1. Style Analysis Prose

2. Elements to Consider for Analysis DICTION: An Author’s Word Choice DICTION: An Author’s Word Choice Look for the literal meaning=denotation Look for the literal meaning=denotation Look for the implied meaning=connotation Look for the implied meaning=connotation EX: Fat, Plump, Obese EX: Fat, Plump, Obese

3. DETAIL : Concrete words or phrases that include information perceived through the five senses DETAIL : Concrete words or phrases that include information perceived through the five senses Also referred to as IMAGERY Also referred to as IMAGERY Usually much longer than examples of diction Usually much longer than examples of diction EXAMPLES: EXAMPLES: kneeling on the island’s winter killed grass kneeling on the island’s winter killed grass The dead frog was shrinking before me like a deflating water balloon. The dead frog was shrinking before me like a deflating water balloon.

4. TONE : The writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subject or audience. TONE : The writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subject or audience. It is especially important to look for shifts in tone. It is especially important to look for shifts in tone. EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE: Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her college acceptance. Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her college acceptance. TONE: ecstatic TONE: ecstatic

5. Sarah opened her door hastily, mumbling to herself because she was missing her favorite blouse and she knew her sister was the culprit. Sarah opened her door hastily, mumbling to herself because she was missing her favorite blouse and she knew her sister was the culprit. TONE: Irritated TONE: Irritated The child huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking uncontrollably as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers. The child huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking uncontrollably as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers. TONE: Frightened TONE: Frightened

6. POINT OF VIEW: The way in which an author chooses to present an essay, story, or other piece of writing. POINT OF VIEW: The way in which an author chooses to present an essay, story, or other piece of writing. 1 st Person: A character in the story is relating the story. Look for pronouns I, me, my, ours 1 st Person: A character in the story is relating the story. Look for pronouns I, me, my, ours 2 nd Person: Not very common, but it appears when a speaker constantly uses the word “YOU.” 2 nd Person: Not very common, but it appears when a speaker constantly uses the word “YOU.”

7. 3 rd Person: An outside narrator is relating the events of the story through one or several characters vantage point. Look for pronouns he, she, it, they, them, etc. 3 rd Person: An outside narrator is relating the events of the story through one or several characters vantage point. Look for pronouns he, she, it, they, them, etc. It is very important to look for shifts of point-of-view.

8. ORGANIZATION: The structure or framework of a story or piece of literature. ORGANIZATION: The structure or framework of a story or piece of literature. LOOK FOR: LOOK FOR: Similarities and differences of the beginning and the end of the passage. Similarities and differences of the beginning and the end of the passage. The sequence of events The sequence of events A focus or emphasis on any one part that makes it stand out A focus or emphasis on any one part that makes it stand out

9. LITERARY DEVICES: Refer to your poetry review packet for a list. LITERARY DEVICES: Refer to your poetry review packet for a list. KEY DEVICES TO LOOK FOR: KEY DEVICES TO LOOK FOR: Metaphor/Simile Metaphor/Simile Personification Personification Irony Irony Sarcasm Sarcasm Paradox Paradox Ambiguity Ambiguity Hyperbole Hyperbole

10. SYNTAX: Basically this is sentence structure or arrangement of words. SYNTAX: Basically this is sentence structure or arrangement of words. LOOK FOR : LOOK FOR : Changes in sentence length which may be done for emphasis of an idea Changes in sentence length which may be done for emphasis of an idea Polysyndeton: items in a series linked together with conjunctions. Polysyndeton: items in a series linked together with conjunctions. EX: I was very mad and sad and shocked by my brother remarks about my clothing. Asyndeton: Items in series linked only with commas and NO conjunctions. Asyndeton: Items in series linked only with commas and NO conjunctions. EX: I came, I saw, I conquered.

11. WRITING THE ESSAY Be sure to embed quotes containing the examples you are analyzing if possible. Be sure to embed quotes containing the examples you are analyzing if possible. Do not merely summarize. You must analyze. Do not merely summarize. You must analyze. Be sure to use transitions when moving from point to point or paragraph to paragraph. Be sure to use transitions when moving from point to point or paragraph to paragraph.

12. When you find examples of these elements, describe them and then analyze how they contribute meaning to the passage. When you find examples of these elements, describe them and then analyze how they contribute meaning to the passage. Don’t think of the passage in terms of a treasure hunt in which you have to find all the literary devices possible. Don’t think of the passage in terms of a treasure hunt in which you have to find all the literary devices possible. Instead, think of the tone and meaning of the passage and ask yourself how these elements help to bring out the tones and meaning. Instead, think of the tone and meaning of the passage and ask yourself how these elements help to bring out the tones and meaning.

13. If you have forgotten the name of a literary device you want to discuss, don’t worry. Talk about what the author does and how it affects the passage. You can make a 9 on an essay without using a lot of literary terminology. If you have forgotten the name of a literary device you want to discuss, don’t worry. Talk about what the author does and how it affects the passage. You can make a 9 on an essay without using a lot of literary terminology.

14. Usually you only have to analyze one passage, but you must pay particular attention to the directions. The prompt usually has something particular it is looking for like how the style creates a comic effect or how the author depicts characters and their relationships. Usually you only have to analyze one passage, but you must pay particular attention to the directions. The prompt usually has something particular it is looking for like how the style creates a comic effect or how the author depicts characters and their relationships.