Analysis of an Author’s Style Activity
Name(s):
Directions: Closely read and analyze each of the items provided to you by the author you chose. Take some
time to discuss what you notice about the author’s overall style. Complete the chart below with elements and
examples (EXACT WORDS from the text) that best demonstrate key elements of that author’s style.
Author Choices and Examples of their work: J. R. R. Tolkien, Roald Dahl, Mark Twain, Lewis Carroll, Neil
Gaiman, J. K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, John Green, S. E. Hinton
Author #1:
Item/Question
Explanation
Example
Narrator’s Point of View: What
point of view does this author
typically use?
Word Choice:
What type of language does this
author favor? Complex or simple?
Descriptive or to the point?
Dahl uses complex and
descriptive word choice.
“A gigantic holy terror, a
fierce tyrannical monster”
Figures of Speech:
What figurative language does the
author use?
Dahl uses many similes
and metaphors.
“She was…a fierce
tyrannical monster”
“Heat radiating from her as
from a red-hot rod of
metal”
Pace and Structure:
How would you describe the
author’s pace? How would you
describe the structure of the work?
Use of Dialogue:
Does the author use dialogue?
What do you notice about it?
Experimental Language:
Does the author use punctuation,
repetition, or structure in a
distinctive way?
Topics or Themes:
Are there certain topics or themes
this author seems to like focusing
on in his/her writing?
Tone (author’s attitude toward
the subject):
What overall tone does the author
seem to be conveying in most
works?
Mood (feeling the author creates
for the reader):
How would you describe the mood
the author creates?
Most Distinctive Characteristic:
Choose the most outstanding
characteristic of the author’s work
and provide another explanation
and example.
(20 points)
Symbolic Author Drawing:
Now use the information you have gained about your chosen author to complete your group’s drawing. In your
drawing, you will demonstrate your author’s style symbolically through the clothes you give them, accessories,
patterns, etc. Include at least 6 items in the drawing to represent a piece of the author’s style. Each should be
labeled with a brief explanation. The teacher will provide you a sheet on which to complete this drawing. (12
points)
EXAMPLE: