Use of Language Techniques: Examples from ‘Big World’ in The Turning

Term Definition Example and explanation Idea that is expressed (or alternative
example and explanation).
Connotation The associated ideas or feelings that The use of the word “horizon” (p.2) connotes our cultural ‘Biggie’s not the brightest crayon in the box’.
a word or phrase has. understandings of the horizon being the limit of our Brightest connotes intelligence.
journey, thus the journey is limitless and likewise the Connotation allows the author to sophisticatedly refer
future and all its attendant opportunities. to something without outrightly stating its meaning.
These implications can be used to link themes and
ideas.
Contrast (you When two things that have very Winton emphasises the lack of future and opportunities Horizon implies an upward and outward
could reference different qualities or associations are for Biggie and the protagonist through the juxtaposition of vision/perspective, meanwhile the boys wear beanies
juxtaposition) described together. the connotations of the word “horizon”, and locating it around their ears, so they have not yet opened
around the protagonists’ ears (p2). themselves to the horizons available.
‘he couldn’t give a rat’s ring’. Rats contrast the idea of
value and jewellery yet, are put together to describe
how little Biggie cared.
Contrast can be used to draw the attention of the reader
and exaggerate in the juxtaposition of ideas.

Direct speech Dialogue or extracts of conversation The absence of direct speech brings a liminal quality to
that are placed within a prose text. the writing whereby the boundary between the narrator The nameless character and unknown, omnipresent
and character is blurred and ownership of the voice that is voice of the narrator expresses the sentiment that the
speaking is not made explicit. This creates the effect of experience and perspective of this character are
“thinking” with the character and aligns the reader very generalised, in that many people experience the same
closely with the character’s own personality. things, developing a shared understanding.
Furthermore, the absence of a name for the protagonist
further enhances this alignment.
Emotive language The use of words or phrases that “Some days I can see me and Biggie out there as old Words determine the tone of the piece. The tone
arouse a particular feeling in the codgers, anchored to the friggin place, stuck there determines the reaction of the reader and positions
reader. The composer uses them to forever.” The use of “anchored”, “friggin place” and them to view an idea in a particular way, determined
elicit this effect “stuck forever” highlights the perspective of the character by the author. The example implies a desire and need
as seeing Angelus as a place that you get stuck in. The to escape.
tone is negative. The protagonist perceives Angelus as a
town that can offer him nothing.
Hyperbole Extreme exaggeration for effect of “Until that moment I was disappearing” (p. 8). By ‘leaving a tip so big the waiter inhales his moustache’.
emphasis. drawing on the implications of disappearing into Used to describe just how rich he would be in his
nothingness, Winton emphasises the almost total loss of dreams.
self experienced by the protagonist in his misery. Hyperbole is used to depict how
immense/overwhelming/significant something is,
leaving a greater impression on the reader.
Incongruence When something is said or done that “to be honest he’s not really my sort of bloke at all, but Used to express the irony and absurdity of
appears in contrast to the subject somehow he’s my best mate” (p.4) something/life.
matter.

Irony When someone says or does We see irony in the protagonist’s return to Angelus to re- The idea expressed is that life makes many circles,
something that has the opposite sit his exams after all the emphasis on his “dreams of the never say never and that sometimes something you
meaning to its intention. big world beyond” (p.6) and “escaping” (p.2) from may not want, may lead to a brighter future.
Angelus. Irony can be used to send similar messages on the
broad reality of life. (Ironic that Biggie got a girlfriend
but not the protagonist)

Linear and non- Linear structure is the arrangement of At many points, Winton flashes back into the past, into This allows Winton to begin in the middle of the
linear structure events of chronological order in the the present and sometimes into the future. action and then integrate and develop the backstory.
narrative. Non-linear structure refers This is establishing a more engaging progression of the
to the arrangement of events not in story. Meanwhile, looking to the future creates a
chronological order. Flashback or reflective and shocking affect as the big picture
cyclical structures are types of non- consequences are depicted.
linear narratives.
Metaphor A comparison between two things Winton uses the metaphor of “the horizon around our ‘a big tolerance routine that dried up’ depict how the
when one thing is described as ears” to illustrate the apparent lack of a successful or routine was like a watering hole that disappeared
another thing. meaningful future for Biggie and “I” (p.2). quickly.
Metaphor is used to create a clearer image of the
scenario in the readers’ mind.
e.g.‘our getaway vehicle is a garden shed on wheels’
Personification A type of metaphor in which an Winton uses personification via. “…the burning kite This is to similarly depict a clear image in the readers’
inanimate object or concept is given consumed its own tail” (p. 12), to undermine the mind that connects objects to familiar actions and
human qualities. protagonist’s sense of “power and promise” (p.12) that facets of humanity. Creating a greater emotional
had been aligned with the beauty of the kite “looping and connection between the reader and the object,
spiralling … against the night sky”. highlighting its significance to the development of the
story or to be more engaging.
Repetition Refers to the use of a word, sound or “We’ve reached a world where … nobody knows us and Repetition builds and cumulates an idea, granting the
phrase used more than once in close nobody cares” (p. 4). The repetition of nobody reader a heightened emotional experience, whether it
proximity for effect or emphasis. emphasises the sense of freedom the protagonist feels on be anticipation, fear or desolation.
his initial escape from Angelus and furthermore that
freedom meant anonymity.
Rhetorical Questions posed to a person, oneself “is there anything sexier than a mango?” (p.8) They can be used to convince yourself or someone else
questions or the audience without requiring or of something, or depict to the reader that although
expecting a response. confident, the character’s ideas are being influenced by
some external experience and they are being illogical.
Simile A comparison between two things “A long long kiss, deep and playful as a conversation” ‘The VW shakes like a boiling billy’. Describes how
using as or like. (p.10). overworked the VW is and how unreasonable their
The use of this simile emphasises the naturalness of the winter fashion in summer is.
interaction with the girl of his fantasies, that the kiss is
 fun, friendly, easy but also intimate.
Symbolism The use of an object (inanimate or Winton depicts the kite, which ordinarily will fly as long Beanies are symbolic of how they are stuck in the past
animate) to represent something else. as there is wind, as burning and eventually “consumes” (winter when it is already summer) and are not
Often it is a tangible object that (p.12) itself. The kite is carrying with it its own progressing.
stands for an intangible idea. destruction, its own failure to fly and is symbolic of the Symbolism establishes implications, connecting
path of escape that Biggie and the protagonist undertake. oftentimes broader connotations of society to the
characters of the story. This creates depth in the
message and development of the story.
Tone and mood The tone is the feeling that the “The southern sky presses down and beaches and bays ‘endless misting drizzle’ creates a relentless sad, dull
(attitude) author demonstrates toward his/ her turn the colour of dirty tin” (p.1). Winton is tone.
subject matter. The mood is the simultaneously describing the environment and the mood The tone determines the reaction of the reader and
feeling that is aroused in the of the protagonist. The “sky press[ing] down” signals the positions them to view an idea in a particular way,
responder by the description of a protagonist’s perspective of being trapped and suggests determined by the author.
particular thing, place, person, or this feeling of being trapped carries a heavy emotional
event. weight for the protagonist. “Dirty tin” carries the
implications of grotty and cheap, thereby emphasising the
unpleasantness of the place he is feeling trapped in.
- Sentence length  tone and mood
- Alliteration
- Allusion
- Imagery
- Lexis
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