Style in Writing
Just like styles of clothing, hair, music, etc. represent differences in the people who create them, different styles of writing feature aspects of the writer s personality, background, preferences, strengths, and other defining elements.
And just like we can talk about these other types of style using specific language (rap: old school, gangsta, hiphop) writing style can be discussed through a few key factors: Diction Syntax Tone Use of Figurative Language
Diction Diction refers to a writer's choice of words. (think diction-ary) Notice the difference in diction: The bear growled as he approached our tent. The beast's vicious snarl thundered through our tent. I regret to inform you that you are incorrect. You re wrong! *We alter our diction all the time depending on our current situation. Different communication styles are necessary at different times. We would not address a stranger in the same way as a good friend, and we would not address a boss in that same way as a child.* http://www.literarydevices.com/diction/
Type of Diction Audience Sophisticated Highly educated or To impress refined Formal Strangers, notables; professional Friends and Colleagues Family and close friends To show good My stomach is full manners Close friends To be cool and That belly-buster filled in me up. Informal Colloquial Slang Purpose To share feelings To share feelings without pretense Example The meal was exquisite My belly is stuffed with food That there finger lickin grub stuffed my gut.
Syntax Syntax refers to the way a writer arranges his/her words in a sentence. Syntax involves three main elements: sentence length, sentence structure, and sentence pattern. Notice the difference in syntax: Anticipating that my teacher would test us on the material, I read my text book carefully. I read my text book carefully, knowing that my teacher would test us on the material. Carefully I read my text book--i knew that my teacher would test us on the material. http://www.literarydevices.com/syntax/
Read aloud "This sentence has 5 words" by Gary Provost This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals-sounds that say listen to this, it is important. http://www.literarydevices.com/syntax/
Syntax variations Inversion Juxtaposition Repetition Rhetorical Question Parallel Structure Punctuation Examples of syntax variations for emphasis Carried, she was, by others in her study group. The verb of the sentence is placed before the subject. Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. The italicized words are opposite in meaning giving a sudden contrast of ideas that signals something is wrong. I have a dream that all men are equal; I have a dream that my sons can aspire to the highest positions; I have a dream is a clause that is repeated 17 times in the famous Martin Luther King speech for dramatic effect. Shall we not rise up and be counted, make our cause be known? If we do not, we are fool-hardy in that choice. A question posed, and then answered. The function is to prod the listener to thought. Marlene enjoyed the outdoor sports of skiing, hiking and riding horses, but much preferred the indoor sport of ice-skating. Items or ideas in a series must appear in the same grammatical form. I heard a fly buzz when I died He landed Where I could not see to see. Here, the dash is used to signal an extended pause for dramatic effect.
Tone Tone refers to the writer s attitude toward the reader and/or subject of writing. Notice the difference in tone: The cuddly kitten nestled down on my lap the moment I sat down on the couch. That mangy furball flopped down on my lap before I could even sit down.
Figurative Language Figurative language refers to any word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of something else Examples= metaphor, simile, personification, symbolism
Analyzing figurative language When closely reading text, look for these literary devices and explain how they contribute to meaning. Some possible responses could include: "The author uses personification to help the reader imagine what it was like in the forest." "The metaphor 'as slow as a turtle' in line three helps the reader understand why Devin was so upset with his brother. It was because he was moving to slow."
How Could You Use Figurative Language to Describe the Picture Below? Metaphor? (comparing 2 things without using like/as) Simile? (comparing 2 things using like/as) Personification? (giving nonhuman objects human qualities) Symbolism? (where a person, place, thing, or event stands for something else)
Practice analyzing writer s style Passage 1: Read the passage and fill out a chart like below: I hate school. Hate, hate, hate school. Going to school is like walking across hot coals. It is worse than being stuck in the house all day with your bratty little sisters. It is as bad as having a sack of hammers dropped on both of your feet. I hate school. Diction Syntax Language (What words choice does the writer make? Formal, informal, slang?) (Are the sentences long, short, simple, complex?) (Does the writer use literal or figurative language? Imagery, similes, metaphors, personification? Tone (What is the writer s attitude toward the subject?)
