Author's Craft
Genre
What is genre? What is the genre of the novel "Out of the Dust"? How do you know? Give examples.
Genre is the category of a piece of art or literature. The genre of the novel "Out of the Dust" is historical fiction. "Out of the Dust" is categorized as historical fiction because the novel talks about the effects of the Dust Bowl. For example, "At least we've got milk. Even if we have to chew it." (Page 22) In addition, "wind blew plate-glass windows in, tore electric signs down, ripped wheat straight out of the ground." (Page 20)
Genre is the category of a piece of art or literature. The genre of the novel "Out of the Dust" is historical fiction. "Out of the Dust" is categorized as historical fiction because the novel talks about the effects of the Dust Bowl. For example, "At least we've got milk. Even if we have to chew it." (Page 22) In addition, "wind blew plate-glass windows in, tore electric signs down, ripped wheat straight out of the ground." (Page 20)
Analyzing the Author's Style
How is the novel organized? What is unusual about the style that the author used to write down this novel?
The novel is organized in verses. It looks like a poem on each page. The author would arrange letters and the words to make some kind of shape. This is called a shape poem. That is unusual about the style that the author used to write down this novel. Also, the author would divide the novel into the seasons. And instead of paragraphs, the author would use verses or stanzas to organize the novel.
What is free verse? How does author's craft and structure play a role in the format of the book, how it is read and understood?
Free verse is poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter. Author's craft and structure play a role in the format of the book. The author's craft and structure rearranges the letters and words to make a shape. They also divide the book into the seasons, as the author wanted it. For example, one group of stanzas are shaped as a piano because the stanzas talk about how the narrator, Billie Jo, is playing piano in the Palace Theatre.
Does this format help you as a reader get into the story and understand the main character? Why or why not? How?
This format helps me as a reader get into the story and understand the main character. The structure and words that the author uses gives me a sense of what the main character is going through. The structure and words of the poem tell me what is going through the main character's mind.
The novel is organized in verses. It looks like a poem on each page. The author would arrange letters and the words to make some kind of shape. This is called a shape poem. That is unusual about the style that the author used to write down this novel. Also, the author would divide the novel into the seasons. And instead of paragraphs, the author would use verses or stanzas to organize the novel.
What is free verse? How does author's craft and structure play a role in the format of the book, how it is read and understood?
Free verse is poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter. Author's craft and structure play a role in the format of the book. The author's craft and structure rearranges the letters and words to make a shape. They also divide the book into the seasons, as the author wanted it. For example, one group of stanzas are shaped as a piano because the stanzas talk about how the narrator, Billie Jo, is playing piano in the Palace Theatre.
Does this format help you as a reader get into the story and understand the main character? Why or why not? How?
This format helps me as a reader get into the story and understand the main character. The structure and words that the author uses gives me a sense of what the main character is going through. The structure and words of the poem tell me what is going through the main character's mind.
Analyzing Point of View
What is the point of view of this novel?
The point of view of his novel is first person point of view.
How would the novel have been different if the father had narrated it?
The novel would be different if the father had narrated. The structure and words of the poem would be different. The readers would experience what is going through the mind of another person.
The point of view of his novel is first person point of view.
How would the novel have been different if the father had narrated it?
The novel would be different if the father had narrated. The structure and words of the poem would be different. The readers would experience what is going through the mind of another person.