Ellison 1. What type of words draw your attention? Do they tend to be a particular part of speech, such as verbs, nouns, adjectives, or adverbs? Is the language general and abstract or specific and concrete? 2. Is the language formal, informal, colloquial, or slang? 3. Are some words nonliteral or figurative, creating figures of speech such as metaphors? 4. Are there words with strong connotations? Words with a particular emotional punch? When you analyze syntax, you might ask: 1. What is the order of the parts of the sentence? Is it the usual order (subjectverb-object), or is it inverted (object-subject-verb, or any other pattern that is out of the ordinary)? 2. What are the sentences like? Are they periodic (moving toward something important at the end) or cumulative (beginning with an important idea and then adding details)? 3. Are many of the sentences simple? Complex? Compound? Are the sentences on the long side, or are they short? 4. Does the writer ask questions? 5. How does the writer connect words, phrases, and clauses?