"The Prince" consists of 26 chapters. The first 11 describe the various types of principalities, chapters 12-14 discuss the types of armies that exist, and chapters 15-24 - which provoked the most reactions - cover how princes should behave.

Chapter 25 examines the influence of fortune on political situations and chapter 26 is a call for the liberation and unification of Italy. The style of the work, simple and unadorned, is not what would suit a scholarly treatise of the time. The Latin titles of its chapters give it the tone of a systematic scientific work.

Machiavelli's language is often elliptical, using chain arguments, and frequently resorts to fictional dialogues with nonexistent interlocutors. He tries to present himself as a cold, indifferent, objective observer, presenting with scientific precision the laws that govern political life.

However, the author's passion is evident several times, and then a dramatic tone prevails, with strong approval or disapproval of individuals being expressed. He constantly refers to examples from ancient Greek and Roman history. He speaks of the ancients as if only a small distance separates him from them, as if they belong to the same temporal unity. He enjoys contrasts and generalizations. He dramatizes his observations and exaggerates his conclusions.