Language In Short Stories

Words can be used in numerous ways. Sometimes words are used to create fear in someone and sometimes words can bring a sense of joy to someone. The diction that authors use in their writings provokes the reader's emotions and becomes more involved with the piece. Some author's use vivid language while others use simple language to create suspense. Three short story authors, Edgar Allen Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and Tomas Rivera, used language to bring depth to his short story and entice the reader to become part of the story too.

The use of vivid language in a novel or short story truly allows the reader to get a mental picture of what is taking place. Poe and Bierce both use vivid language in their short stories, "Ms. Found in a Bottle" and "The Damned Thing". In the beginning of "Ms. Found", Poe describes the vessel as "...a beautiful ship about four hundred tons [and] copper- fastened..." (19). From the start of the story, the reader gets an image about what the boat looks like, and immediately draws the reader into feeling more apart of the story. The diction Poe uses illustrates the details on the boat and the details of what events are taking place. Towards the end of the story a man passes the narrator and his portrayal of "his knees tottered beneath a load of years, and his entire frame quivered under the burthen" (23) illustrates the age of the gentleman.