how do you describe an authors writing style and structure?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=how+describe+author%27s+style+structure&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images
There are several sites in there that should help. (Skip the second link, though.)
Structure is however a writer decides to tell his story. Does he tell it absolutely chronologically? Does he use flashbacks at times? Does he tell a story within a story -- a frame story? (Poe's "The Oval Portrait" is such a story -- http://infomotions.com/etexts/literature/american/1800-1899/poe-oval-697.htm ) James Michener also wrote many of his novels in the form of frame stories -- Centennial, The Source, Texas, and many others.
John Steinbeck wrote his novel The Grapes of Wrath in a sort of checkerboard structure. Chapter 1 was background and philosophy; chapter 2 was the beginning of the story; chapter 3 was more background and philosophy; chapter 4 was the next chapter in the story; etc. Once I realized how he had structured the novel, it was much easier for me to understand where he was going with all this. Everything made more sense.
Writing style -- flowery, straightforward, spiraling, etc., etc. There are many, many ways to describe how writers write.
To describe an author's writing style and structure, there are several steps you can follow:
1. Read the author's work thoroughly: To understand an author's writing style and structure, you need to immerse yourself in their work. Read a variety of their books or articles to get a comprehensive overview.
2. Identify recurring patterns: Look for recurring elements, themes, or techniques in the author's writing. This can include their use of metaphors, symbolism, descriptive language, or dialogue. Take note of any unique or distinctive aspects that stand out to you.
3. Analyze the author's choice of words: Pay attention to the author's vocabulary and sentence structures. Are they more inclined towards using simple, straightforward language, or do they incorporate complex or poetic expressions? Evaluate whether their writing is concise and direct, or if they employ lengthy sentences with detailed descriptions.
4. Consider the tone and voice: Observe the author's tone — the attitude or feeling conveyed in their writing. Determine if the tone is serious, humorous, poetic, descriptive, or something else entirely. Also, analyze the author's narrative voice — the particular style or voice through which the story is told. Is it first-person or third-person? Is it objective or subjective?
5. Determine the author's structural choices: Observe how the author structures their work. Does the author follow a linear narrative or employ non-linear storytelling? Are the chapters or sections organized thematically or chronologically? Note any unique structural choices the author makes, such as employing flashbacks, multiple points of view, or experimental formats.
6. Compare to other authors: Consider how the author's writing style and structure compare to those of other writers in the same genre or time period. By comparing and contrasting different authors, you can better understand the distinctive qualities that make the author's style unique.
7. Use descriptive language: When describing an author's writing style and structure, use specific and descriptive language. Avoid generalizations like "good" or "bad." Instead, focus on adjectives that capture the essence of their writing, such as "lyrical," "sparse," "stream-of-consciousness," "plot-driven," "experimental," "melancholic," or "satirical."
Remember, describing an author's writing style and structure requires careful analysis and interpretation. It's essential to support your descriptions with specific examples from the author's work to provide evidence for your observations.