1. Unit 5: Organization
Style analysis

2. The concept of an author’s organization, structure, or form is difficult to master
because there is no set formula to follow (as there was with diction, detail, and
point of view). As the reader, you must watch for a broader pattern in the piece of
writing. Then, when you notice a framework or structure, you must identify it and
analyze why the author chose to do it that way.
The following is a starting point in learning to recognize the organization.
Watch for the following:
The beginning or ending of the passage
A particular sequence that is important
A noticeable chronology
Any literary techniques that stand out
An emphasis on any one part
A shift on tone from one section to the next

3. The process of studying organization is different from the earlier sections of this
unit. First, you will divide the passage into three parts: beginning, middle, and end.
There is no one right place to divide it; as long as you can support your divisions
Logically.
You are already familiar with “The Rattler.” Read it again and divide the passage
into three sections – beginning, middle, and end.
The topic sentence for the organization paragraph is different from those you have
written so far. It will follow this pattern:
The organization moves from ____________ to ____________
and finally to ________________________________.
The words that go in the blanks will describe the tone of each section.
Here is a sample for “The Rattler:”
The organization of the piece moves from calm to violence and finally to reflection.
The tone words are in italics so you can see how the blanks are filled in. Each section
– beginning, middle, and end – has its own tone word.

4. Once you identify the author’s organization, you will summarize or paraphrase each
section on your example sentences. You do not use quotations at all in the organization
paragraph. Here is a sample summary for the beginning section of “The Rattler:”
In the beginning, the man encounters a snake unexpectedly in a tableau-like scene.
The next part of the paragraph follows a familiar pattern: you write two sentences of
commentary about the example sentence. In organization analysis, the commentary
analyzes the significance of the summary and discusses why the author chose this
organization. This unit of writing – one example sentence and two commentary
sentences – is called a chunk. For organization paragraphs, you need three chunks.
Each section of the passage gets its own chunk. Here are sample commentary
sentences for the example:
His accidental confrontation juxtaposes present serenity with future slaughter. The author uses this random meeting to emphasize the conflict between nature and encroaching civilization.

5. You will not be doing your own organization paragraph in this lesson; you will have
another passage for practice later. Here is a sample organization paragraph as a model:
The organization of the piece moves from calm to violence and finally to reflection.
2) In the beginning, the man encounters a snake unexpectedly in a tableau-like scene.
3) His accidental confrontation juxtaposes serenity with future slaughter. 4) The author
uses this random meeting to emphasize the conflict between nature and encroaching
civilization. 5) In the middle, the man takes action against the snake. 6) Moving from
being a passive onlooker to an active participant in a conflict between respect and
uncivilized instinct, he must disregard his own personal code in order to fulfill his
responsibility to protect the village. 7) The author emphasizes both the consciousness
of the man’s decision and the bloody ramifications of the snake’s death to underscore
the man’s bittersweet victory. 8) In the end, the man achieves his goal, and the snake
dies. 9) The man refuses to regard his kill as a triumph of sport and instead
contemplates his loss. 10) The author reestablishes the equilibrium between nature
and humanity and returns to a scene of motionless symbiosis. 11) As the day comes to
a close, the man reaffirms his respect for the hierarchy of life in a moment of silent
remorse.

6. The passage comes from “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett
The passage comes from “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett. It appeared on the
1994 AP Lit and Comp exam. Students were asked to analyze the diction, imagery,
narrative pace, and point of view.
Read the passage as a class and identify two different but complementary tones you
see in the piece. We will make a list on the board. Now, in a group, write the introductory
paragraph starting with the thesis and fleshing out the paragraph, by elaborating
with commentary.
Now divide the piece into three parts –beginning, middle, and end. Discuss.
Write points of summary or paraphrases for each section in the margins. These will
become your example sentences.
Now copy the chart on the next slide. Each block will become a sentence in the
organization paragraph.

7. #11 CONCLUDING SENTENCE:
#1 TOPIC SENTENCE: The organization moves from ______ to ________ finally to ______________.
SUMMARY/PARAPHRASE
COMMENTARY
THE AUTHOR DOES THIS TO SHOW/ILLUSTRATE/EMPHASIZE THE _____
BEGINNING #2 #3 #4
MIDDLE #5 #6 #7
END #8 #9
#10
#11 CONCLUDING SENTENCE:

8. We will complete block #1 together
We will complete block #1 together. Do not repeat tone words from the first
paragraph when you write the topic sentence.
Now continue with the chart as I record your thoughts. Make sure you copy.
Feel free to work in a column or row…which ever you prefer.
Now complete the first third of the paragraph –one example sentence that includes
your summary and two commentary sentences. This chunk -- sentences 2, 3, and
4 – will analyze the beginning of the piece. Each sentence should come from its
corresponding block on the chart.
Read aloud for discussion.
Now complete the next third of the paragraph – another example sentence that
includes summary and two commentary sentences. This chunk – sentences 5, 6,
and 7 – will analyze the middle of the piece. . Each sentence should come from its
corresponding block on the chart.
Read these aloud for discussion.

9. Now do the last third of this paragraph – another example sentence that includes
summary and two commentary sentences. This chunk – sentences 8, 9, and 10 –
will analyze the end of the piece. Each sentence should come from its corresponding
block on the chart.
Now write a concluding sentence that gives a finished feeling to the paragraph.
Avoid repeating key words.
Now we will do the same thing for Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address…
and maybe a couple more…