Easily Identify Elements of Writing Style

An author’s writing style is the unique way they communicate ideas, shaped by choices in language, sentence structure, narrative voice and literary techniques. The ability to identify elements of writing style can deepen students’ reading comprehension by allowing them to notice patterns, interpret meaning more deeply and understand how those choices influence the reader’s experience.

This two-page graphic organizer has been designed by our team to help students explore writing style while reading. It contains clearly structured spaces and guiding prompts, allowing students to consider how the author’s stylistic choices are reflected in a text’s setting, characters, storyline and themes.

Some of the prompts on this writing style graphic organiser include:

• What genre is this piece of writing?
• How are the characters described in the story?
• What techniques does the author use to keep the story moving?
• What kind of words does the author use?
• How does the sentence style affect how the text feels?

By recording their observations while engaging with a text, students can begin to see patterns in how authors build meaning and atmosphere. This not only strengthens reading comprehension but also inspires students to reflect on how they might apply these techniques in their own writing.

Analyze Style Elements in Writing Through Multiple Reading Experiences

This two-page graphic organizer can be used to promote considered, in-depth discussions about the various style elements in writing. Here are some ideas for using this resource in your ELA lessons:

• Whole-Class Reading – Use the graphic organizer to discuss and analyze the writing style of a novel or other text that has been read as a class. Project the graphic organizer onto your screen, then work as a class to complete each section.
• Small Group Reading – During guided reading sessions, have students fill out the graphic organizer while reading a selected text or passage. Once completed, bring the groups together to compare responses and highlight different perspectives.
• Independent Reading – Encourage students to track the writing style in a novel or picture book they’re reading on their own. Students could then use the information gathered to share insights about the author’s style with the class.

Download to Explore Elements of Style in Writing

This writing styles graphic organizer downloads as an easy-print PDF or an editable Google Slides file. Use the dropdown arrow on the Download button to choose your preferred version. Please note that you will be prompted to make a personal copy of the Google Slides file.

For sustainability purposes, please consider printing this two-page resource double-sided.

This resource was created by Brittany Collins, a teacher in Indiana and a Teach Starter collaborator.

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