This article is about writing prose. For writing style guides, see style guide. Writing style reveals the personality, thoughts, and voice of a writer in his or her prose. Effective writing style depends upon a combination of the following: audience, type of writing, punctuation, word choice, sentence construction, and overall presentation. Style guides generally give guidance on language use. ...
Active voice The active voice, rather than the passive, lends itself more readily to concise, concrete sentences. In grammar, the voice of a verb describes the relationship between the action (or state) that the verb expresses and the participants identified by its arguments (subject, object, etc. ...
Passive: The truck was overloaded by the workmen
Active: The workmen overloaded the truck.
Use the passive sparingly, and even then only when your intent is to call attention to the object, rather than the agent. For example, given your relationship to the victim, you might want to say My mother was murdered last night! rather than Somebody murdered my mother last night.
Also, don't confuse using the passive voice with using simple to be verbs: The pancakes were delicious. is a perfectly passable sentence, as is You know, you cooked up some delicious flapjacks.
Audience Writers will adjust their styles depending upon the audience and the type of writing. Poetry will contain more imagery and description than prose. A letter of complaint is different from a letter of condolence, which is different from a letter of business. An audience is a group of people who participate in an experience or encounter a work of art, literature, theatre, music or academics in any medium. ...
This article is about the art form. ...
Prose is writing distinguished from poetry by its greater variety of rhythm and its closer resemblance to the patterns of everyday speech. ...
When someone condoles, or offers their condolences to, a particular situation or person, they are offering active, conscious support of that person or activity. ...
A business letter is a letter written in formal language (English), usually used when writing from one business organization to another, or for correspondence between such organizations and their customers, clients and other external parties. ...
Balanced sentences A balanced sentence contains similar structures in all its parts. It also expresses balanced ideas.
Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures. (Samuel Johnson) Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
For other persons named Samuel Johnson, see Samuel Johnson (disambiguation). ...
Thus the Puritan was made up of two different men, the one all self-abasement, penitence, gratitude, passion; the other proud, calm, inflexible, sagacious.(Thomas Babington Macaulay) Quotes His imagination resembled the wings of an ostrich. ...
Conciseness Concise writing cuts to the point. It is clear. It is brisk. And it makes for exciting reading. Cut any words that add nothing to a passage's meaning.
Wordy: Johnny decided to buy the watch because he couldn't find another that was any less expensive.
Concise: Johnny bought the watch because he couldn't find another for less.
More concise: Johnny bought the watch because it was cheapest.
Conciseness is not an absolute virtue; organization, varied sentence structure and simple coherence may sometimes counsel against cutting down a sentence. And never favor conciseness over meaning---if your point is that Johnny is a diligent lad who searched the watches available before choosing one, then use the concise sentence, not the more concise sentence. Where conciseness becomes the organizing principle, the result can veer toward the laconic.
Connotation The connotation of a word refers to the special associations, apart from its dictionary definition, that it may convey. The word dog may recall friendship to one reader, but terror to another. Using connotation in a strategic manner, a writer can achieve subtle and exact effects. A lap dog may suggest sophistication; a hound dog may suggest amusement; a cur may suggest social distinctions.
Even words that are synonyms may have different connotations: slender, thin, skinny may each convey different images to the reader's mind. The writer should choose the connotation, positive, negative, or neutral, that supports the mood.
Connotation varies with audience; writing for the learned, connotation may be a matter of etymology (the silent infantry) or allusion (she raised the glass of red wine with rosy fingers); writing for schoolbooks, wariness of caviling (Napoleon was a bigger influence than Frederick the Great on world history provoking But how could Napoleon be bigger when he was so short?); writing for encyclopedias, of using authoritative and dispassionate words (controversial, significant, &c.)
Conversational quality A conversational tone in writing may help the reader more easily grasp what the writer is trying to say. Flowery language sounds more elegant but occasionally has less clarity.
Flowery: These United States
Conversational: the United States
Flowery: in the year of 1976
Conversational: in 1976
Flowery: at this point in time
Conversational: now
Figurative language Using figures of speech, like simile, metaphor, metonymy, or synecdoche, can help a writer say something in an interesting way when ordinary language may seem dry. A mixed metaphor may detract from writing style. A figure of speech, sometimes termed a rhetorical figure or device, or elocution, is a word or phrase that departs from straightforward, literal language. ...
