Elements of Voice: DETAIL Detail and Diction are two of the simplest tools writers use to create their own writing style and to communicate their intended message.

Elements of Voice: DETAIL On the AP exam, you may be asked to analyze an author’s use of language, and the prompt may direct you to consider particular elements of the piece of writing they are analyzing. One such element is the author’s selection of detail. Details can make a basic sentence informative and interesting. An “author’s use of detail” refers to the way the author adds facts or elaboration. Along with diction, figurative language, and imagery, the details an author selects determine the author’s style and contribute significantly to the overall effect of his or her writing.

Elements of Voice: DETAIL Here are some examples of each of the four ways an author embellishes and elaborates upon simple declarative sentences. Consider the effect that each element has on this basic sentence: Robbie reached for the basketball. DETAIL: Robbie reached for the ball, successfully took possession, pulled it to his chest, looked at the basket, them aimed, threw, and watched it drop through the rim to score the winning point. (numerous facts)

Elements of Voice: DETAIL Robbie reached for the basketball. EVOCATIVE DICTION: Desperate to win, Robbie lunged for the ball (using words with connotations) FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Thinking like a winner, Robbie’s controlled frenzy enabled him to reach for the ball, jump gracefully as a gazelle as the threw it toward the basket, and unfortunately hear it smack against the backboard and rebound into the arms of an opponent.

Elements of Voice: DETAIL Robbie reached for the basketball IMAGERY: Robbie felt the round, nubby ball as his hands curled around the worn leather, hugged it protectively to his chest, then lobbed it toward the basket.

Elements of Voice: DETAIL Keep these differences in word use in mind as you read and evaluate passages. Do not expect every passage to be completely comprised of any one stylistic device such as detail, vivid diction, or figurative language. A passage comprised predominantly of detail might also have some limited use of connotative words, figurative language, and imagery. Detail is the simplest method of elaboration through the addition of facts or information, sometimes found in a list or words

Elements of Voice: DETAIL Sometimes it is difficult to analyze these devices because this analysis requires the students to step back from the work, identify the significant details used by the author, and then decide why the author chose these details, and what effect he or she achieves by including them

Elements of Voice: DETAIL Detail is the simplest method of elaboration through the addition of facts or information, sometimes found in a list or words or within a group of words. Detail has no particular connotations (associations, emotional suggestions); it is what it says.

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL To recognize detail in a passage, first carefully read the passage, highlighting words that provide facts or information. After you read, look back over the passage for any kind of pattern. Is the author explaining something, perhaps trying to make information clear? Is he or she trying to describe something/someone/some place? Is he or she relating a series of events, perhaps in order to prove a point? If this information is stated in a factual way, using little or no connotative language (evocative diction), then you are looking at detail.

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL An author’s purpose for using detail may be any of the following: to describe. to inform. to overwhelm the reader with proof, reasons, facts, etc. to make a point to establish tone. to offer a list of events/reasons/ etc.

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL The author’s choice to use detail must be intentional. When you recognize detail within a passage, you must consider the author’s purpose for including that detail.

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL You Should read the passage carefully; 2) identify the author’s selection of detail; Then ask “why” the author is including those particular details. Keep in mind that identifying the author’s purpose in including particular details is a matter of interpretation of the passage as a whole.

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL EXAMPLE: Standing in the doorway, the woman saw that the room was the same, the comfortable old chair just as she remembered, the familiar picture of sunflowers over the sofa, the old wooden coffee table, and as always, the lamp without a bulb. QUESTION: What is the author’s purpose for listing the furniture in the room? ANSWER: to reveal all that the woman sees as she surveys the room, unchanged since she was last here. This detailed information is possible being used to set up the woman’s feelings or reactions when she sees that all is the same as it was previously.

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL QUESTION: What details does the author select to show this? ANSWER: the chair – just as she remembered; the picture – familiar; the coffee table – old; and the lamp – as always.

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL EXAMPLE: When the mother saw her twelve-year-old child’s performance in the play, she at first felt fear of her daughter’s possible failure; then as the play progressed, pride about the

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL QUESTION: What is the author’s purpose for listing all the mother’s emotions? ANSWER: to reveal the range of emotions that a mother might feel when she sees her child displaying her talent publicly. QUESTION: What details does the author select to show this? ANSWER: fear, pride, respect, joy.

Elements of Voice: Recognizing DETAIL Stop now and peruse the Detail Example Passage from “The Ultimate Kitchen Gadget” by Robert Capon (2017 students, we will do this in class Monday)

Works Cited Detail and Diction. AP from A to Z. AP Language Series, vol. 3. Applied Practice, 2012, pp. 8-24.