  The general structure of the cross section of $\gamma N$ scattering with
polarized photon and/or nucleon in initial and/or final state is systematically
described and exposed through invariant amplitudes. A low-energy expansion of
the cross section up to and including terms of order $\omega^4$ is given which
involves ten structure parameters of the nucleon (dipole, quadrupole,
dispersion, and spin polarizabilities). Their physical meaning is discussed in
detail. Using fixed-t dispersion relations, predictions for these parameters
are obtained and compared with results of chiral perturbation theory. It is
emphasized that Compton scattering experiments at large angles can fix the most
uncertain of these structure parameters. Predictions for the cross section and
double-polarization asymmetries are given and the convergence of the expansion
is investigated. The feasibility of the experimental determination of some of
the struture parameters is discussed.
