The novel Soldier Boy, written by Anthony Hill, involves the audience in the biographical story of the youngest ever ANZAC, Jim Martin. It also informs us, the audience, about the conditions and events that were a part of Jim Martin's short life, and the Gallipoli campaign. Hill uses onomatopoeia to present to us the realness of the conditions and events of the story and to also engage us in the dangers of Gallipoli. Figurative language is also used in the story to give us a clearer picture of Jim Martin and other characters as well as a clearer picture of the surroundings and conditions of Gallipoli. Short sharp sentences are another technique used by Hill in the story. These are used to make the reader pause for a few seconds then keep reading, just as if someone had stopped talking but then had added on after thoughts. Short sharp sentences also had emphasis to some words that are important. The use of tone throughout the novel helps to convey many feelings of anger, excitement, sorrow, pride and authority shown and felt by Jim and many of his soldier mates that fought along side him at Gallipoli. .
Anthony Hill has used onomatopoeia to help involve the audience in the events of the Gallipoli campaign. Hill's use of the words " KKRRUMPPP BOOM" and "POW POW" tell us that there was always the surprise of a bomb going off without warning and that you were never safe from the quick and dangerous fire of a snipers rifle. The sentence "the tap-tap-tap of people digging" shows that that work done by the soldiers was tough and that there was always plenty of it to be done, whether it be digging new trench lines or digging underground passages to surprise the enemy. .
Hill involves us in the events of Gallipoli through the use of onomatopoeia. This lets us feel the realism of the story and also makes us aware of the many dangers that threatened many lives at Gallipoli.
Figurative language has been used throughout the story.