1. Although Truman Capote intended In Cold Blood to be read as New Journalism and not in the traditional fictional style, In Cold Blood is anything but a traditional recap of a murder. Capote makes it clear that his narrative style is anything but conventional. Although definite beginning and concluding points are established in the novel, such as the reveal of the murder and the capture of Perry Smith and Hicock, the content in between alternates between detail about the characters and descriptions of their activites, such as descriptions of the tattoos of the killers. Such a format binds the images together well to create a vivid story with lasting impact.
2. When Capote put together his novel, he utilized elements that traditional fiction authors would employ. Foreshadowing is narration that presents elements or information about a plot point before it occurs. It comprises a large element of the storytelling. Foreshadowing builds anticipation throughout the novel. For example, the deaths of the Clutters are hinted at with lines similar to Herbert Clutter realizing that it was "his last day". This tension creates a sense of foreboding and unknowing about how exactly the events will unfold, but it creates forward motion with the plot in order to build interest throughout the events. Foreshadowing is built upon with direct quotations and extended dialogue.
3. Symbolism is intrinsic to the story. In Cold Blood has a tone of being nearly mythological in its dramatization of events. The story unfolds much like a Greek tale, a tale that unfolds "as gracefully as Greek temples are visible" (Page 3). It is crafted with traditionally Greek mythological themes of vengeance, murder, and the search for justice. In this way, Capote assembles symbols such as Perry Smith's painting of Jesus Christ to transcend the mere crime to epic proportions, taking the plot beyond a historical occurrence to include themes about loss and the suffering of tragic heros. The symbols of the coyote carcass reveal the mixture of maturity and childishness about Perry Smith. The angels that seek to avenge their injustices represent his disappointment with his childhood and his failure as an individual.