What strategies does the author use to make her point?

In this text the author really stresses the points of the novel where Valerie is in trouble or is having a hard time. Like throughout the time in the hospital where everyone was against her and it seemed like all Valerie had was herself. She didn't have the guy that was always there for her or the only guy that could make her happy. Her life seemed to revolve around Nick and whithout him she was lost. Sitting in the hospital getting grilled with questions and just waking up from the anesthesia, it was hard for her to come to and remember all that happened earlier. Her parents didn't belive her, she lost her friends that she had, and even her brother who seemed to care and tried to be on her side eventually left and she was all alone. Valerie shut everyone off from her life until Jessica Campbell came into her life. Valerie was having a hard time understanding that Jessica was for real about trying to be her friend. She needed someone to be on her side and wanted to believe Jessica was but she couldn't completely. Finally she caved in and decided to give her a chance and became friends with her and went to a party with her. Her older brother criticized her, threatened her and terrorized her. She was scared for her life and just left and didn't want anyone in her life but herself. She couldn't believe anyone but herself. She was having a hard time letting go and finally did after visiting Nick's grave. She moved on and continued on with her life.