What Is Style?
Style is the way you do something. The way you choose words and string words and sentences together is your writing style. Each person's writing style is unique. Your style may vary over time - and it may vary from one piece of writing to another - but it will always reflect you. Writers often find that the more they write and the more their confidence grows, the stronger and more distinctive their writing style becomes. The variations of style from writer to writer are influenced to some extent by the different purposes for writing. Journalistic style tends to be simpler and more straightforward; literary style, more elaborate and indirect; and academic style more formal.
Elements of Style
Sentence Structure
Certain aspects of sentence structure define your writing style. Sentence structure includes the length of sentences, the variety of sentence types, and the arrangement of the words within the sentences.
Diction
Your word choice also helps to determine your style. Do you choose the plainer word brave or the less familiar word intrepid? Do you prefer to use the conversational, second-person pronoun "you" or the more formal pronoun "one"? Do you have favorite words or expressions that you use?
Imagery
Do you describe things in a direct, literal way? Or do you draw on figures of speech to color your description?
Mechanics
Would you be able to write an essay or short story without using the exclamation point? Are you fond of the dash? The way you use punctuation and capitalization is also a part of your writing style.
Tone
What is your attitude toward the subject you are writing about? sympathetic? curious? lighthearted? ironic? outraged? The way you feel about your subject influences the language you use.
Voice
Voice is the sound of your words. Voice is closely related to all the previously mentioned elements of style. How do you put your voice into your writing? The following guidelines will help.
Using Effective Diction
A strong writing style is based on accurate word choice. The time you spend searching for just the right word is time well spent. Effective diction does more than simply achieve clear communication. The right word can crystallize an image, evoke a feeling, or ignite an idea.
Choose Precise Words
Do not choose dog when terrier, poodle, or Irish setter will convey more accurately what you want to describe. Whenever possible, replace generalities with specifics. Avoid vague expressions such as a lot, great, interesting and thing.
Vague When the fighter planes arrived, it was clear that the situation was changing.
Revised When the F-4's roared overhead, it was obvious that the skirmish was escalating.
Use Effective Nouns and Verbs
Good writing is not achieved by piling on modifiers. Good writing results from choosing strong nouns and strong verbs. Take the time to think of just the right noun or verb, rather than try to prop up a weak choice with modifiers.
Weak The foreign distance runner increased his speed and moved to the front of the small group.
Stronger The British miler surged to the front of the pack.
Don't Get Stung by the Be's
Think twice about using be or any of its various forms, such as is, are, was, and were. Although these verbs are sometimes essential, they can result in weaker sentences. Whenever possible, use action verbs.
Weak He was there on time.
Stronger He arrived on time.
Avoid Expletives
An expletive is a word that is used only to start a sentence. Using there and here as sentence starters usually results in weaker sentences.
Weak There are three geese swimming in the pond.
Stronger Three geese are swimming in the pond.
Avoid Redundancy
Redundancy is unnecessary repetition, such as red in color or short in height. Look for redundancies that creep into your language. The lists below show the redundancy on the left and the better version on the right.
Avoid Gobbledygook
The members of most professions develop their own specialized vocabulary called jargon, which can help those members communicate efficiently. However, when jargon is used in communication to people outside that particular profession, then often the result is confusion. The unnecessary, inappropriate use of jargon is called gobbledygook. Gobbledygook also includes any long words used needlessly to "dress up" a sentence.
Gobbledygook George has the capability to interface effectively with the supervisory personnel.
Plain English George gets along well with his boss.
Avoid Cliches
Phrases that have been so overused that they now sound flat are called cliches. Here are several to avoid.
last but not least complete shock tension mounts
rude awakening pretty as a picture nip in the bud
cute as a button add insult to injury few and far between
blind as a bat in the nick of time ladder of success
Choose Precise Words
Do not choose dog when terrier, poodle, or Irish setter will convey more accurately what you want to describe. Whenever possible, replace generalities with specifics. Avoid vague expressions such as a lot, great, interesting and thing.
Vague When the fighter planes arrived, it was clear that the situation was changing.
Revised When the F-4's roared overhead, it was obvious that the skirmish was escalating.
Use Effective Nouns and Verbs
Good writing is not achieved by piling on modifiers. Good writing results from choosing strong nouns and strong verbs. Take the time to think of just the right noun or verb, rather than try to prop up a weak choice with modifiers.
Weak The foreign distance runner increased his speed and moved to the front of the small group.
Stronger The British miler surged to the front of the pack.
Don't Get Stung by the Be's
Think twice about using be or any of its various forms, such as is, are, was, and were. Although these verbs are sometimes essential, they can result in weaker sentences. Whenever possible, use action verbs.
Weak He was there on time.
Stronger He arrived on time.
Avoid Expletives
An expletive is a word that is used only to start a sentence. Using there and here as sentence starters usually results in weaker sentences.
Weak There are three geese swimming in the pond.
Stronger Three geese are swimming in the pond.
Avoid Redundancy
Redundancy is unnecessary repetition, such as red in color or short in height. Look for redundancies that creep into your language. The lists below show the redundancy on the left and the better version on the right.
- new innovation innovation
- necessary prerequisite prerequisite
- fellow colleague colleague
Avoid Gobbledygook
The members of most professions develop their own specialized vocabulary called jargon, which can help those members communicate efficiently. However, when jargon is used in communication to people outside that particular profession, then often the result is confusion. The unnecessary, inappropriate use of jargon is called gobbledygook. Gobbledygook also includes any long words used needlessly to "dress up" a sentence.
Gobbledygook George has the capability to interface effectively with the supervisory personnel.
Plain English George gets along well with his boss.
Avoid Cliches
Phrases that have been so overused that they now sound flat are called cliches. Here are several to avoid.
last but not least complete shock tension mounts
rude awakening pretty as a picture nip in the bud
cute as a button add insult to injury few and far between
blind as a bat in the nick of time ladder of success