Literary Analysis: Author’s Style

Literary Analysis: Author’s Style

By Olympiea Summers

Literary Analysis: Author’s Style

An author’s style is his or her special way of using words. It is made up of these elements:

​1. Diction: the words an author chooses.

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For example, a writer might call a musician “an awesome guitarist.” The word awesome helps create an informal style. Writing in a formal style, the writer might call the same musician “a gifted guitarist.”

​2. Syntax: the flow of sentences.

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Some writers write in short bursts: “That was that. The test was over. I had done my best.” Others write long, flowing sentences: “Looking back on that long, hard test, I found a reason to be happy: I had done mybest.”

​3. Tone: the author’s attitude toward the readers or the topic.

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For example, a writer might write an article to help beginning painters. Because the writer wants to encourage readers, the writer might use a cheerful, gentle style.

Read the paragraph.

​I’m a plain, simple guy. I don’t ask for much. I do have one rule, though. If you don't show respect when you talk to me, I stop listening. Period, the end. Nick should have remembered my rule. Poor guy, he really should have. He forgot, though. He showed me disrespect, and that’s when the trouble started.

Multiple Choice

I’m a plain, simple guy. I don’t ask for much. I do have one rule, though. If you don't show respect when you talk to me, I stop listening. Period, the end. Nick should have remembered my rule. Poor guy, he really should have. He forgot, though. He showed me disrespect, and that’s when the trouble started.

What type of syntax does this writer use?

• short, simple sentences

• long, complicated sentences

• different types of sentences

• ong but simple sentences

Multiple Choice

I’m a plain, simple guy. I don’t ask for much. I do have one rule, though. If you don't show respect when you talk to me, I stop listening. Period, the end. Nick should have remembered my rule. Poor guy, he really should have. He forgot, though. He showed me disrespect, and that’s when the trouble started.

What does this syntax add to the style?

• a beautiful flow

• a poetic sound

• the sound of a tough guy talking

• smooth connections between ideas

Multiple Choice

I’m a plain, simple guy. I don’t ask for much. I do have one rule, though. If you don't show respect when you talk to me, I stop listening. Period, the end. Nick should have remembered my rule. Poor guy, he really should have. He forgot, though. He showed me disrespect, and that’s when the trouble started.

What type of words does the author’s diction feature?

• many difficult words

• mainly simple words

• many colorful, lively words

• many slang words

Multiple Choice

I’m a plain, simple guy. I don’t ask for much. I do have one rule, though. If you don't show respect when you talk to me, I stop listening. Period, the end. Nick should have remembered my rule. Poor guy, he really should have. He forgot, though. He showed me disrespect, and that’s when the trouble started.

What tone does the phrase poor guy add to the paragraph?

• a tone of kindness

• a tone of pity or regret

• a tone of anger or annoyance

• a tone of generosity

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of an author’s style?

• his or her special way of using words

• a story the author tells

• the type of nouns the author uses

• a formal way of using language

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between diction and syntax?

• Diction has to do with sentences, and syntax has to do with word choice.

• Syntax has to do with sentences, and diction has to do with word choice.

• Diction has to do with style, but syntax does not.

• Syntax has to do with style, but diction does not.

​Read the following two paragraphs. Then, answer the questions.

​1 What a weekend! Boy, am I beat! First, we went to the amusement park. As usual,the main amusement was Uncle Herman. He kept us laughing all the way there with hissilly hip-hop don’t-stop-till-you-drop rapping. Then, we went to see the new MagnetMan movie. I can’t help it—I think Magnet Man rules!

​Read the following two paragraphs. Then, answer the questions.

​2 Some weekends are dull, and some are filled with excitement. Last Saturday, I discovered a perfect recipe for weekend amusement: Fill the day with activity. Of course, the presence of Uncle Herman, who has his own unique brand of comedy, added greatly to the weekend’s pleasures. The latest chapter in the adventures of magnet Man rounded off the day’s activities. Magnet Man combines extraordinary powers with human qualities, and I find I am fascinated by his character.

Multiple Choice

Which paragraph is written in an informal or casual style?

• 1

• 2

Fill in the Blanks

Give a word or phrase that is an example of this informal style.

Fill in the Blanks

Give a more formal word or phrase from the other paragraph.

Fill in the Blanks

What word would you use to describe the writer’s tone, or attitude towardsthe topic, in the first paragraph?

Multiple Choice

Which paragraph uses longer sentences?

• 1

• 2