Style Analysis: Style Analysis: ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION

Part V: Part V: ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION Organization:Organization:

– Seeing what the author does Seeing what the author does STRUCTURALLY (larger structure STRUCTURALLY (larger structure rather than close analysis of smaller rather than close analysis of smaller units like diction, detail, and p.o.v.)units like diction, detail, and p.o.v.)

What to watch for…What to watch for…

a.a. The beginning or ending of the passageThe beginning or ending of the passageb.b. A particular sequence that is importantA particular sequence that is importantc.c. A noticeable chronologyA noticeable chronologyd.d. Any literary techniques that stand outAny literary techniques that stand oute.e. An emphasis on any one partAn emphasis on any one partf.f. A shift in tone from one section to the A shift in tone from one section to the

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Group Practice:Group Practice: Read “The Rattler” (again Read “The Rattler” (again )) Look for places to break the piece into a Look for places to break the piece into a

beginning, middle, and end.beginning, middle, and end. There is no “right place” to do this– you can There is no “right place” to do this– you can

divide a passage in the middle of a paragraph divide a passage in the middle of a paragraph or even in the middle of a sentence– as long as or even in the middle of a sentence– as long as you can SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.you can SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.

HINT: Look for SHIFTS (in tone, in syntax, etc. HINT: Look for SHIFTS (in tone, in syntax, etc. I like to look for transition words to help me I like to look for transition words to help me out, if any are provided. Think about how you out, if any are provided. Think about how you know a counterargument is coming, for know a counterargument is coming, for example).example).

Organization Organization Paragraph: Paragraph: Topic SentenceTopic Sentence The organization moves from ______ to The organization moves from ______ to

_______ and finally to________._______ and finally to________.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: The organization of the piece moves from The organization of the piece moves from

calmcalm to to violenceviolence and finally to and finally to reflectionreflection. .

[Notice how each section– beginning, [Notice how each section– beginning, middle, and end– has its own tone word].middle, and end– has its own tone word].

Organization Organization Paragraph: Concrete Paragraph: Concrete Detail SentenceDetail Sentence NO QUOTATIONS ARE USED FOR A NO QUOTATIONS ARE USED FOR A

DISCUSSION OF THE WRITER’S DISCUSSION OF THE WRITER’S ORGANIZATION!ORGANIZATION!

Summarize or paraphrase each Summarize or paraphrase each section in your example sentences.section in your example sentences.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: In the beginning, the man In the beginning, the man

encounters a snake unexpectedly encounters a snake unexpectedly in a tableau-like scene.in a tableau-like scene.

Organization Organization Paragraph: Paragraph: Commentary SentencesCommentary Sentences

The commentary analyzes the significance The commentary analyzes the significance of the summary (CD) and discusses why of the summary (CD) and discusses why the author chose this organization.the author chose this organization.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: In the beginning, the man encounters a In the beginning, the man encounters a

snake unexpectedly in a tableau-like snake unexpectedly in a tableau-like scene. scene. His accidental confrontation His accidental confrontation juxtaposes present serenity with future juxtaposes present serenity with future slaughter. The author uses this random slaughter. The author uses this random meeting to emphasize the conflict between meeting to emphasize the conflict between nature and encroaching civilization.nature and encroaching civilization.

Sample Organization Paragraph (handout)Sample Organization Paragraph (handout)The organization of the piece moves from The organization of the piece moves from calmcalm to to violenceviolence and finally to and finally to reflectionreflection.. In the beginningIn the beginning, the , the man encounters a snake unexpectedly in a tableau-like man encounters a snake unexpectedly in a tableau-like scene.scene. His accidental confrontation juxtaposes present His accidental confrontation juxtaposes present serenity with future slaughter. The author uses this serenity with future slaughter. The author uses this random meeting to emphasize the conflict between nature random meeting to emphasize the conflict between nature and encroaching civilization.and encroaching civilization. In the middleIn the middle, the man takes , the man takes action against the snake.action against the snake. Moving from being a passive Moving from being a passive onlooker to an active participant in a conflict between onlooker to an active participant in a conflict between respect for life and uncivilized instinct, he must disregard respect for life and uncivilized instinct, he must disregard his own personal code in order to fulfill his responsibility to his own personal code in order to fulfill his responsibility to protect the village. The author emphasizes both the protect the village. The author emphasizes both the consciousness of the man’s decision and the bloody consciousness of the man’s decision and the bloody ramifications of the snake’s death to underscore the man’s ramifications of the snake’s death to underscore the man’s bittersweet victory.bittersweet victory. In the endIn the end, the man achieves his goal, , the man achieves his goal, and the snake dies.and the snake dies. The man refuses to regard his kill as a The man refuses to regard his kill as a triumph of sport and instead contemplates his loss. The triumph of sport and instead contemplates his loss. The author reestablishes the equilibrium between nature and author reestablishes the equilibrium between nature and humanity and returns to a scene of motionless symbiosis.humanity and returns to a scene of motionless symbiosis. As the day comes to a close, the man reaffirms his respect As the day comes to a close, the man reaffirms his respect for the hierarchy of life in a moment of silent remorse. for the hierarchy of life in a moment of silent remorse.

Paired Practice: Paired Practice: excerpt fromexcerpt from “A White Heron” “A White Heron”by Sarah Orne Jewettby Sarah Orne Jewett

1. Read the passage1. Read the passage2. Write an introductory paragraph for the 2. Write an introductory paragraph for the

passage, including a tone thesispassage, including a tone thesis3. Divide the passage into three parts: 3. Divide the passage into three parts:

beginning, middle, endbeginning, middle, end4. Write points of summary or paraphrases in the 4. Write points of summary or paraphrases in the

margins of the passage (these paraphrases will margins of the passage (these paraphrases will become your CDs)become your CDs)

5. Work on organization chart for “A White 5. Work on organization chart for “A White Heron”Heron”

Independent Practice:Independent Practice:Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass passagepassage1.1. Refer back to your tone thesis for Refer back to your tone thesis for

this passage.this passage.2.2. Divide the passage into three Divide the passage into three

sections– beginning, middle, and sections– beginning, middle, and endend

3.3. Write a THREE-CHUNK paragraph Write a THREE-CHUNK paragraph that analyzes the way Douglass that analyzes the way Douglass has organized (or structured) this has organized (or structured) this particular passageparticular passage

4.4. Blue/black ink, preferably typed.Blue/black ink, preferably typed.