Style Analysis

1. Style Analysis Detail Paragraph

2. Format is the same as for diction paragraph • Topic sentence • Integrated quote sentence as example (2 quotes from different places in the piece) • Commentary • Commentary • Integrated quote sentence as example • Commentary • Commentary

3. What is concrete detail? • A literal or factual description • Who, what, when, where

4. How is this different than diction? • Diction refers to connotative vocabulary • Detail refers to literal description

5. Imagery in concrete detail • I often use imagery as a synonym for detail because AP tests have often used the two interchangeably.

6. But I thought imagery was connotative? • An image is a literal and concrete representation of a sensory experience or of an object that can be known by one or more of the senses.

7. Here is a detail citation from “The Rattler” • “turned a little to watch what I would do”

8. How does this phrase supply concrete detail? • It is important not for any connotations the words themselves may have but for the literal images of the scene between the man and the snake. This sentence helps us visualize the snake turning around as it sits on the desert sand.

9. Process for detail paragraph • Underline any examples of detail or imagery that strike you as significant • Go back and read only underlined sentences • What image do most of the underlined sentences convey?—This should be a reasonable conclusion as to the author’s purpose for the detail included in the passage.

10. Example from “The Rattler” • After sunset…I walked out into the desert… • Not drawn back to strike • Turned a little to watch what I would do • Not even rattling yet • Children, dogs, horses at the ranch…men and women • I went back to the ranch house, got a hoe, and returned • Saw the hoe • Tail twitched, the little tocsin sounded; he drew back his head • I raised my weapon • Dense bush • Shook and shook • I listened for a minute • Reached into…bush with my hoe • Dragged him out of it with his back broken • His neck was broken • I picked him up by the tail • Gape and snap once more • Blood in his mouth and poison dripping from his fangs • I did not cut off the rattles for a trophy • I let him drop • Twilit sands

11. Topic sentence

12. The author’s detail illuminates the standoff and subsequent duel between the man and snake.

13. Example sentences • Just as you did with diction, you will write an example sentence. • There is one difference in the example sentence---you will include only two quotations because detail and imagery require more words than diction to convey an idea.

14. Example • The snake “{turns} a little to watch” the man as it waits to see if he will go “back to the ranch house, {get} a hoe, and {return}.”

15. This quotation sentence integrates two separate quotes taken from different parts of the passage. This shows your reader that you have understood the entire piece and are choosing quotations thoughtfully.

16. Commentary (analysis or interpretation) • This should comment on the images conveyed by the detail you included in your example sentence. • Commentary does not mean paraphrasing the quotation sentence; it means thinking about the effect of the images suggested by the detail.

18. Commentary Example • The snake is not afraid, hesitant, or easily unnerved because it knows its own formidable power. It moves its head casually, glancing over to see what interesting but trivial intrusion has arrived.