Copying to improve style

This is an exercise I have come across in several different books. The writer is asked to copy a selected segment — a few paragraphs, a scene, or a chapter — from a favorite author's novel, preferably a best seller. By copying, I mean to handwrite out these selections. Of course, this is not for using in the writer's own manuscript, but for study.

How does copying text from a favorite novel help the writer? In his book You Can Write a Novel, James V. Smith, Jr. says this teaches several lessons. First, it helps the writer to master simple mechanics such as punctuation. Secondly, it helps the writer learn publishing conventions of the genre from which the writer is using. For example, it gives the writer a perspective on chapter length and scene to scene transitions. Next, it helps the writer create images with either much detail or a few specific word pictures. Also, it helps the writer study dialogue. Lastly, it helps the writer build scenes by building conflict, suspense and character motivation.

The idea behind copying writing is to develop prose style. The writer might benefit by performing this exercise a few times before writing a draft of a short story or novel. It can also be repeated on those occasions when writer's block seems to be tightening the writer's hand and throat. "As a method of studying writing," says Smith, "I have found none better. It works. It will teach more about professional, salable writing than any three college courses or any five writing handbooks."

Assignment: The following exercise is from Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton. "Choose a book, a short story or an article from your favorite writer, one whose work is at least fifty years old. Select a favorite passage and type it out. Try to analyze how the sentences work. Compare it with a piece of your own that uses similar material, paying particular attention to how you both handle the elements listed below.

1. Scenery descriptions (active or passive?)
2. Dialogue
3. Flashbacks or backstory
4. Dialogue tags or attibutions
5. Use of adverbs and adjectives
6. Use of punctuation and grammar
7. Elaborate transitions
8. Andy idiosyncrasy that seems archaic or 'odd' to you"