A simile is a comparison of two unlike things, typically marked by use of like, as, than, or resembles. Examples may include the snow was as thick as a blanket, or she was as smart as a crow, or the usage of emotions similes like madder than a bull fast...
This article is about metaphor in literature and rhetoric. ...
In rhetoric, metonymy is the substitution of one word for another word with which it is associated. ...
Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which: a term denoting a part of something is used to refer to the whole thing, or a term denoting a thing (a whole) is used to refer to part of it, or a term denoting a specific class of thing (a species...
Mixed metaphor: When put to the acid test, his principles were found to be as ignorant as a donkey.
Better: When put to the acid test, his principles dissolved.
Fresh language Good writing style uses original and fresh words. It avoids clichés, which are overused, trite expressions that have lost their impact in meaning. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...
cliché: Some people can relate to the hustle and bustle of city life.
fresh: Some people thrive on the energy and motion of city life.
cliché: She is pretty as a picture.
fresh: Her amber eyes and radiant red hair overwhelmed me.
Imitation The Elements of Style endorses imitation as a way for a writer to achieve his own style: The Elements of Style, 2000 edition. ...
- The use of language begins with imitation . . . The imitative life continues long after the writer is on their own in the language, for it is almost impossible to avoid imitating what one admires. Never imitate consciously, but do not worry about being an imitator; take pains instead to admire what is good. Then when you write in a way that comes naturally, you will echo the halloos that bear repeating.
Loose and periodic sentences The writer can alternate between loose sentences and periodic sentences to achieve variety. Loose sentences, the most frequently used, begin with the main point:
Uncle Tom's Cabin is a very bad novel, having its self-righteous, virtuous sentimentality, much in common with Little Women. (James Baldwin) James Baldwin may refer to: James Baldwin (editor and author) (1841–1925) James Baldwin (writer) (1924–1987) James Baldwin (baseball player) (born 1971) J. Baldwin (born 1934), industrial designer, author, educator James Mark Baldwin (1861–1934), philosopher and psychologist Category: ...
Periodic sentences place the main thought at the end of the sentence:
Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison. (Henry David Thoreau) Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862; born David Henry Thoreau[1]) was an American author, naturalist, transcendentalist, tax resister, development critic, and philosopher who is best known for Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay, Civil Disobedience, an argument for individual resistance...
There is one thing above all others that the scientist has a duty to teach to the public and to governments: it is the duty of heresy. (Jacob Bronowski) Jacob Bronowski (January 18, 1908, Åódź, Congress Poland, Russian Empire - August 22, 1974, East Hampton, New York, USA) was an English-Polish mathematician, best known as the presenter of the BBC television documentary series, The Ascent of Man. ...
Nouns and verbs Writing with nouns and verbs, as opposed to adjectives and adverbs can strengthen writing style. Specific nouns and powerful verbs can make writing more concise and vivid. A noun, or noun substantive, is a word or phrase that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance or quality. ...
A verb is a part of speech that usually denotes action (bring, read), occurrence (to decompose (itself), to glitter), or a state of being (exist, live, soak, stand). Depending on the language, a verb may vary in form according to many factors, possibly including its tense, aspect, mood and voice. ...
An adjective is a part of speech which modifies a noun, usually making its meaning more specific. ...
An adverb is a part of speech that normally serves to modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, clauses, and sentences. ...
Weak: In 1850, 21-year-old Levi Strauss went from New York to San Francisco.
Vivid: In 1850, 21-year-old Levi Strauss traveled from New York to San Francisco.
Weak: The shrieking Arctic gales sent needles of ice into their faces.
Vivid: The shrieking Arctic gales shot needles of ice into their faces.
