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, hip-hop) writing style can be discussed through a few key factors:

• Diction• Syntax• Tone• Use of Figurative Language

DictionDiction 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 Purpose Example

Sophisticated Highly educated or refined

To impress The meal was exquisite

Formal Strangers, notables; professional

To show good manners

My stomach is full

Informal Friends and Colleagues

To share feelings

My belly is stuffed with food

Colloquial Family and close friends

To share feelings without pretense

That there finger lickin’ grub stuffed my gut.

Slang Close friends To be cool and “in”

That belly-buster filled me up.

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 Examples of syntax variations for emphasis Inversion Carried, she was, by others in her study group. The verb of the sentence

is placed before the subject. Juxtaposition 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.

Repetition 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.

Rhetorical Question 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.

Parallel Structure 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.

Punctuation 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 languageWhen 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 non-human 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(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 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(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?)

Mostly formalInformal “bratty”

Short, simple Mix of literal and figurativeSimiles: “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

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(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 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(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?)

Formal Long, simple Figurative languageSensation of butterflies in stomach conveys anticipation

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(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 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(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?)

Informal, slang Mix of long and short, simple

Literal 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?)

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?)

Informal Short, simple Literal Negative/neutral: worried, questioning, nervous, anxious