Style What makes you unique?

Definition the manner of expression of a particular writer produced by: choice of words sentence structures use of literary devices rhythm other elements of composition

Many writers have their own particular style Some types of style are scientific, expository, poetic, and journalistic For example, an article from a magazine or a newspaper is written in a different style than one from a scientific journal Newspaper: journalistic, factual but may be persuasive or biased, should appeal to wide variety of readers Scientific Journal: scientific, uses science-related words, should be solely factual, may only appeal to readers who share same scientific knowledge

“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.”  ― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

“His heart beat faster and faster as Daisy’s white face came up to his own. He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God. So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning-fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation complete.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby

“All time is all time. It does not change “All time is all time. It does not change. It does not lend itself to warnings or explanations. It simply is. Take it moment by moment, and you will find that we are all, as I’ve said before, bugs in amber.” —Kurt Vonnegut Slaughter-House Five

Another Style: Vignette Definition: a short, well-written sketch or descriptive scene It does not have a plot, which would make it a story, but it does reveal something about the elements in it It may reveal character, or mood, or tone It may have a theme or idea of its own that it wants to convey It is the description of the scene or character that is important

For example, Sandra Cisneros’ novel The House on Mango Street is written in a series of vignettes. Reread the first Vignette How would you describe her style of writing? What kinds of things did she do that other writers you’ve seen don’t?

Write your own vignette Write a description of their own home, mirroring the description in Chapter One and using the elements of the style of a vignette. Students should write about the physical description of their home, as well as briefly mention any family members who live with them. Students should also describe what ‘home’ means to them. Students should be sure to answer the following questions: Does your home make you who you are/define you? How does it affect your identity? Does it depict your culture?