Practice A writer needs to develop his skills through practice. Writing style cannot be forced; it emerges over time through practice. William Zinsser says writing style is not a commodity. "You will reach for gaudy similes and tinseled adjectives, as if style were something you could buy at the style store and drape onto your words in bright decorator colors . . . there is no style store; style is organic to the person doing the writing, as much a part of him as his hair, or if he is bald, his lack of it. Trying to add style is like adding a toupee. At first glance the formerly bald man looks young and even handsome. But at second glance . . . he doesn't look quite right." William Zinsser (b. ...
Simile is an Italian musical term meaning similarly; it indicates that the performer should continue to apply the preceding directive, whatever it was. ...
An adjective is a part of speech which modifies a noun, usually making its meaning more specific. ...
Punctuation Writing style is influenced by punctuation. A writer should use punctuation in a wise manner to achieve the intended effect. Punctuation used poorly could confuse the reader. Keep the following punctuation caveats in mind. The term punctuation has two different linguistic meanings: in general, the act and the effect of punctuating, i. ...
- A period shows a full separation of between ideas.
Mary woke up early. She showered, ate breakfast, and took a walk. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Mary woke up early, but she only lay in bed until noon. The term comma has various uses; comma is the name used for one of the punctuation symbols: , The term comma is also used in music theory for various small intervals that arise as differences between approximately equal intervals. ...
A conjunction is a part of speech that connects two words, phrases, or clauses together. ...
- A semicolon reveals that the second sentence completes what idea was started in the first sentence. It suggests a link between the two sentences, but leaves the reader to interpret the connection.
Mary woke up early; her depression kept her from actually getting out of bed. A semicolon ( ; ) is a punctuation mark. ...
In linguistics, a sentence is a unit of language, characterized in most languages by the presence of a finite verb. ...
- A semicolon and a conjunctive adverb, such as however or moreover, show the relationship between ideas: addition, consequence, contrast, cause and effect, time, emphasis, or addition.
Mary woke up depressed; nevertheless, she got out of bed, showered, ate breakfast, and took a walk. - A conjunctive adverb is stressed when it is preceded by an independent clause ending with a period rather than a semicolon.
Mary woke up depressed. Nevertheless, she got out of bed, showered, ate breakfast, and took a walk. In grammar, an independent clause (or main clause) is a clause that can stand by itself as a grammatically viable simple sentence. ...
Punctuation developed to represent prosody and must bow to the way a sentence reads aloud. Omit marks where you would not say them, add them where you would, and keep to the rules where you are not sure.
Sentence length Sentence length may influence writing style. A parade of short sentences may be considered monotonous and fail to show the relationship of ideas:
Overpopulation is becoming a problem. Alaska is not thickly populated. Many people may move there. It has vast open lands.
By using a variety of sentence structures and lengths, the writer may make his meaning more clear:
Alaska, a relatively unpopulous state, has vast open lands which may attract many people in this time of overpopulation.
Sentence opening Using a variety of ways to open a sentence may keep the writer's work from being monotonous. Different ways to begin a sentence may include: In grammar, a preposition is a word that establishes a relationship between an object (usually a noun phrase) and some other part of the sentence, often expressing a location in place or time. ...
An adverb is a part of speech that normally serves to modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, clauses, and sentences. ...
A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) cannot stand alone as a sentence. ...
Broadly conceived, linguistics is the study of human language, and a linguist is someone who engages in this study. ...
Sentence purpose Good writing style can be achieved by using a variety of sentence purposes. Instead of using all declarative sentences, which state facts, the writer could use: - interrogative sentences-asks a question. (Have you ever considered doing volunteer work?)
- imperative sentences-gives a command (Do not assume the administration does not know what is happening.)
- exclamatory sentences-expresses strong feeling. (How dare he try to use his political power to force his beliefs upon us!)
Sentence structure Improved writing style can be achieved through using the different types of sentence structures: A simple sentence contains one subject and one verb. ...
In the English language, a compound sentence is composed of at least two independent clauses, but no dependent clauses. ...
A complex sentence is a sentence with an independent clause and at least one dependent clause (subordinating clause). ...
In syntax, a sentence with at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses is referred to as a complex-compound sentence. ...
