What is Stress?
Intense pressure or focus.
Feeling the Strain: An Exploration of Stress in Creative Writing
Stress is a common concept in creative writing, as it often describes the pressure or tension placed on a character or situation within a story. However, stress can also have a literal meaning in regards to the craft of writing.
When we talk about stress in language, we are referring to the emphasis placed on certain syllables or words within a sentence. This concept can greatly impact the tone and flow of a piece of writing, as well as its overall meaning and impact on the reader. Understanding the usage of stress in writing can enhance the rhythm and musicality of a sentence, making it more engaging for the audience.
So, when writing creatively, it's important to consider both the figurative and literal definitions of stress in order to create a well-crafted and impactful piece.
Stress is a literary technique used to create tension or focus on particular words or syllables. Let's look at two examples of this in literature:
"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more."
In this famous soliloquy, Shakespeare uses stress to emphasize the impermanence and futility of life and compare it to the fleeting nature of a candle flame.
"I hope she'll be a fool—that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."
Fitzgerald uses stress to convey a sense of desperation and frustration in this quote, highlighting the limited opportunities and expectations for women during the time period of the novel.