Language and style

Style of writing in lines 29-55

Lines 29 to 55 are distinctive because they contain a number of very different styles.

From line 29 to line 40, the text is written in the form of text messages, set out as a dialogue between two people demonstrated by the use of alternate lines. The text messages are indicated by italics and do not use quotation marks. They contain spelling mistakes, contractions, lack of punctuation and capitalization, slang, and abbreviations. For example, “Ur dressed the part ur walking whos going to know?” (l. 38). This shows an informal style that is representative of online communication, especially among young people. In this case, the way language is used can reflect the social background of the characters and also their familiar relationship with each other.

Lines 46 to 51 make use of a semi-formal style. Contractions like “you’re” or “isn’t” are still present, but the text is presented using standard language. The text here is used to suggest Hailey’s interior monologue, indicated by the use of rhetorical questions and reported speech: “And what was her m...