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Dennis Kelly's language in DNA is very different from the elaborate verse of Shakespeare. It is naturalistic, fragmented, and often banal — characters speak in broken sentences, interruptions, and repetitions. This is a deliberate choice, and understanding it is essential for AO2 (analysis of language, form, and structure).
| Feature | Example / Description |
|---|---|
| Sentence fragments | Characters rarely speak in complete sentences |
| Overlapping speech | Mark and Jan finish each other's sentences |
| Repetition | Characters repeat words and phrases under stress |
| Interruptions | Characters talk over and cut across each other |
| Colloquial register | Everyday, informal language — slang, contractions |
| Pauses and silence | Phil's silence; deliberate pauses in group scenes |
| Lack of stage directions | Kelly provides minimal instructions for actors |
Kelly's dialogue mimics real teenage speech. This has several effects:
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