Simplicity In writing style, using the simpler, more common word over the lesser-known word is preferable. "Avoid the elaborate, the pretentious, the coy, and the cute. Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready and able." (Elements of Style) Similarly, as is explained under the heading "Nouns and verbs", above, single words of more exacting definition are for simplicity's sake generally preferred over descriptive adjective-noun, adverb-adjective, or adverb-verb pairs, even if this should result in more syllables, such as the use of a pentasyllabic noun with a definition that precisely fits the meaning one wishes to convey instead of a vague, monosyllabic adjective describing a more semantically imprecise, monosyllabic noun: For example, the single adjective monosyllabic is generally prefered over the adverb-adjective one-syllable — except for very young readers — even though the former is one more syllable than the latter. While this situation might to some seem opposite rather than similar to the aforementioned preference of not using a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center available to do the same job, limiting that preference to choices between options using equal numbers of words and prefering fewer, less ambiguous words discourages eloquent variation and will ultimately make prose more concise without sacrificing meaning for brevity. Hence the saying, "use as many words as you need, but no more." The Elements of Style (the little book – 1918) is an American English writing style guide detailing seven elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition and a few matters of form and commonly misused expressions. ...
Specific and concrete words A writer who uses vague, fuzzy language may leave the reader confused or even bored. Using concrete words over abstract concepts may help the reader interpret the writer's intentions more accurately.
Weak: A car went around the corner.
Vivid: A battered blue Mustang careened around the corner.
Writing Modes The type of writing, or rhetorical mode, dictates the writing style. Most writing can be broken down into four modes: Rhetorical modes (also known as modes of discourse) describe the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing; four of the most common rhetorical modes and their purpose are exposition, argumentation, description, and narration. ...
- Exposition–a genre of writing in which the purpose of the author is to inform, explain, describe or define his or her subject to the reader.
- Narration–storytelling, as found in short stories, novels, drama, and personal accounts.
- Argumentation–the writer tries to persuade the reader to agree to a new belief or to take a course of action. Also called persuasive writing.
- Description–the writer uses sensory details to show the reader what is being written about.
Expository writing is a mode of writing in which the purpose of the author is to inform, explain, describe, or define his or her subject to the reader. ...
Illustration of a scribe writing Writing, in its most common sense, is the preservation of and the preserved text on a medium, with the use of signs or symbols. ...
In fiction, a narrator is a voice or character who tells the story. ...
This article is in need of attention. ...
This article is about the literary concept. ...
This does not cite any references or sources. ...
Persuasive writing is used to convince the reader of the writer’s argument. ...
Bibliography - Fawcett, Susan (2004). Evergreen: A Guide to Writing With Readings. Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-618-27387-5.
- Polking, Kirk (1990). Writing A to Z. Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-556-7.
- Rozakis, Laurie (2003). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style, 2nd Edition. Alpha. ISBN 1-59257-115-8
- Shaw, Harry (1965). A Complete Course in Freshman English. Harper & Row.
- Strunk, William and E. B. White. (1959). The Elements of Style. MacMillan Publishing Co. ISBN 0-02-418220-6.
- Watkins, Floyd C., William B. Dillingham, and Edwin T. Martin. (1974). Practical English Handbook. Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-395-16822-8.
- Williams, Joseph (2007) Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace. Pearson Longman ISBN 032-147935-1 ISBN 978-032-147935-8
- Zinsser, William (2001). On Writing Well. Quill. ISBN 0-06-000664-1.
See also For other uses, see Fiction (disambiguation). ...
Fiction writing consists of fashioning works of prose based on the imagination that could possibly be published in literary form. ...
Prose is writing distinguished from poetry by its greater variety of rhythm and its closer resemblance to the patterns of everyday speech. ...
Show, dont tell is an admonition given to beginning writers who use too much exposition instead of using action and dialogue. ...
Style guides generally give guidance on language use. ...
Writers voice is a literary term used to describe the individual writing style of an author. ...
Illustration of a scribe writing Writing, in its most common sense, is the preservation of and the preserved text on a medium, with the use of signs or symbols. ...
In literary criticism, stream of consciousness is a literary technique which seeks to portray an individuals point of view by giving the written equivalent of the characters thought processes. ...
External links - Study Skills Online: Writing Style
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