Practice analyzing writer s style Passage 1: possible responses Read the passage and fill out a chart like below: I hate school. Hate, hate, hate school. Going to school is like walking across hot coals. It is worse than being stuck in the house all day with your bratty little sisters. It is as bad as having a sack of hammers dropped on both of your feet. I hate school. Diction Syntax Language (What words choice does the writer make? Formal, informal, slang?) (Are the sentences long, short, simple, complex?) (Does the writer use literal or figurative language? Imagery, similes, metaphors, personification? Mostly formal Informal bratty Short, simple Mix of literal and figurative Similes: going to school is like walking across hot coals, and It is as bad as having a sack of hammers dropped on both of your feet emphasize the pain the writer feels Tone (What is the writer s attitude toward the subject?) Negative: agitated, annoyed, angry
Practice analyzing writer s style Passage 2: Read the passage and fill out a chart like below: I look forward to the first day of the school year all summer. While vacation is enjoyable and sleeping in is heavenly, neither can compare to the butterflies in my stomach on the first day of school. It is the start of shaping the minds of the future and molding students into successful young people. Diction Syntax Language (What words choice does the writer make? Formal, informal, slang?) (Are the sentences long, short, simple, complex?) (Does the writer use literal or figurative language? Imagery, similes, metaphors, personification? Tone (What is the writer s attitude toward the subject?)
Practice analyzing writer s style Passage 2: possible responses Read the passage and fill out a chart like below: I look forward to the first day of the school year all summer. While vacation is enjoyable and sleeping in is heavenly, neither can compare to the butterflies in my stomach on the first day of school. It is the start of shaping the minds of the future and molding students into successful young people. Diction Syntax Language (What words choice does the writer make? Formal, informal, slang?) (Are the sentences long, short, simple, complex?) (Does the writer use literal or figurative language? Imagery, similes, metaphors, personification? Formal Long, simple Figurative language Sensation of butterflies in stomach conveys anticipation Tone (What is the writer s attitude toward the subject?) Positive: eager, excited
Practice analyzing writer s style Passage 3: Read the passage and fill out a chart like below: OMG y all, I cannot wait til the first day of school! It is gonna be poppin. I got all my outfits picked out for that whole first week. And no one, I mean no one, is gonna look as fly as me. I been shopping all summer so I can strut my stuff and show everybody who really runs this place. Diction Syntax Language (What words choice does the writer make? Formal, informal, slang?) (Are the sentences long, short, simple, complex?) (Does the writer use literal or figurative language? Imagery, similes, metaphors, personification? Tone (What is the writer s attitude toward the subject?)
Practice analyzing writer s style Passage 3: possible responses Read the passage and fill out a chart like below: OMG y all, I cannot wait til the first day of school! It is gonna be poppin. I got all my outfits picked out for that whole first week. And no one, I mean no one, is gonna look as fly as me. I been shopping all summer so I can strut my stuff and show everybody who really runs this place. Diction Syntax Language (What words choice does the writer make? Formal, informal, slang?) (Are the sentences long, short, simple, complex?) (Does the writer use literal or figurative language? Imagery, similes, metaphors, personification? Informal, slang Mix of long and short, simple Literal Tone (What is the writer s attitude toward the subject?) Positive: excited, enthusiastic, energetic
Practice analyzing writer s style Passage 4: Read the passage and fill out a chart like below: My mommy told me that today I will go to a place called school. I will be there all day and I won t be able to see her. She will take me there, but I will ride a yellow bus home. She says I will like it, but I m not so sure. What if the other kids won t share their toys with me? What if I have to go to the bathroom, but can t find it? And what is I don t like what they are having for lunch? Diction (What words choice does the writer make? Formal, informal, slang?) Syntax (Are the sentences long, short, simple, complex?) Language (Does the writer use literal or figurative language? Imagery, similes, metaphors, personification? Tone (What is the writer s attitude toward the subject?)
Practice analyzing writer s style Passage 4: possible responses Read the passage and fill out a chart like below: My mommy told me that today I will go to a place called school. I will be there all day and I won t be able to see her. She will take me there, but I will ride a yellow bus home. She says I will like it, but I m not so sure. What if the other kids won t share their toys with me? What if I have to go to the bathroom, but can t find it? And what is I don t like what they are having for lunch? Diction (What words choice does the writer make? Formal, informal, slang?) Informal Syntax (Are the sentences long, short, simple, complex?) Short, simple Language (Does the writer use literal or figurative language? Imagery, similes, metaphors, personification? Literal Tone (What is the writer s attitude toward the subject?) Negative/neutral: worried, questioning, nervous, anxious