Name_____________________________________ Period______________ Date______
AN AUTHOR’S STYLE
Style expresses _______________________ of the author and the idea and intent in his
or her mind. Every author, including ________, has his or her own style. The following
study will be helpful in your discussion and development of style.
I.
TONE​ = ______________________________________________________
Understanding tone is essential to understanding the piece of literature. To
misinterpret tone is to misinterpret _______________________. To understand tone,
a student should consider the following.
D
I
D
L
S
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A. DICTION = _______________________________________________________
Some aspects of diction include the following:
1. Repetition of words
2. Archaic words
3. Active/passive verbs
a. active example
b. passive example
4. Slang
5. Figurative language
a.
b.
6. Denotation
7. Connotation
Connotation is extremely important when considering diction. Connotation is
the emotional impact a word carries—as opposed to the denotation.
Connotation is usually ____________________ or _________________, but
sometimes __________________. (i.e. immature vs. childlike, slender vs.
skinny, good student vs. nerd)
Name_____________________________________ Period______________ Date______
B. IMAGERY = __________________________________________________
Authors use imagery to create a vicarious, mental experience for the reader.
C. DETAILS = ____________________________________________________
Often used with images, details are bits of specific information.
D. LANGUAGE = ___________________________________________________
Types of language include but are not limited to the following:
1. Jargon
2. Euphemistic
3. Bombastic
4. Informal
5. Poetic
6. Obscure or pretentious
7. Detached
E. SENTENCE STRUCTURE = ____________________________________
Examine the following:
1. Sentence length
a. Short sentences usually indicate____________________ or
______________.
b. Longer sentences usually suggest a _________________ or
______________ intent.
2. Sentence type
a. Declarative
b. Imperative
c. Interrogative
d. Exclamatory
3. Punctuation
4. Sentence patterns
Name_____________________________________ Period______________ Date______
5. Parallelism =
Ex. “​We shall fight​ on the beaches, ​we shall fight​ on the landing grounds. ​We
shall fight​ in the fields and in the streets.”
II.
POINT OF VIEW
A. FIRST PERSON
B. THIRD PERSON LIMITED
C. THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT
III.
PURPOSE / OCCASION OF THE PIECE
IV.
IN NARRATIVES (PROSE AND POETRY)
A. CHARACTERS
B. SETTING
C. PLOT
V.
IN POETRY
A. METER
B. SOUND DEVICES
1. Rhyme
2. Alliteration
3. Assonance
4. Onomatopoeia
5. Repetition
Name_____________________________________ Period______________ Date______
CONNOTATION
Diction addresses the word choices open to an author. The word he chooses to
describe a subject may have a positive, neutral, or negative connotation. A good author,
one in charge of tone in a passage, will make appropriate choices to reflect an attitude.
Describing his girlfriend with the negative word “skinny” might get a young man in
trouble. Even using the more neutral word “thin” might not win her favor as much as a
positive word “slender” or, better yet, “svelte.”
Consider the following groups of words. What are suggested by the differences in
the similar words? Which are the most flattering or positive in tone? Which words
suggest dislike or disapproval? Which seem clinical or detached in their tone? Which
words attempt to euphemize? (Euphemism is a substitute for an offensive or disagreeable
expression with one that is less offensive, i.e. “pass away” instead of “die” or the
colloquialism “to kick the bucket.”)
1. Corpulent, plump, obese, heavy-set, fleshy, fat, paunchy, burly,
overweight, bulky, roly-poly, portly, pudgy
2. Mansion, abode, dwelling, residence, house, home
3. Snooty, arrogant, conceited, vain, self-satisfied, egotistical, proud, highand-mighty
4. Aspire, wish, hope, desire, want, lust, hunger, yearn, hanker
5. Bizarre, singular, outlandish, curious, odd, unusual, extraordinary,
remarkable, noteworthy, strange
6. Spinster, old maid, bachelor girl, bachelorette, unmarried woman, maiden,
career woman
7. Titter, giggle, guffaw, laugh, roar, snicker, cackle, chortle
8. Saving, tight, miserly, frugal, economical, careful, thrifty, penny-pinching,
budget-minded, prudent
9. Shrewd, calculating, clever, sly, astute, cunning, skillful, smooth
10. Friendly, sociable, congenial, jovial, chummy, ingratiating,
companionable