GCSE English Language- Q3 structural techniques

What is first person perspective?

the narration of the story in the perspective of the narrator; using "I"

Why is first person perspective interesting?

• establishes intimate understanding of the narrators interpretation and feelings, as well as their views and emotions.

• builds empathetic relationship between narrator and reader; we begin to care about them

What is second person perspective?

the narration of the story in the perspective of the reader; using "you"

Why is second person perspective interesting?

• instructional/commanding tone; subservient to the writer's direction and placed in powerless position- raises tension due to uncertainty

• reader feels blinded, information gradually revealed by writer's directions- raises fear and uncertainty

What is third person perspective?

the narration of the story in the a omniscient perspective; using "the", "he", or "she"

Why is third person perspective interesting?

• reader placed in omniscient position

• consider characters relationship

What is the exposition?

the beginning of a story

Why is the exposition interesting?

sets mood/atmosphere, writer may emphasise something in the story or put focus on something

What is orientation?

awareness of person, place, and time

Why is orientation intresting?

• may give clues about the setting, location, characters, etc.

• may raise questions for the reader

What is the setting?

where a story takes place

Why is the setting interesting?

• may foreshadow a later event

• indicate genre

• establishes atmosphere and mood

What is focus?

where the writer points the attention at in the extract

why is the focus interesting?

• changes perceptions of setting or character

• deliberately shows other viewpoints of characters or the whole narrative

What is spatial shift?

changes in space/setting of the extract

Why is spatial shift interesting?

can learn new information about the narrative, setting and characters

What is temporal shift?

change in time

Why is temporal shift interesting?

• allows us to learn more about a character or events

• could be used to leave suspense

What is analepsis?

a flashback

Why is analepsis interesting?

learn more about characters past and background, greater sympathy for character, better understanding of characterisation

What is prolepsis?

a flash-forward

Why is prolepsis interesting?

often raises more questions than they answer, unanswered questions, mystery

What is foreshadowing?

linking parts between the start and later parts of the extract by giving clues that establish character or plot

Why is foreshadowing interesting?

suggests change over course of extract

What is character introduction?

new characters being brought into the plot of the story

Why is character introduction interesting?

infer the roles, gives first impressions

What is motif?

A reoccuring theme or idea

Why is motif interesting?

• symbolises something

• could change symbolism throughout story

What is cyclical narrative?

when an extract seems to return to its starting point with a change or shift

Why is cyclical narrative interesting?

change/shift in something, tone or atomsphere may have changed

What is linear narrative?

events follow each other sequentially, in chronological order

Why is linear narrative interesting?

has a turning point (volta)

What is non-linear narrative?

events do not follow each other sequentially, not chronological

Why is non-linear narrative interesting?

changes perception of character or setting