Murphy and Wolkoff employ a number of literary techniques including: first person point of view using flashbacks, imagery, interior monologue with verbal irony, comedy and humor, interesting language structures including parallel structure, metonymy (a figure of speech where alternate words with similar characteristics are used for what is meant), and regionalism (the use of dialect).

The authors expertly lead us through Ace Hits the Big Time using the first person point of view. The authors appropriately use flashbacks to provide needed information to the readers. At first, readers learn of the reason for the Hobart's move to Manhattan—Barney's eighteen years of commuting. Flashbacks also provide the backdrop for most of the tough situations Ace faces. When he feels embarrassed or concerned about a situation, he flashes back to what he learned from Nevada Culhane and wonders what Nevada would do. Then he acts like...