Analyzing Style
What is Style?
In literature style is the literary element that describes the way in which the author uses words
to create meaning in his/her work. In literature, style is comprised of many devices such as
diction (word choice), sentence structure and arrangement (syntax), figurative language,
imagery, symbolism, point of view or method of narration, and tone, but is not limited to these.
All of these stylistic elements work together to establish mood, images and create meaning in
the text. Thus the style that an author uses influences how the reader interprets the piece of
writing.
Discuss at least 4 – 6 elements of style listed below.
Select 2 -3 excerpts from the beginning, middle and end of the novel based on your summer
reading packages (cite the page) that illustrates one of the elements of the author’s style.
1.
Diction
2. Figurative
Language
3. Point of
View
4. Syntax
4. Dialogue
5. Tone
6. Imagery
7. *Character
Is the language formal or informal? Is there any use of slang, colloquial language or jargon? What effect
is the author trying to achieve? Are there any words that stand out to you? Why? What are the
denotations of these words? What are the connotations of these words? Why do you think the writer
uses a particular word? This will be unique to what is occurring in the text at the moment. How does
the writer’s style choice have an impact on your understanding / the meaning of the text?
Are there any similes, metaphors, symbols, personification, hyperboles etc. that appear to have
significance to the novel’s meaning? What is the author trying to say by using that particular figurative
language device? What is the effect he/she is creating with his/her choice of figurative language? How
does the writer’s choice of (figurative) language impact your understanding of meaning?
Is the story told from the first, second, third (limited or omniscient) p of v? Who is the narrator? Why
does the author use this point of view to tell the story? How does this impact the interpretation of the
text? Consider theme, characters etc.
What types of sentences (simple, compound, complex) does the author use? What are the sentence
patterns? (ex. Declarative, Imperative, Interrogative, Exclamatory, juxtaposition, parallelism etc.) How
are the sentences arranged ? How does the writer connect words, phrases, and clauses? Does the
author ask questions? Do the types of sentences change at any point? What does this reveal about the
meaning?
How often is dialogue used in the story? Is the reader provided with whole conversations or just
fragments? Does the conversation appear natural or contrived? What does the conversation reveal
about the character who is speaking? Is there a specific type of dialogue that is unique to a character/
place? How does the dialogue impact on your understanding of the text?
What is the author’s attitude toward the topic or subject discussed in the excerpt? What examples
illustrate the author’s tone or attitude toward the events, characters or themes? How does the tone
impact your understanding of the meaning of the text? What words best describe the author’s tone?
What sensory details are provided in the language? (colour, scents, sounds, tastes, textures) What is
the author trying to convey or achieve by using this imagery? Are the images part of a larger pattern or
structure within the text? (ex. does it connect to one of the major themes)? Is there a connection
between imagery and mood, tone, plot or characters?
How does the author introduce characters? Do they evolve throughout the story and if so, how? What
Is their function in the story? Their motivation? Flaws? How does the author’s style choice impact your
Understanding of the meaning of the text and character?