery can also be used to evoke emotions,
create atmosphere, and enhance the overall meaning of a piece of
writing.
Practice Question:

Question: How does the writer use simile to create a sense of awe in the
following passage?
The old oak tree stood tall and proud, its branches reaching for the sky
like the outstretched arms of a giant welcoming the dawn.
Question 1:
How does the writer use personification to create a sense of urgency in
the following sentence: "The wind howled like a wounded beast, tearing at
the house.
Question 2:
What effect does the repetition of the word "alone" have on the overall
mood of the paragraph? "Alone in the vast expanse of the ocean, the
sailor felt a profound sense of solitude. Alone with his thoughts, he
pondered the mysteries of life. Alone in the face of the storm, he clung to
hope."
Question 3:
How does the writer use imagery to create a feeling of nostalgia in the
following passage: "The old, creaky swing set stood silent in the
overgrown backyard, a relic of carefree childhood summers."
Question 4:
Explain the impact of the metaphor "life is a journey" on the overall
theme of the essay. "Life is a journey, filled with twists and turns,
mountains to climb, and valleys to cross."
Question 5:
How does the writer use irony to create a humorous effect in the following
scene: "The experienced burglar tripped over his own feet as he entered
the house, setting off the alarm."