Name of SE Hinton’s Writerly Technique: Using detailed word choice to show the feeling of a situation. (Mood)
Explanation of technique: SE Hinton uses details of the carnage of Bob (a situation), which gives that part emotion/mood by using such detailed vocabulary/word choice.
What makes this technique so genius: This technique works because the mood of The Outsiders doesn’t remain constant. So, when SE Hinton wants to change the mood, she uses detailed word choice which gives the reader visualizations which helps determine the mood of the reader.
How SE Hinton Used This Technique in Her Writing:
Detailed Words:
What is being explained by the words:
How can we borrow SE Hinton’s writerly technique:
Explanation of technique: SE Hinton uses details of the carnage of Bob (a situation), which gives that part emotion/mood by using such detailed vocabulary/word choice.
What makes this technique so genius: This technique works because the mood of The Outsiders doesn’t remain constant. So, when SE Hinton wants to change the mood, she uses detailed word choice which gives the reader visualizations which helps determine the mood of the reader.
How SE Hinton Used This Technique in Her Writing:
Detailed Words:
- Handsome soc
- Lying there in the moonlight.
- Doubled up and still.
- A dark pool was growing from him, spreading slowly over the blue-white cement.
- He was clutching his switchblade.
- It was dark to the hilt.
- My stomach gave a violent jump and my blood turned icy.
What is being explained by the words:
- The body of Bob
- How his body is positioned and where it is.
- How Bob is reacting, or acting.
- How Bob’s blood is draining out of his body, from the wound he was stabbed.
- How Johnny is holding the switchblade, if he was holding it at all, opposed to if it was dangling from his hands, or dropped on the ground.
- How far the blade went into Bob’s body, maybe a sign of disrespect or vengeance because it was dark all the way to the hilt.
- Shows how Ponyboy feels about the event that has just occurred.
How can we borrow SE Hinton’s writerly technique:
- During an important event, make sure you can visualize it.
- Underline or circle any word choice that is detailed.
- If there is too much detail, take some away.
- If there is not enough detail, add some to even it out or if you need to, get more.