Elements of Style

Developing Writing Style through Setting, Tone, and Imagery

SettingThe setting of a story is the time and place in which the action occurs. But setting can also reveal information about character’s lives, create conflict, or serve as a symbol

Setting Affects Character?The setting of a story can influence characters by:

1. Determining the living conditions2. Shaping the values, dreams, and personalities

The setting affects character

A dark, dirty nightclub in downtown Los Angeles in the early 1980’s. Robby adjusts the microphone, checks the volume on his amp and looks into the empty audience. He dreams of one day rocking sold out arenas of screaming fans, but for tonight, the old man at the bar will have to do.

Setting Creates Conflict?The setting of a story can create conflict by:

1. Exposing characters to dangerous, natural phenomenon like thunderstorms.

2. Making characters endure a difficult time in their life like the Great Depression.

The setting creates conflict

A dark, dirty nightclub in downtown Los Angeles in the early 1980’s. Because of a rare LA rainstorm, the audience is empty. Robby plays this club just for his dinner, no other payment. His pockets and stomach have been empty for days but all he needed was one chance to make it big.

Setting Serves as Symbol?The setting serves as a symbol by:

1. Representing an important idea.2. Representing a character’s hopes, future, or

predicament.

A dark, dirty nightclub in downtown Los Angeles in the early 1980’s. Robby looks to the floor, warn by years of unnoticed performances, stained by the sweat of unheard guitar solos, broken and splintered like his dream. This stage was a symbol of his dying hope.

The setting acts as a symbol

ImageryImagery consists of words and phrases that recreate sensory experiences for the reader. Rather than tell an action or setting, the author may choose to use sensory details.

Senses Influence Imagery?Sensory Details are words and phrases that appeal to any of the five senses:

Sight Sound Taste Touch Smell

Paint The PictureDescribe the setting shown below using only description of sight.

Paint The PictureDescribe the setting shown below using only description of sound.

Paint The PictureDescribe the setting shown below using only description of taste.

Paint The PictureDescribe the setting shown below using only description of touch.

Paint The PictureDescribe the setting shown below using only description of smell.

MoodBy combining setting description and imagery the author can control the mood. Mood is the atmosphere or feeling of a story.

Write It.The Notebook 1

Setting:

Imagery:

Mood:

The Notebook 2

Setting:

Imagery:

Mood: