Style Analysis



Style Analysis-

Author: _____________________________________________________________

Selection: ___________________________________________________________

|Page Number |Quotation/example |Technique/aspect of style |How does the style add to the meaning? |

|Page 9 |“art follows lunch like dream |The use of figurative language—a simile |This simile works to help describe how the main |

| |follows nightmare” | |character, Melinda, really feels about her lunch. |

| | | |She compares it to a nightmare. It also helps us to|

| | | |understand how she feels about art, by comparing it |

| | | |to a dream. This helps add to the meaning by adding|

| | | |on another layer of feeling. |

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Analyzing an Author’s Style- 100 points

DAY ONE:

1. In groups of three or four, look at your old notes, handouts, or choose a chunk from the novel Speak that contains some obvious samples of her style, and analyze the stylistic choices that the author has made. Find at least 6 examples. (Look at your style information to help you!) Be sure to record any observations, even if you are unsure if your observation is really about an element of style. Think about the way that the author has used style to make a point or emphasize a detail. What figurative language does she use? What language has she manipulated? What is the tone? (look at your handout!) (24 points)

DAY TWO- IN CLASS ESSAY TEST-(anyone needing the “extra time” accommodation should see me)

2. On your own, write a style analysis of Laurie Halse Anderson using information from the chart. Write a paper that analyzes the style that the author uses.

In your essay you should:

✓ Critique (evaluate) and comment on her unique way of communicating ideas. (Be sure to use your notes, the elements of style handout, and your chart from number 1 to help you!).

✓ Be sure to discuss at length at least 3 stylistic choices made.

✓ Have a thesis statement/controlling idea that states how Anderson attempts to engage her readers, and preview the three devices you’ve chosen to analyze.

(Sample thesis statement: Anderson engages her readers through her use of figurative language, tone, and her manipulation of language in the book Speak.)

✓ Follow all of the rules for the 5 paragraph essay (see the following rubric and outline!)

An effective paper will… (80 points)

• introduce the topic of author’s style (use the definition of style to build the background in your introduction)(5)

• offer a clear thesis (5)

• Accurately and coherently incorporate textual evidence that supports the thesis (Quote Sandwich-MLA format for citations) (30)

• provide commentary or analysis that develops the ideas presented in the paper (30)

• show relationships among ideas and between paragraphs (smooth transitions) (5)

• be thoroughly edited; eliminate gaps in logic and distracting mechanical errors (as best as you can in a single period) (5)

Quote Sandwich and MLA reminders:

|Quote sandwich: |Context: On top you have a sentence that is your own thought and summary, setting the context for the quote that |

|Context |you intend to use to prove illustrate point. |

|Quote |Quote: Then you have the quote (with author tag/signal phrase—example: he said,) to back up your thought |

|Explanation |Explanation: Then on the bottom you have a sentence of your own that reflects back on the quote and explains how|

| |it makes the point you are trying to make |

|Don’t forget QUO-PAR-PUNC |Quo-par-punc= quotation marks, parenthesis, punctuation mark. |

Here is an example of a well integrated quote:

Midway into his famous “I have a Dream” speech before 100,000 rapt listeners on a scorching hot day on the Washington Mall, King answered critics, who asked why he was not satisfied with the civil rights gains at the time, by detailing a litany of unjust public behavior towards Negroes, ranging from police brutality to disenfranchisement at the voting both. “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream,” (304). It was this stunning metaphor and others like it that catapulted King into national respect and prominence.

Outline for in-class style analysis essay (80 points)

I. Intro:

Background: introduce author, introduce the story, and introduce the idea of style (use the definition I gave you) Last sentence: thesis statement

II. body

A. Discuss one element of style from your sheet (language experimentation/manipulation,dialog, figures of speech (be sure to discuss the specific figure of speech you are analyzing- hyperbole, simile, metaphor etc.) Be sure to include:

✓ an explanation of the device of style,

✓ the example,

✓ and your through analysis of Anderson’s use of that element. (Identify both the stylistic elements that the author uses and their relationship to the characters involved and/or to the main point of the story.) Answer the question: How does the style add to the meaning?

Remember you are not discussing the story- but HOW the story was written (Style: The manner of expression of a particular writer, produced by choice of words, grammatical structures, use of literary devices, and all the possible parts of language use. What makes Anderson unique/what makes her own distinctive STYLE? Think about the way that the author has used style to make a point or emphasize a detail.

B. Discuss one element of style from your sheet (dialog, pace, figures of speech)

✓ See A. for more details

C. Discuss one element of style from your sheet (dialog, pace, figures of speech)

✓ See A for more details

III. Conclusion

Restate your thesis, wrap up your analysis!

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