Monday, September 8, 2008

What is style?

Style refers to the choices a writer makes regarding word choice, phrasing, length of sentences, placement of punctuation, etc. A writer's style usually depends on what they are writing about, and is more or less different for each individual. It has to do with the language a writer uses, but also how they arrange their words and sentences in their writing.

It also depends on the medium for which they are writing. The style of writing for a fictional novel differs greatly from that of a textbook or a blog post. Style is often contoured by the writer to match the expectations of his or her readership--that is to say, those reading a magazine about psychology expect a certain style that is very different than those reading a magazine about sports. Style also is part personal preference. Many writers try to develop this over time, to find a style that is unique to them, which sets them apart.

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