Aspects of a Writer's Style
Acronym: Otis Siler
Opening: how dramatic is it? What ‘hook’ is used? Does the writer hint or imply rather than clearly explain the situation, and how is this achieved?
Tone – Is it chatty, conversational, sarcastic, humourless, sad, depressing, etc.
Imagery – metaphors, similes, symbols, word pictures. Watch carefully for types of examples / anecdotes used. Visual detail? Do adjectives / verbs appeal to senses?
Syntax – how words are organised to create well formed sentences. Watch out for the order of sentences within paragraphs, and paragraph order itself. Watch out too for active and passive voice.
Language – how does the writer use words? What is the degree of formality (register)? Is it emotive, simple, complex, imaginative? Does it portray feelings or prejudice? Objective or subjective? Is the vocabulary accessible?
Irony – saying one thing but meaning another. Contrast between a statement and its implication. Suggestive in a subtle way (Tone = NB). Understatement and double meaning.
Satire – ridiculing society, institutions and / or individuals. Contrast between the way things are and the way they “should” be. Aim to amuse, entertain, expose foolishness or corruption, or the improvement of society?
Rhetorical devices – for dramatic effect, to make speech more dramatic and persuasive: rhetorical questions, repetition, epigrams, contrasts, lists (for emphasis).
Evidence: what facts and/or figures are used to support arguments? What sources are referred to and how varied are they? How convincing / substantial is the argument?
Opening: how dramatic is it? What ‘hook’ is used? Does the writer hint or imply rather than clearly explain the situation, and how is this achieved?
Tone – Is it chatty, conversational, sarcastic, humourless, sad, depressing, etc.
Imagery – metaphors, similes, symbols, word pictures. Watch carefully for types of examples / anecdotes used. Visual detail? Do adjectives / verbs appeal to senses?
Syntax – how words are organised to create well formed sentences. Watch out for the order of sentences within paragraphs, and paragraph order itself. Watch out too for active and passive voice.
Language – how does the writer use words? What is the degree of formality (register)? Is it emotive, simple, complex, imaginative? Does it portray feelings or prejudice? Objective or subjective? Is the vocabulary accessible?
Irony – saying one thing but meaning another. Contrast between a statement and its implication. Suggestive in a subtle way (Tone = NB). Understatement and double meaning.
Satire – ridiculing society, institutions and / or individuals. Contrast between the way things are and the way they “should” be. Aim to amuse, entertain, expose foolishness or corruption, or the improvement of society?
Rhetorical devices – for dramatic effect, to make speech more dramatic and persuasive: rhetorical questions, repetition, epigrams, contrasts, lists (for emphasis).
Evidence: what facts and/or figures are used to support arguments? What sources are referred to and how varied are they? How convincing / substantial is the argument?