Structure and Writing Style

Do Now Independently in your notes, answer the following questions in 1-2 sentences. How would you define structure in writing? How would you define writing style? Identify a text that you noticed the impact of writing style or structure.

Structure Structure is the author’s organizational choice. Each genre has a different structure. Non-Fiction Poems Novels Short Stories What do the structures of these genre’s look like?

Reading for Structure STEP 1: Look for the author’s techniques: Descriptions Dialogue Flashbacks Comparisons/Contradictions Inner Thinking Repetition STEP 2: Describe the purpose of that organization/technique: To set the stage To reveal To create suspense To foreshadow

Writing Style Writing style is the manner in which the author chooses to write to his audience. Each author has a unique style. The style of the author depends on the genre: Non-Fiction Poems Novels Short Stories

Reading for Writing Style STEP 1: Look for the author’s techniques: Sentence fluency (run-on or concise) Word choice (concise or descriptive) Voice (impersonal, chatty, authoritative, objective, or serious) Punctuation STEP 2: Describe the purpose of that style/technique: To set the stage To reveal To create suspense To foreshadow

“A Poison Tree” by William Blake I was angry with my friend; I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I waterd it in fears, Night & morning with my tears: And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night. Till it bore an apple bright. And my foe beheld it shine, And he knew that it was mine. And into my garden stole, When the night had veild the pole; In the morning glad I see; My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

Take a look at structure: Why do poets split their poems into multiple stanzas if the whole poem is focused on one topic? What is a stanza? Now let’s look at the poem’s organization/structure and how it influences its meaning.

I was angry with my friend; I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. “A Poison Tree” by William Blake Stanza One What is this stanza about? What are the structure and style techniques you have noticed? The author states that he is extremely angry with his friend. Once, he told the friend he was angry, his anger disappeared. Then he was angry with an enemy but did not tell him and he became enraged. Techniques: inner-thinking, repetition, flashback, voice, and word choice.

And I waterd it in fears, Night & morning with my tears: And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft deceitful wiles. “A Poison Tree” by William Blake Stanza Two What is this stanza about? What are the structure and style techniques you have noticed? The author talks about his growing anger from his “fears” and “tears.” Then his mischievous thoughts grow with “smiles” and “wiles.” Techniques: inner-thinking, figurative language, metaphor, rhyme, and word choice. How does this stanza connect with the previous? Think in terms of structure and style.

And it grew both day and night. Till it bore an apple bright. And my foe beheld it shine, And he knew that it was mine. “A Poison Tree” by William Blake Stanza Three What is this stanza about? What are the structure and style techniques you have noticed? As his anger grew, it produces a bright and shiny apple. The enemy finds the apple and realizes that it is the speakers. Techniques: inner-thinking, figurative language, voice, rhyme, and word choice. How does this stanza connect with the previous? Think in terms of structure and style.

And into my garden stole, When the night had veild the pole; In the morning glad I see; My foe outstretched beneath the tree. “A Poison Tree” by William Blake Stanza Four What is this stanza about? What are the structure and style techniques you have noticed? The enemy tries to steal the speaker’s apple, which makes him a thief. This happens at night with the “pole” as the starts are covered. He ate the apple and died. Techniques: inner-thinking, figurative language, personification, voice, rhyme, and word choice. How does this stanza connect with the previous? Think in terms of structure and style.

Now that we looked at the poem… We read the poem stanza by stanza close reading for structure and style to make meaning. With your partner, discuss and answer the following questions: Why would the author choice to structure the poem this way? Why would the author use these stylistic techniques? HINT: Look at the clues in step 2 for author’s purpose.

Now you try it… Grab a highlighter. With you partner, close read the short story “Thank You Mam” through the lens of writing style and structure. Highlight the techniques. Take notes on the purpose of these techniques and how it helps your understanding of the text. Finished early? Go back to the text and find examples of characterization. How is Roger characterized here? How is Mrs. Joe characterized here? Use specific details. Evaluate the details. Are these details techniques of writing style and structure? How are these two lenses related?

Exit Ticket Write a final analysis of the short story in 4-5 sentences. What was the purpose of this text? How did close reading for writing style and structure help you discover the purpose of the text? What was your interpretation of the text based on the lens of structure and writing style? Reference at least one phrase from the text.