Decoding Authorial Style:
How “We” Evaluated and Compared Seven Writers Across 100 Criteria
Have you ever wondered what makes a writer’s style instantly recognizable? Is it their choice of words, the rhythm of their sentences, or the themes they explore? Recently, I explored this idea by asking an AI assistant to help create a framework for analyzing and comparing the writing styles of different authors. Here’s what I discovered and how it unfolded.
The Challenge: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Writing Styles
The task was straightforward but ambitious: create a detailed framework for evaluating the stylistic elements that define an author’s writing. The goal was to use these criteria to compare seven notable authors (some of my favorites): Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Michael Lewis, Daniel Kahneman, Christopher Hitchens, Stephen Pinker, and Bill Bryson.
This wasn’t just about generic observations like “Hitchens is provocative” or “Lewis is narrative-driven.” Instead, I wanted a systematic way to break down their writing into quantifiable components, offering precise ratings for each author across 100 dimensions. These dimensions would cover everything from sentence structure to emotional tone, thematic focus, and rhetorical techniques.
The Process: Building and Applying the Framework
- Defining the Criteria The first step was to create a structured list of 100 criteria that could comprehensively capture the nuances of writing. These criteria were grouped into categories such as:
Voice and Tone (e.g., formality, emotional warmth, use of humor)
Sentence Structure (e.g., complexity, rhythmic variance, use of fragments)
Language and Diction (e.g., vocabulary richness, use of jargon or colloquialisms)
Imagery and Description (e.g., level of detail, use of metaphor)
Narrative and Structure (e.g., linearity, use of flashbacks, thematic consistency)
Rhetoric and Persuasion (e.g., logical appeals, emotional engagement, use of analogies)
2. Each criterion was designed to measure a specific stylistic trait on a scale from 1 to 100.
3. Rating the Authors Using the framework, the AI assistant generated ratings for all seven authors based on their writing style. For example:
Richard Dawkins scored highly on “Precision of Word Choice” and “Logical Appeals,” reflecting his scientific clarity.
Christopher Hitchens excelled in “Degree of Irony or Humor” and “Intensity of Persuasion,” underscoring his rhetorical flair.
Bill Bryson stood out in “Emotional Warmth” and “Conversational Tone,” capturing his engaging, accessible style.
3. Structuring the Output
The ratings were organized into a detailed table with the proper names of each criterion included for clarity. This allowed for side-by-side comparisons, revealing the unique stylistic fingerprints of each author.
The Insights: What Makes These Writers Unique?
The exercise offered fascinating insights into the artistry of writing:
Dawkins vs. Dennett: Both are intellectual heavyweights, but while Dawkins favors crisp, persuasive prose, Dennett leans into philosophical depth and accessibility.
Lewis vs. Bryson: Lewis excels in crafting compelling narratives, while Bryson’s humor and relatability shine through.
Hitchens vs. Pinker: Hitchens’ style is razor-sharp and confrontational, whereas Pinker’s writing is analytical and explanatory.
Why This Matters
Understanding writing styles isn’t just an academic exercise. It can help:
Writers refine their craft by identifying traits they admire in others.
Editors provide targeted feedback based on quantifiable dimensions.
Readers appreciate the subtle choices that make their favorite authors so distinctive.
Conclusion: A Tool for Creativity and Analysis
By breaking down writing into 100 measurable criteria, we’ve created a tool that goes beyond subjective impressions. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a literature enthusiast, or simply curious about the mechanics of great writing, this framework offers a new way to think about the art and science of prose.
Would you like to evaluate your own writing? I created a free custom AI for you to do just that.
Here is the link: Decoding Authorial Style GPT
Just go to this custom AI and enter a piece of writing.
Please share in the comments any insights or surprises!