14 Elements of Style

1. Sentence Structure

• Are the sentences long or short?

• Are there any interruptions in the sentences?

• Is the word-order straight-forward or jumbled?

2. Pace

•Is the writing heavily descriptive or does it focus on action and plot movement?

3. Diction: Word Choice

• Is the writing packed or elaborate and long-winded?

4. Vocabulary

•Are the words simple or fancy?

•Are they technical or flowery?

5. Figurative Language

•Are there any metaphors or similes?

•Are there any symbols?•Personification?

6. Use of Dialogue

• How often does dialogue tell the story?

• Do we see entire conversations with dialogue or just parts of a conversation?

• Does the conversation use slang or is it formal and fancy?

• Does the dialogue seem natural or fake?

7. Point of View

• First person (I, me)

• Second person (you)

• Third person: 2 kinds (He)

–Third person omniscient

–Third person limited

8. Character Development

• How are characters introduced?

• How do we see them evolve and change?

• What is their motivation for their actions?

9. tone

• What is the author’s attitude?

• What is the mood of the story?

• Does the author/narrator seem sarcastic? Aggressive? Hopeful? Sad? etc.

10. Sound

•How much does language call attention to sound?–Alliteration?–Rhyme?

11. Paragraph Structure

•Are paragraphs very short or very long?

12. Time Sequencing

• Did the author use chronological order or was time mixed up?

13. Allusions

• How and how often does the author mention other writings, myths, symbols, famous people, historical events, quotations, and so often?

14. Experiments with language

•Are there any unusual techniques such as breaking the rules of grammar?