Explore the four writing styles, discover the nuances of each, and use these tips to craft your own.
Your writing style is a powerful tool for telling a story uniquely. It’s your creative fingerprint, showcasing your personality and unique form of expression. From the words you choose to the rhythm of your sentences, writing style is all about how you put things together. It sets you apart and creates connection, making your reader feel like they’re right there with you, experiencing your story. But what exactly constitutes writing style?
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What constitutes writing style?
When we talk about writing style, we’re basically talking about the various elements that collectively shape how you express yourself. These elements include:
- Word choice: Selecting the right words that convey your tone, mood, and intended meaning.
- Sentence structure: Think of this as the beat of the writing—the length, the complexity, and the rhythm, shaping how smoothly the words flow.
- Punctuation and grammar: The use of punctuation and grammar rules, which helps in clarity and emphasis within the writing.
- Narrative structure: How the story’s laid out—flashbacks, foreshadowing, or straight-up linear storytelling.
- Imagery and descriptions: The use of vivid descriptions and imagery that evoke sensory experiences in the reader’s mind.
- Dialogue and speech patterns: Making characters talk in a way that’s real, reflecting their personalities and keeping it authentic.
- Figurative language: Bringing in metaphors and similes for that extra flair, adding depth and color to the writing.
- Point of view: How you tell the story—first-person, third-person, or omniscient.
- Cultural and contextual influences: What cultural, historical, or societal contexts do you reference that influence the language and themes?
- Syntax: Playing around with word order in sentences, arranging them to give the writing a certain rhythm and impact.
- Economy and concision: Saying what needs to be said by avoiding unnecessary or verbose language.
- Context and purpose: Thinking about the big picture and the intended purpose of the writing, which influences both your style and your content.
The difference between voice and writing style
When it comes to writing skills, the two essential components are writing style and voice. They’re the dynamic duo of expression, each bringing something to the table.
Writing style deals with the technical side of things. Nuts and bolts like word choice, sentence structure, punctuation, and overall presentation. It acts as the framework, determining how a story is crafted. Style sets the tone, controls the narrative rhythm, and influences how information is conveyed.
Voice is the personality in the mix. It’s the author’s unique flavor, the “who” behind the words. It’s about attitude and individuality, making your writing recognizable even without a name attached. Voice encompasses tone, authenticity, and the emotional connection with the reader.
So, in a nutshell, writing style is the how-to of writing, the shaping of the story, while voice is the author’s personal stamp, making their writing stand out.
Types of writing styles
Think of writing styles as the artist’s palette for crafting narratives and delivering messages. Knowing these different styles of writing empowers you to play with language—whether it’s to inform, persuade, describe, or whisk readers away into captivating tales.
The main types of writing styles include:
- Expository writing style
- Descriptive writing style
- Persuasive writing style
- Narrative writing style
1. Expository writing style
Expository writing is a form of writing that focuses on delivering information, explaining concepts, or presenting ideas in a clear, concise manner. It aims to inform or educate the audience on a particular topic, and is often devoid of personal opinions, emotions, or biases. Expository writing relies on facts, evidence, and logical explanations to convey the intended message.
This style is commonly found in textbooks, reports, essays, and articles, where the primary goal is to explain complex subjects or ideas.
Examples of expository writing include:
Textbooks/Academic writing
Academic writing, including textbooks, academic papers, and research papers, adopts an expository style to present factual information, theories, or research findings in a structured and informative manner. It focuses on providing evidence-based insights to educate readers.
How-to articles
How-to articles employ expository writing to explain step-by-step processes or instructions, guiding readers on completing tasks or acquiring new skills in a clear, logical manner.
Recipes
In the culinary world, recipes use expository writing by providing precise instructions and ingredient lists in a clear format, enabling readers to replicate specific dishes accurately.
News stories or news articles
News articles and journalistic writing commonly employ an objective tone to present information straightforwardly and keep readers informed about current events. They achieve this through the use of facts, interviews, and research. For example, American journalistic styles (including newspapers such as The New York Times or the Washington Post) adhere to specific conventions and citation practices, ensuring accuracy and objectivity in any piece of writing.
Business writing
Expository writing in a business context involves clear, concise communication in memos, reports, or emails. It aims to convey information, instructions, or proposals to colleagues, clients, or stakeholders with precision and clarity.
Technical writing
Technical documents, manuals, or guides use an expository style to explain complex technical concepts or procedures to users or consumers. This writing style prioritizes clarity and comprehensibility in conveying technical information.
Scientific writing
Scientific writing follows an expository approach by presenting research findings, hypotheses, or experimental data in a systematic, evidence-based manner. It emphasizes objectivity, precision, and clarity to communicate scientific concepts to peers and the broader scientific community.
2. Descriptive writing style
Descriptive writing captivates readers by skillfully portraying scenes, events, or experiences through vivid sensory details, evocative language, and rich imagery. Its goal is to craft a detailed and immersive picture in the reader’s mind, employing sensory descriptions, figurative language, and precise details to evoke emotions, establish atmosphere, and engage the reader’s senses.
This writing style effectively appeals to the imagination, capturing sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures to create a vivid and immersive reading experience.
Examples of descriptive writing include:
Poetry
Descriptive writing flourishes in poetry, where vivid imagery, sensory details, and figurative language create evocative verses. Poets use descriptive elements to paint vivid pictures or express emotions through metaphorical language and sensory descriptions.
