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LIT 201/Dye

STYLE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

STYLE: One literary element that is useful for analyzing short stories is STYLE. Of all the elements, it contains the most parts, all of which may not be utilized by an author. By definition, "STYLE is the man (or woman as the case may be)." It is the author's way of putting words together and using literary devices and techniques. Often an author is identifiable by the stylistic devices he or she commonly uses. The more you read that author, the more able you are to recognize that writer by his or her style.

DIRECTIONS: Identify any of the stylistic devices the author uses in his/her story in the spaces below. Note that an author may use many of the devices but he/she is not known for that particular STYLE because the devices are being used in an ordinary way. What marks the author’s particular style is an exaggerated use of a device or certain devices.

Name of the Short Story:

(Title put in quotation marks!)

Author:

Complete Page Numbers in Textbook:

A. DIALOGUE - use of dialect, speech patterns, and language natural to location and/or type of character.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

B. SENSORY WORDS

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

C. FIGURES OF SPEECH - especially:

a. SIMILE - comparison with "like" or "as."

b. METAPHOR - comparison of one thing to another unlike thing.

c. PERSONIFICATION - giving human characteristics to inanimate

objects.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

D. FORESHADOWING - hint of something to come.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

E. FLASHBACK - brief lapse into some past time.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

F. ANALOGY - extended comparison.

Analogy cont’d. on next page

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

G. IMAGERY - pictures created with words.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

H. ALLITERATION - repetition of initial consonant sounds.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

I. CONNOTATION - emotional attitudes associated with the meanings of words.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

  1. SYMBOLISM - concrete, factual details that evoke ideas and emotions. These may be objectives, events, people who suggest more than their literal meaning. There are two types of symbolism an author might use:

1. CONVENTIONAL (CLOSED) SYMBOLS - commonly known to all.

Example: Spring symbolized rebirth.

Symbolism cont’d. next page

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

2. CREATED (OPEN) SYMBOLS - recognizable because they are

conspicuous for some reason other than factual importance.

Example: The budding trees in "The Story of an Hour" symbolize

the main character's awakening to freedom.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

K. ALLEGORY - extended symbolism.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

L. IRONY - the contrast between appearance and reality; it allows us to discover the opposite of what we expect.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

M. TONE - author's attitude (romantic, sardonic, sarcastic, etc.). May differ from surface mood.

EXAMPLESPAGE NUMBER(S)

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS EXERCISE

Now that you have completed the analysis for stylistic devices on your short story, discuss what appears to be the dominant device(s) used by your story’s author. Has anyone in your group read other stories or novels by this author? Does this style repeat itself in the author’s other works? The group may wish to consult our author notebook to see if any information there addresses style.