The Spooks Apprentice by Joseph Delaney

Chapter 3 language techniques

As you read the chapter, think about the ways the author has created an atmosphere of terror
when Tom is in the house.
1. Complete the table with at least one more example for the language devices that the
author uses. One example for each device has been done for you.

Language device
Symbolic use of
light

Examples from the text

the flickering candle

All was quiet.

Short sentences

Pathetic fallacy
(when the weather
reflects the mood)

Personification

Effective
vocabulary

Description of the
setting

a heavy drizzle blew straight into our faces

the candle stub dancing till strange shadows flickered against the
wall.

damp, bleak

two huge wooden doors gaping open and hanging from their rusting
hinges.

2. Clichs
This chapter has quite a lot of scary story clichs. Write down three clichs you have spotted:
e.g. tunnels/cellars.
..................................

..................................

..................................

In what other ways do they make this chapter scary?

3. Answer the following question in an essay style, using PEE paragraphs.
How does Delany build tension in Chapter 3? Think about the language devices you have already
highlighted and the clichs you have identified.
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