Style AnalysisStyle AnalysisProseProse

Elements to Consider for AnalysisElements to Consider for Analysis

DICTIONDICTION:: An Author’s Word Choice An Author’s Word Choice

Look for the literal meaning=denotationLook for the literal meaning=denotationLook for the implied meaning=connotationLook for the implied meaning=connotation

EX: Fat, Plump, ObeseEX: Fat, Plump, Obese

DETAILDETAIL: Concrete words or phrases that : Concrete words or phrases that include information perceived through the include information perceived through the five sensesfive sensesAlso referred to as IMAGERYAlso referred to as IMAGERYUsually much longer than examples of dictionUsually much longer than examples of diction

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES: kneeling on the island’s winter killed grasskneeling on the island’s winter killed grassThe dead frog was shrinking before me like a The dead frog was shrinking before me like a

deflating water balloon.deflating water balloon.

TONETONE: The writer’s or speaker’s attitude : The writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subject or audience.toward the subject or audience.

It is especially important to look for shifts in It is especially important to look for shifts in tone.tone.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity

with a joyous glow on her face as she told with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her college acceptance.about her college acceptance.

TONE: ecstaticTONE: ecstatic

Sarah opened her door hastily, mumbling Sarah opened her door hastily, mumbling to herself because she was missing her to herself because she was missing her favorite blouse and she knew her sister favorite blouse and she knew her sister was the culprit.was the culprit.TONE: IrritatedTONE: Irritated

The child huddled in the corner, clutching The child huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking her tattered blanket and shaking uncontrollably as she feverishly searched uncontrollably as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers.the room for the unknown dangers.TONE: FrightenedTONE: Frightened

POINT OF VIEWPOINT OF VIEW: The way in which an : The way in which an author chooses to present an essay, story, author chooses to present an essay, story, or other piece of writing.or other piece of writing.

11stst Person Person: A character in the story is relating : A character in the story is relating the story. Look for pronouns I, me, my, oursthe story. Look for pronouns I, me, my, ours

22ndnd Person Person: Not very common, but it appears : Not very common, but it appears when a speaker constantly uses the word when a speaker constantly uses the word “YOU.”“YOU.”

33rdrd Person Person: An outside narrator is relating the : An outside narrator is relating the events of the story through one or several events of the story through one or several characters vantage point. Look for pronouns characters vantage point. Look for pronouns he, she, it, they, them, etc.he, she, it, they, them, etc.

It is very important to look for shifts It is very important to look for shifts of point-of-view. of point-of-view.

ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION: The structure or : The structure or framework of a story or piece of literature.framework of a story or piece of literature.

LOOK FORLOOK FOR::Similarities and differences of the beginning Similarities and differences of the beginning

and the end of the passage.and the end of the passage.

The sequence of eventsThe sequence of events

A focus or emphasis on any one part that A focus or emphasis on any one part that makes it stand outmakes it stand out

LITERARY DEVICESLITERARY DEVICES: Refer to your : Refer to your poetry review packet for a list.poetry review packet for a list.

KEY DEVICES TO LOOK FOR:KEY DEVICES TO LOOK FOR:Metaphor/SimileMetaphor/SimilePersonificationPersonificationIronyIronySarcasmSarcasmParadoxParadoxAmbiguityAmbiguityHyperboleHyperbole

SYNTAXSYNTAX: Basically this is sentence : Basically this is sentence structure or arrangement of words.structure or arrangement of words.

LOOK FORLOOK FOR : :Changes in sentence length which may be done Changes in sentence length which may be done

for emphasis of an ideafor emphasis of an ideaPolysyndeton: items in a series linked together Polysyndeton: items in a series linked together

with conjunctions. with conjunctions.

EX: I was very mad EX: I was very mad andand sad sad andand shocked byshocked by

my brother remarks about my my brother remarks about my clothing.clothing.

Asyndeton: Items in series linked only with Asyndeton: Items in series linked only with commas and NO conjunctions. commas and NO conjunctions.

EX: I came, I saw, I conquered.EX: I came, I saw, I conquered.

WRITING THE ESSAYWRITING THE ESSAY

Be sure to embed quotes containing the Be sure to embed quotes containing the examples you are analyzing if possible.examples you are analyzing if possible.

Do not merely summarize. You must Do not merely summarize. You must analyze.analyze.

Be sure to use transitions when moving Be sure to use transitions when moving from point to point or paragraph to from point to point or paragraph to paragraph.paragraph.

When you find examples of these When you find examples of these elements, describe them and then analyze elements, describe them and then analyze how they contribute meaning to the how they contribute meaning to the passage. passage.

Don’t think of the passage in terms of a Don’t think of the passage in terms of a treasure hunt in which you have to find all treasure hunt in which you have to find all the literary devices possible.the literary devices possible.

Instead, think of the tone and meaning of Instead, think of the tone and meaning of the passage and ask yourself how these the passage and ask yourself how these elements help to bring out the tones and elements help to bring out the tones and meaning.meaning.

If you have forgotten the name of If you have forgotten the name of a literary device you want to a literary device you want to discuss, don’t worry. Talk about discuss, don’t worry. Talk about what the author does and how it what the author does and how it affects the passage. You can affects the passage. You can make a 9 on an essay without make a 9 on an essay without using a lot of literary terminology.using a lot of literary terminology.

Usually you only have to analyze Usually you only have to analyze one passage, but you must pay one passage, but you must pay particular attention to the particular attention to the directions. The prompt usually directions. The prompt usually has something particular it is has something particular it is looking for like how the style looking for like how the style creates a comic effect or how the creates a comic effect or how the author depicts characters and author depicts characters and their relationships.their relationships.