If you are asked a question on how the writer uses language to make a point or develop an argument one of the options you can go for is use of word choice. Word choice is about thinking beyond the obvious meaning of a word in order to explore its connotations or what it suggests. Often words meaning almost the same thing imply quite different things. You need to be alert to recognise these when they occur. For example: “A crowd had gathered outside the house” Or “A mob had gathered outside the house” 'mob' has connotations of an unruly gathering and is far more threatening than ‘group’.

When dealing with word choice questions you will gain: 1 mark for correct choice of word/phrase and 1 mark for correct analysis If a question is worth 2 marks – you need to pick out 1 example and analyse If a question is worth 4 marks – you need to pick out 2 examples and analyse If a question is worth 6 marks – you need to pick out 3 examples and analyse IMPORTANT – YOU MUST LOOK AT HOW MANY MARKS ARE AWARDED AND ANSWER ACCORDINGLY!

Example: The figure was shrouded in a garment of deepest black which concealed its head, its face, its form and left nothing of it visible except the outstretched hand. How does the writer’s use of word choice convey an unsettling atmosphere? Possible answers: ‘Shrouded’ suggestions of death as a shroud is something which is put on a dead body which adds a touch of horror.  ‘Deepest black’  suggestions of complete darkness or obscurity which is very disconcerting.  ‘Concealed’  suggestions that something has been deliberately hidden from view which the reader finds disturbing. 

A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire. My guest was lying sprawled on his back. There was a long knife through his heart which skewered him to the floor. Tom cringed as Mr Connor leaned towards him. The figure was shrouded in a garment of deepest black which concealed its head, its face, its form and left nothing of it visible except one outstretched hand. How does word choice help create atmosphere in these examples? 2 marks

A lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire. The word lonely suggests someone who has no friends  which conjures up a gloomy atmosphere. Or the word feeble  suggests weakness, or lacking in strength  which conjures up a miserable atmosphere. 2. My guest was lying sprawled on his back. There was a long knife through his heart which skewered him to the floor. The word sprawled  suggests untidiness  creating an atmosphere of disorder. The word skewered  suggests something which has been nailed down or treated disrespectfully  creating an atmosphere of contempt.

3. Tom cringed as Mr Connor leaned towards him. The word cringed  suggests fear and nervousness  which creates a very uncomfortable atmosphere. 4. The figure was shrouded in a garment of deepest black which concealed its head, its face, its form and left nothing of it visible except one outstretched hand. The word shrouded  suggests death  creating sinister atmosphere Or The words deepest black  suggests no light whatsoever  creating a dangerous atmosphere. The word concealed  suggests something which has been masked or obscured  creating a sinister atmosphere.

Over the island the build-up of clouds continued Over the island the build-up of clouds continued. A steady current of heated air rose all day from the mountain and thrust to ten thousand feet; revolving masses of gas piled up the static until the air was ready to explode. By early evening the sun had gone down and a brassy glare had taken the place of clear daylight. Even the air that pushed in from the sea was hot and held no refreshment. Colours drained from water and trees and pink surfaces of rock, and the white and brown clouds brooded. How does the writer’s use of word choice and imagery help to build up a sense of tension within this extract? 6 marks

Any three examples plus analysis Over the island the build-up  (piling up)  of clouds continued. A steady current of heated air  (stifled)  rose all day from the mountain and thrust  (forceful)  to ten thousand feet; revolving masses of gas piled up  (sense of a mass building up)  the static  (electrical current- dangerous)  until the air was ready to explode  (something that is about to blow up)  By early evening the sun had gone down and a brassy glare  (grating bright light – creates discomfort)  had taken the place of clear daylight. Even the air that pushed in  (can’t control)  from the sea was hot and held no refreshment  (no sustenance).  Colours drained  (worn out wearied)  from water and trees and pink surfaces of rock, and the white and brown clouds brooded  (worrying, dwelling on something)  . Any three examples plus analysis

Dr No came slowly out from behind the desk and moved towards them Dr No came slowly out from behind the desk and moved towards them. He seemed to glide rather than take steps. His knees did not dent the matt, gunmetal sheen of his kimono and no shoes showed below the sweeping hem. It was impossible to tell Doctor No’s age: as far as Bond could see, there were no lines on the face. The eyebrows were fine and black and sharply unswept as if they had been painted on as make-up for a conjurer. Below them, slanting jet black eyes stared out of the skull. They were without eyelashes. They looked like the mouths of two small revolvers, direct and unblinking and totally devoid of expression. The bizarre, gliding figure looked like a giant venomous worm wrapped in grey tin-foil, and Bond would not have been surprised to see the rest of it trailing slimily along the carpet behind. How does the writer’s use language to make the character of Dr No seem a terrifying opponent for James Bond (6)

Dr No came slowly out from behind the desk and moved towards them Dr No came slowly out from behind the desk and moved towards them. He seemed to glide rather than take steps. His knees did not dent the matt, gunmetal sheen of his kimono and no shoes showed below the sweeping hem. It was impossible to tell Doctor No’s age: as far as Bond could see, there were no lines on the face. The eyebrows were fine and black and sharply unswept as if they had been painted on as make-up for a conjurer. Below them slanting jet black eyes stared out of the skull. They were without eyelashes. They looked like the mouths of two small revolvers, direct and unblinking and totally devoid of expression. The bizarre, gliding figure looked like a giant venomous worm wrapped in grey tin-foil, and Bond would not have been surprised to see the rest of it trailing slimily along the carpet behind.