The importance of using language techniques in NCEA English and creative writing.

I stared at the blank page, the cursor alarming me that it is stagnant. It wanted to progress down the page, and yet, here I was without a thought in my head to write upon the page. But I cranked my neck and stared hopeful at the ceiling, and a little yet important idea pranced into my mind. That’s when I knew my life as a writer was going to elevate, the moment I experimented with language features. - I knew how I could begin!

See what I did there? I added imagery, personification and foreshadowing. Rather than a simple introduction to my blog, I used a variety of language features. This is a powerful tool for NCEA English assessment and examinations.

Foreshadowing, in particular, is a great way to develop a beginning of any type of NCEA English creative writing. This is because you can reel in your audience in a creative way. Foreshadowing allows for the reader to predict what may happen in your writing. There are many different language features you can use within your NCEA English writing and I think it is beneficial for any writer (whether new or experienced) to dabble in a variety of different language features to describe and develop images within the reader’s mind.

Deliberately thinking about language features means you are actively trying to lift the images in the reader’s mind. You are no longer being hopeful that they may see what you want them to imagine, but you are putting images into their minds. This is why in the classroom, and in NCEA English, we practice things like adjectives, verbs, connotations and even punctuation. They all contribute to developing effective writing skills.

NCEA English looks at language features to improve your quality of writing.

Here are a variety of language features you can explore in NCEA English:

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Onomatopoeia

• Connotations

• Alliteration

• Assonance

• Foreshadowing

• Minor sentences

• Listing

• Hyperbole

• Contrast

• Adjectives

• Verbs

• Nouns

• Pronouns

• Punctuation

The more you use a variety of interesting and new words in NCEA English, the more likely you will extend your vocabulary.

Extend your vocabulary using synonyms in NCEA English:

Another tip is to learn how to explore synonyms and extend your vocabulary in NCEA English. If you stick with the same wording all the time, then you may limit how you develop your writing skills in NCEA English. By looking online, in dictionaries, and exploring new words you’ve learned recently, you can develop your vocabulary and learn to create a variety of images. I find when I am watching a movie and I hear an interesting word, I will look up the meaning and try to use it sometime during my day. I will also try to put it into my next written piece. This is a great way to develop your vocabulary in NCEA English.

Best of luck with your writing. Experiment, play, challenge yourself as a writer. Creation is limitless and so much fun if you let go and enjoy the process.

Tovah O’Neill

Tovah's Tutoring Company Ltd

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