Riis structures his work methodically, dissecting a different aspect of tenement life in each chapter. This aspect of his style lends itself well to persuasive writing, as each section builds upon and deepens the arguments made in earlier sections. Riis builds his body of evidence strategically and gradually, detailing the history of tenement development before delving into the modern day and his personal experiences.
Though Riis takes an informative, journalistic approach to tenement reform in How the Other Half Lives, he does not by any means neglect the more literary aspects of writing as he formulates his argument. Often, the prose he utilizes is heavily inflated, rich with metaphor and vivid imagery as he gives detailed descriptions of the horrors and abuses of tenement life. This dense, highly literary prose is less common in journalism than in other forms of writing—principally because journalists strive to become unbiased, objective communicators of important factual evidence to the public. Though this is an ideal, and as such is rarely carried out perfectly by the news media, it is a standard many journalists try to adhere to. Riis, however, is not simply reporting: he is a crusader, intent on instituting change. Literary language is one of his persuasive tools.
