Ever notice how hard it is to teach an author’s style to your students? While teaching plot or conflict is easy for students to grasp, the author’s style is an elusive concept that is hard to nail down. Sometimes it feels like it’s hard for use ELA teachers even to know what to look for. And then we expect our kids to do the same thing? That’s where everyone gets stuck.
So what’s the answer: a system for the author’s style? If you give your students a clear way to find the author’s style and give them a bank of options to choose from. Then, they will be able to find the author’s style for any text that they read. Ready to learn my system? Check my author’s style of writing style below.
Wondering if maybe there is an easier way to get started with the author’s style? Check out my Author’s Style Lesson Plan which has all the resources that you need. This author style lesson plan helps students to discover examples of the author’s style as they examine diction, details, voice, and syntax to determine the style of writing.
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Teaching The Author’s Style System
Step 1: Diction
Let’s start with diction—the words an author chooses to bring their story to life. This isn’t just about vocabulary; it’s about how each word shapes the mood, tone, and vibe of the piece. When students dig into diction, they start noticing whether the language feels formal or casual, precise or playful. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference in understanding why an author’s style feels a certain way. By focusing on diction, students start picking up on the nuances that make the writing unique.
Need a little boost to get started with diction? My Author Style Lesson Plan includes activities that help students dig into diction, showing them how word choice changes the feel and impact of the text.
Step 2: Details
Details might seem straightforward, but they’re where a lot of the author’s magic happens. Authors choose what to include and what to leave out to guide the reader’s experience. When students pay attention to details, they see the story on a deeper level—like how certain descriptions shape our view of a character or make a setting feel vivid and real. This step helps students recognize that nothing is random. Every detail is there for a reason, and finding that reason is what makes literary analysis so engaging.
Step 3: Voice
Voice is where an author’s personality truly shines through. It’s the attitude, humor, or distinct way of seeing the world that gives a piece its unique feel. This is the part of the writing that feels like the author talking directly to the reader. When students analyze voice, they’re looking at what makes the writing feel authentic and relatable. Whether the voice is serious, sarcastic, or wildly imaginative, it’s the element that makes writing memorable and connects with readers on a deeper level.
If you want to make your life easier, my Author Style Lesson Plan includes activities that focus on recognizing and describing voice, so students can connect more personally with the text.
Step 4: Syntax
Syntax might sound fancy, but it’s really just about sentence structure and how it changes the flow and impact of the writing. Authors play with sentence length, punctuation, and rhythm to create effects. A quick, snappy sentence builds excitement, while a longer, flowing one might slow down the pace. When students focus on syntax, they start seeing how the writing’s structure shapes their reading experience. It’s a powerful reminder that style isn’t just about words; it’s about how those words are arranged to create meaning.
Step 5: Author Style Example Bank
An Author Styles Example Bank is a fantastic tool for giving students a hands-on look at different styles. By reading a mix of excerpts, they can see how various authors use diction, details, voice, and syntax in unique ways. It’s like a mini library of styles that they can compare, discuss, and even try to mimic. With this example bank, students gain a clearer understanding of what an author’s style really means and how it brings each piece of writing to life.
If you want those examples for your students check out my Author Style Lesson Plan includes curated examples for an Author Styles Example Bank, making it easy to get started without having to search for passages yourself.
More Ideas for Teaching Author’s Style and Literary Elements
7 Simple Short Story Literary Prompts You Need for Your Classroom
Teaching Literary Elements The Best Way At The Beginning of the Year
How to Teach Literary Elements in a Short Story in an Engaging Way
Hopefully, you can see that by creating a system, your students will not think that the author’s style is something so tough. And maybe you won’t mind teaching author’s style either. If you are looking for extra support to get started, check out my Author Style Lesson Plan. It’s packed with all the resources that you need to make teaching author’s style a breeze.
If you enjoyed this blog post and want even more ideas, check out my other posts at www.theteacherrewrite.com and follow me on Instagram @theteacherrewrite. I share ELA resources, tips, and tricks to make teaching easier without reworking your entire curriculum. Let me take care of the prep, so you can focus on what you do best—teaching. Remember, think smart, not hard! And feel free to use all my strategies for teaching author’s style.
