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COMMUNICATION STUDIES NOTES
Language Techniques
Technique: is the manner and ability with which an artist, writer, dancer, athlete, and so
on, employs the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavour.
1 The student needs to practice essay writing in order to improve his or her technique.
2 The dancer displays excellent technique.
Language techniques or strategies are also sometimes confused with organisational strategies. They should not
be. For instance, you should organise your expository essay to compare or contrast, or to identify cause and effect
and so on. These are organisational strategies.
In order to achieve your organisational goal, however, you employ certain language techniques (or strategies). For
the purpose of this exercise we will use the term ‘language techniques’. The list of language techniques seems
inexhaustible. Nevertheless, there are some key points that are worth remembering:
1 There are some techniques that are considered to be most helpful and desirable for particular genres/modes (see
Chapter 2).
2 There are techniques that can be used for more than one genre.
3 A genre may be used as a language technique when the dominant genre is different.
Genre: the CAPE Communication Studies syllabus describes the word genre as a category of
literature or art. In Module 1 of the syllabus, ‘genre’ refers to the writing modes: narrative,
descriptive, exposition, argument.
Genre: the CAPE Communication Studies syllabus describes the word genre as a category of literature or art. In
Module 1 of the syllabus, ‘genre’ refers to the writing modes: narrative, descriptive, exposition, argument.
Table 3 provides samples of how it works.
EXAMPLES OF GENRE
WRITING GENRE (OR
MODE)
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUE
Exposition
The use of: illustration, examples or evidence, anecdote, description, analogy,
technical/scientific discourse (jargon), facts, objective discourse, analysis, definition,
point of view, transition words, comparison/contrast
Description
Narrative
The use of: spatial words (above, below, around and so on), sense words (sight,
hearing smell, taste, touch), adjectives, literary devices (metaphor, simile,
personification), illustration, facts (in exposition), comparison
The use of: sequence words, description, imagery, mood tone, irony, flashback,
satire, humour, point of view, third person narrative, repetition, suspense,
foreshadowing, plot twist, stream-of-consciousness, contrast, comparison
2
Argument
Persuasion
The use of: logic, supporting facts, anecdote, evidence, illustration, repetition, appeal
to emotion, rhetorical questions, transition words, conceding then refuting the point,
definitions
The use of: logical fallacies, repetition, rhetorical questions, emotive language,
comparison/contrast
Table 3
Although it would be impossible to illustrate every technique, it is important for you to understand:
1. The ways in which the same language techniques work in different genres
2. The ways in which language techniques can be used to enhance writing in particular genres.
Language techniques and different genres
In Table 3, two techniques have been highlighted: comparison and description. Here are examples of how they might
work when used as language techniques in different writing genres.
Narrative
We had always known that our neighbours were strange. But a week ago we would not
have thought they were as weird as we now do. So much has happened in seven short
days! Let me tell you why we now think they are aliens from Outer Space and not just
fussy eccentrics.
Lelia Lord
Comparison is used to highlight the change in the narrator’s view of his neighbours.
Argument
If the Government knew as much now about the Herboldt Project as they do now, they
would never have agreed to its establishment in this country. The project was set up in
other countries with the full knowledge of those governments and peoples, whereas here,
they chose to be secretive about the possible repercussions and results of injecting tons
of chemicals into our ecosystems.
Lelia Lord
Comparison is used to highlight the difference in the approach the company used.
Description
Narrative
As I wandered through the undergrowth I could not help but marvel at the beauty of it. I
knew I should hurry towards my destination, but the place was casting a spell on me. The
heavy scent of the flowers that were nestled in the roots of trees made my head spin, and
awoke in me a strange longing to lie amongst them. The sunlight glittered on the delicate
leaves, creating a dazzling display. I reached out to touch them.
Lelia Lord
3
Description is interwoven with the narrative to enhance the imagery and the narrative.
Exposition
This type is called a schooner and is used for inter-island travel. These schooners or sloops, as
they are also known, are quite large, with accommodation for up to 20 passengers. They use both
engine power and sail power, as they are equipped with square and lateen sails. Some schooners
have heavily carved and decorated
forecastles.
Lelia Lord
Description is used to add depth to the explanation.
The words and phrases that are in bold illustrate how the technique is used in each
genre. Note the use of transition words: as, also and whereas.
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COMMUNICATION STUDIES NOTES
Language techniques and enhancing writing styles
The purpose of using language techniques is to enhance writing styles, and particularly to draw the reader’s interest.
Increasing your vocabulary is important. In description, for example, sense words are often used to enhance creative
writing. You should select sense words that improve your writing style and create images in the reader’s mind. Study
the descriptive words and samples in Table 4.
DESCRIPTIVE WORDS
Sound words
Touch words
tinkling, murmuring, sighing, rustling, moaning, swishing, bubbling, sniveling
smashing, clattering, bellowing, rumbling, trumpeting, booming, raucous
scratchy, scarred, hairy, rough, dry, coarse
woolly, moist, numbing, waxy, polished, smooth, slippery, bushy, slimy
Sight words
glaring, glittery, shimmering, dazzling, crystalline, glassy, brilliant
pale, transparent, dull, opaque, dark, murky
Smell words
fragrant, perfumed, tangy, sweet
smelly, fetid, rotten, earthy, acrid, fishy, nauseating, musty, putrid
Taste words
delicious, tangy, bland, spicy, sweet, fruity, sugary, luscious, gingery
burnt, sour, vinegary, repulsive, raw, oily, salty, bitter, rotten, greasy
Sound words
tinkling, murmuring, sighing, rustling, moaning, swishing, bubbling, sniveling
smashing, clattering, bellowing, rumbling, trumpeting, booming, raucous
Table 4
The following sentence illustrates how to enhance a descriptive sentence.
No
A loud sound came to my ears. At the same time I smelled fire.
Yes
A booming, rumbling sound filled my ears as the acrid smell of smoke wafted through the air.
In the example below, several language techniques are used to enhance argumentative writing.
Lastly, but most importantly, a programme aimed at reversing increasing violence among the youth
must take into account the appalling lack of parental involvement that has been caused by increasing
economic hardship and societal stress. The findings of a comprehensive UCC survey completed in
2010, suggested that parents struggle to spend quality time with their children because they work two
or more jobs in order to feed, clothe and educate their families, leaving their children prey to the
social hazards inherent in their environment – drugs and violence. The situation can be likened to a
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game of Russian Roulette. Raising children successfully is subject to the luck of the draw!
The language techniques highlighted are:



Appalling, struggle, prey – emotive words.
The findings of a comprehensive UCC survey completed in 2010 – referring to reliable, up-to-date evidence.
Likened to a game of Russian Roulette – analogy.
Language techniques can be used to enhance not only your own writing, but also your understanding of how
language works. As you become aware of how this works, you will find that your communication skills will improve
dramatically.