How Do You Define a Writer’s Style?

1. How Do You Define a Writer’s Style? Feature Menu Style Figurative Language Literary Devices Your Turn

2. Style When you hear the word style, you may think of the way your friends dress . . . or the way a baseball player swings a bat. A person’s style is created by how he or she does something—whether it’s selecting clothes or playing a sport.

3. short, conversational sentences realistic dialogue comical main characters lighthearted tone Style To determine a writer’s style, look at the way he or she uses language. Every writer has a style, although some styles are easier to recognize than others.

4. Style Most writers do not try to invent new styles. Rather, a writer’s style comes from the choices he or she makes putting words on a page. Should I use a long word or a short one? Do I want a simple sentence or a long, complex sentence? The decisions a writer makes determine his or her style. [End of Section]

5. Figurative Language Writers often use figurative language—language based on some sort of comparison that is not literally true. His eyes sparkled like . . . diamonds. Figurative language can be an important part of a writer’s style.

6. Figurative Language Here are some figures of speech that you will find in your reading: compare unlike things directly, without using a specific word of comparison. Metaphors compare two unlike things using a word of comparison, such as like, than, as, or resembles. Similes speaks of a nonhuman or inanimate thing as if it had human or lifelike qualities. Personification

7. Figurative Language Similes Similes compare two unlike objects using a word of comparison, such as like,than, as, or resembles. Youssefshot up like a rocketas he went for the basket. Describe how Youssef made his shot.

8. Figurative Language Metaphors Metaphors compare unlike things directly, without using a specific word of comparison. Hannah’s eyes are starsbrightening the room. Change this metaphor into a simile.

9. Figurative Language Personification Personificationspeaks of a nonhuman or nonliving thing as if it had human or lifelike qualities. The moonlight danced along the water. How does personification help the moonlight come alive?

10. Figurative Language Idioms Idiomsare expressions that mean something different from the literal meanings of the words. The actor hid nothing from her fans. Her life, you might say, was an open book. How does the idiom express the idea that nothing is hidden?

11. Figurative Language Quick Check Identify the similes, metaphor, and personification. Christian was upset when his mother told him his room smelled like an old running shoe. “How can you say that, Mom?” he asked, his face a question mark. “I’m as neat as a tack.” “Maybe the room is neat, but your laundry bag is overflowing with sweaty clothes,” replied his mom. “I think the bag will walk out of here on its own pretty soon.” [End of Section]

12. Literary Devices Another way to determine an author’s style is to examine his or her use of literary devices. A literary device is a technique writers use to produce a certain effect. • Examples of literary devices include • imagery, • irony, • symbolism, and • dialect.

13. Literary Devices Imagery Language that creates word pictures and appeals to our senses is called imagery. • Images make us feel as if we are • seeing, • hearing, • touching, • tasting, or • smelling • what the writer describes.

14. Literary Devices Imagery Imagery helps create word pictures as you read. The children laughed as they ran along the beach, feet pounding the soft sand. The salty ocean breeze cooled their faces.

15. Literary Devices Irony Another aspect of a writer’s style isirony—what happens when reality contradicts what we expect. For example, we expect a tiger to be a dangerous beast stalking its prey . . . not a pet relaxing in a monk’s lap.

16. dramatic irony verbal irony situational irony Literary Devices Irony There are three types of irony:

17. Literary Devices Irony Verbal irony occurs when we say one thing but mean something else. “I can’t wait to get to the cafeteria for my favorite lunch—hot dogs and beans,” Laura said sarcastically. Here, Laura means the opposite of what she says.

18. Literary Devices Irony With situational irony, a situation turns out to be the opposite of what we would expect. For example, we expect to find a kitten peering at fish in a fishbowl. We certainly don’t expect to find that kitten in the bowl!

19. Literary Devices Irony Dramatic irony occurs when we know something that a character does not know. It’s really quiet around here today. Jolene has no idea that her brothers are sneaking up to attack her with pillows, but we do know.

20. Poison! Pirates! Toxic smoke! Literary Devices Symbolism A symbol is a person, place, or event that has meaning but also stands for something else. For example, a skull and crossbones represent part of the human skeleton. As a symbol . . . a skull and crossbones represents danger.

21. Literary Devices Symbolism Read the passage. Then, answer the questions. Mr. Badu created many jobs and donated millions of dollars to local nonprofit organizations. To honor his contributions, Mayor Cohen presented him with the keys to the city. Mr. Badu created many jobs and donated millions of dollars to local nonprofit organizations. To honor his contributions, Mayor Cohen presented him with the keys to the city. Identify the symbol. What do the keys symbolize? The keys to the city don’t actually unlock anything. Instead, they symbolize the city’s appreciation for Mr. Badu’s achievements.

22. ? What does this character look like? Literary Devices Dialect Dialect is a way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular place or group of people. Y’all come on back to my ranch and watch me lasso that steer. Writers sometimes use dialect to provide clues about the people and settings in stories, bringing characters and places to life.

23. Literary Devices Dialect Did you guess that the character is a friendly cowboy? Y’all come on back to my ranch and watch me lasso that steer. Dialect can make characters seem more real.

24. Literary Devices Quick Check “Yeah?” grumbled the police officer behind the desk. “I’m . . . ah . . . here to . . . ah . . . pick up my brother, Joshua Taylor,” the woman said nervously. The officer noticed her jumpy behavior. She looks familiar, he thought. Wait a minute—that’s Bonnie Taylor! She’s on our Most Wanted list. He smiled. “Well, young lady, you’ll be joining your brother, but you won’t be leaving. You’re under arrest.” Which type of irony does this passage contain?

25. Literary Devices Quick Check Identify the imagery, dialect, and symbols. The boat slowed as it neared the shore. Overhead, the full moon shone like a spot-light, sending beams dancing along the ripples. “Blimey, ’ere we are at last,” growled Captain Haines. “Strike the bloomin’ colors! Step lively, now!” A sailor swiftly lowered the British flag. Captain Haines touched the lucky rabbit’s foot he always carried. If the border guards found out where the ship was from, the mission was doomed. [End of Section]

26. Analyze Author’s Style Your Turn Read the passage from Ray Bradbury’s “The Fog Horn” in your textbook. Then, explain which statement correctly describes its style, citing examples from the passage. Statement of Style 1 The writer uses imagery to create a playful tone about a serious subject. Statement of Style 2 Repetition and vivid imagery help describe a bleak setting. [End of Section]

27. The End