Evaluating Style Unit 8 Style is the way

Evaluating Style Unit #8

Style is the way in which something is written, as opposed to the meaning of what is written. In writing, however, the two are very closely linked. Style influences the reader’s impression of the information itself. Style includes diction and tone. The main goal in considering style is to present your information in a manner appropriate for both the audience and the purpose of the writing. Consistency is vital. Switching styles can distract the reader and diminish the believability of the paper’s argument. Styly almost always affects mood or tone

Elements of Style Word choice (also called "diction"): Does the author use words drawn from everyday language and slang, or from a higher vocabulary level? Formal, informal, ornate, articulate Length and complexity of sentences: Are story sentences short and choppy, or long and complex? Long winded, circuitous, prolix, pithy Punctuation: Does the author use punctuation in any distinctive ways that differ from normal usage? Declamatory, punchy, wordy, rambling Use of imagery and symbols: Does the author make use of special images or symbols to tell the story? Flowery, romantic, eloquent, poetic, picturesque Sound and rhythm: Does the author choose or arrange words for the way they sound? How does the story sound when you read it aloud? Lyrical, musical, Format: Does the author use standard prose and paragraphing? Does the author write in a sequential order, or does she skip around? Journalistic, succinct, rhetorical http: //www. macmillandictionary. com/us/thesaurus-category/american/words-used-to-describe-writing-or-speech-style

Style Practice The following paragraph has several inconsistencies in its style. Correct the inconsistencies. When writing a term paper, the one thing you’ve got to remember is to use authoritative sources. These are vital if the paper is to persuade the intended audience. Reliable sources can be found everywhere from the library down the street to the internet. Internet sources must be used cautiously, since some sites are just run by wackos; nonetheless, some sites do provide quality information. Once the writer has found her sources, she must remember to cite them properly in order to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is bad. Citation styles vary across the disciplines, but they can usually be figured out with a proper style manual.

Diction is word choice. When writing, use vocabulary suited for the type of assignment. Words that have almost the same denotation (dictionary meaning) can have very different connotations (implied meanings). Examples: Some types of diction are almost never advisable in writing. Avoid clichés, vagueness (language that has more than one equally probable meaning), wordiness, and unnecessarily complex language. Positive Negative pruning the bushes slashing at the bushes the politician's stance the politician's spin Formal Diction Casual Diction Slang (very informal) are not angry aren't mad ain't ticked

Diction: Connotation vs. Denotation https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=XZ 3 LE 5 h. D 96 A Average word is made up of 3 parts: 1. Sound- noise uttered by articulation of tongue, teeth, lips with a combination of air passing through vocal chords (musical note/tone) 2. Denotation- meaning that is attached to word in isolation 3. Connotation- what the word suggests beyond what it expresses. Acquires this through past history and associations Home D- place where one lives C- love, comfort, and family Childish/Childlike D- meekness, innocence C- immature, pettiness Doubloon- D- ancient coin of Spain or Spanish America C-pirate gold https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=l. Nir. Fr. Me. Ryw&nohtml 5=False

Diction: Practice Choose the word that would add the most negativity to the sentence. 1. The leader was his nation’s most (notorious, well-known, famous) advocate. 2. Immigrants (thronged, flocked, swarmed) to the large cities. 3. A (trim, skinny, slender) woman entered the room. 4. The man was (inebriated, drunk, intoxicated). 5. Where did you find that (outfit, get-up, attire)?

Mood is the emotions that you (the reader) feel while you are reading. Some literature makes you feel sad, others joyful, still others, angry. Writers use many devices to create mood, including images, dialogue, setting, and plot. Often a writer creates a mood at the beginning of the story and continues it to the end. However, sometimes the mood changes because of the plot or changes in characters. One good way to see mood (and, to a degree, tone) in action is through genre-crossing movie trailers. In film editing classes throughout the States, a common assignment is to take an existing film (say, a comedy) and create a film preview that presents the film as a different genre (for example, a horror film). This is accomplished through editing and splicing scenes, adding new, anxiety-producing music and sound effects, and adding a new voice-over introduction. http: //ourenglishclass. net/class-notes/writing/the-writing-process/craft/tone-and-mood/

Tone Aside from individual word choice, the overall tone, or attitude, of a piece of writing should be appropriate to the audience and purpose. The tone may be objective or subjective, logical or emotional, intimate or distant, serious or humorous. It can consist mostly of long, intricate sentences, of short, simple ones, or of something in between. (Good writers frequently vary the length of their sentences. ) One way to achieve proper tone is to imagine a situation in which to say the words being written. A journal might be like a conversation with a close friend where there is the freedom to use slang or other casual forms of speech. A column for a newspaper may be more like a high-school graduation speech: it can be more formal, but it can still be funny or familiar. An academic paper is like a formal speech at a conference: being interesting is desirable, but there is no room for personal digressions or familiar usage of slang words. In all of these cases, there is some freedom of self-expression while adapting to the audience. In the same way, writing should change to suit the occasion.

Tone vs. Voice Anything you write should still have your voice: something that makes your writing sound uniquely like you. A personal conversation with a friend differs from a speech given to a large group of strangers. Just as you speak to different people in different ways yet remain yourself, so the tone of your writing can vary with the situation while the voice -- the essential, individual thoughts and expression -- is still your own. Abortion “Murder is an intentional killing and a brutal act upon another living person. Abortion is murder as the process kills a growing, living fetus inside of a woman. Innocent lives are taken every single day. No one should decide to go through with abortion, as it is inhumane and an unethical practice. ” Drinking Age “Teens are bound to do rebellious things but if shown that drinking isn’t as much as its riled up to be they wont do it. ” Paying College Athletes “College athletes put their bodies on the line every game for their school. These athletes bring an incredible amount of money every game. These athletes really should get paid they really do a pleasure representing the school for their coach. ”