Journal or diary writing
In personal journals or diaries, descriptive writing captures personal experiences, feelings, and observations. It often employs vivid descriptions and detailed accounts to convey thoughts, emotions, and personal reflections. This writing style is also commonly found in personal essays.
Descriptions of nature
Nature writing extensively utilizes descriptive language to depict landscapes, environments, and natural phenomena. It immerses readers in the beauty of nature through vivid and sensory-rich descriptions.
Fiction writing or script writing
Descriptive writing serves a pivotal role in the realm of fiction, encompassing fictional novels, plays, screenwriting, and scripts. This style plays a key role in constructing immersive worlds and storylines, breathing life into characters, and crafting captivating scenes.
3. Persuasive writing style
Persuasive writing is often a formal writing style that aims to sway or convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint, take a specific action, or agree with a particular argument. It employs various techniques and strategies, including logical reasoning, emotional appeal, evidence, and persuasive language to influence the reader’s opinions or behavior.
This style often presents a strong and compelling argument while acknowledging and counteracting opposing views, aiming to create a convincing narrative.
Persuasive writing is commonly found in editorials, advertisements, speeches, and personal opinion pieces.
Examples of persuasive writing style include:
Cover letters
In job applications, cover letters utilize persuasive writing to highlight skills, qualifications, and experiences to convince employers of a candidate’s suitability for a position.
Copywriting
Copywriting in marketing and advertising employs persuasive language to influence consumer behavior, encouraging them to buy products or services by emphasizing benefits, solving problems, or creating desire.
Op-eds and opinion pieces
Op-eds and opinion pieces use persuasive writing to present personal viewpoints or arguments on societal issues, aiming to sway public opinion or prompt action.
Product reviews
Review writing incorporates persuasive elements to convince readers of a product’s merits or drawbacks, guiding purchasing decisions through detailed evaluations.
Letters of recommendation
Written in a persuasive style, letters of recommendation aim to advocate for an individual’s abilities, character, or qualifications to support their applications or endeavors.
Social media posts
Social media content often uses persuasive writing to engage and influence audiences, encouraging actions such as likes, shares, or purchases through persuasive language, visuals, or emotional appeals.
4. Narrative writing style
Narrative writing is a style that focuses on storytelling, weaving a sequence of events, characters, settings, and conflicts to create a cohesive and engaging narrative. It often follows a structured plot, including a beginning, middle, and end, and may incorporate various literary devices like dialogue, characterization, and descriptive language to captivate readers.
This style aims to entertain, inform, or engage the audience by immersing them in a compelling storyline, whether in fiction, non-fiction, novels, short stories, or memoirs. Narrative writing transports readers to different worlds, emotions, and experiences through its storytelling techniques.
Examples of narrative writing style include:
Oral histories
Narrative writing often involves recounting personal experiences, anecdotes, or oral histories that convey events, emotions, and insights from one’s life or others’, aiming to preserve stories and pass down knowledge through storytelling.
Novels or novellas
Long-form narrative writing appears in novels and novellas, presenting intricate plots, developed characters, and immersive worlds.
Poetry
Some narrative writing is expressed through poetry, especially in epic sagas or narrative poems, using poetic devices such as rhythm, meter, and vivid imagery.
Short Stories
Narrative writing takes concise forms in short stories, delivering complete, engaging narratives within a shorter framework, often focusing on a specific event, character, or theme.
Creative writing
Narrative writing is at the core of creative writing, encompassing a broad range of imaginative and expressive writing forms, such as fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, or speculative fiction.
Anecdotes
Anecdotes, brief narratives or accounts, are used in various contexts to illustrate a point, entertain, or provide examples, drawing on storytelling techniques to engage audiences and convey a specific message or experience. Autobiographies and memoirs are a good example of this style of writing.
How to develop your own writing style
Here are some practical steps to help you develop your own writing style and enhance your voice and creativity:
- Explore widely: Read a variety of genres, authors, and writing styles. See how famous authors employ different types of writing styles and writing techniques to connect with their target audience.
- Write regularly: Make writing a habit. Experiment with styles, tones, and topics. Discover what works for you and for your readers. It’s all about finding your own unique style through consistent practice.
- Find your voice: Be you. Write in a way that feels like home. Let your personality, thoughts, and experiences shine through. Your writing becomes uniquely yours when it’s authentically you.
- Experiment fearlessly: Don’t play it safe! In the beginning, you need to try out new stuff. Write for different purposes and audiences. Play around with your written words and be unafraid to change them. And while yes, you want to learn from the myriad of writing tips available, don’t be afraid to go against the grain (yes, you can use adverbs if you know what you’re doing!) English is an incredible language with a variety of tools. Use them!
- Identity influences: Who are the writers who speak to you? Figure out what makes their writing pop, and sprinkle a bit of that magic into your own writing.
- Trust the process: Crafting your unique style is a journey. It takes time and patience. Keep at it, and trust that your voice will find its way.
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Natasha Khullar Relph
Founder and Editor, The Wordling
Natasha Khullar Relph is an award-winning journalist and author with bylines in The New York Times, TIME CNN, BBC, ABC News, Ms. Marie Claire, Vogue, and more. She is the founder of The Wordling, a weekly business newsletter for journalists, authors, and content creators. Natasha has mentored over 1,000 writers, helping them break into dream publications and build six-figure careers. She is the author of Shut Up and Write: The No-Nonsense, No B.S. Guide to Getting Words on the Page and several other books.
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