Every author has a basic writing style. Style is not what an author writes, but the manner in which she writes it. It is an author’s unique way of communicating ideas. One might say that style is the verbal identity of a writer. An author defines her style in word choice and syntax (the order of words in a sentence).
What are some of the elements of style?
Style involves sentence length, be it simple noun/verb sentences or long sentences filled with modifiers. It relates to an author’s liberal or conservative use of sensory details that involve some or all five senses. Use or nonuse of figurative language, metaphors and similes speaks to style. Some authors focus on sound devices such as alliteration, onomatopoeia and rhythm.
While every author has a personal style of writing, that style is not static. The author refines it through reading a variety of writers and through his own writing experiences.
More writing tips:
What is Theme in Literature?
Developing Characters is No Mystery
Author’s Voice: How to find it?
Global Mysteries 
Good one, Nancy!
LikeLike
By: Richard W Scott on July 29, 2010
at 8:31 pm
I agree with Rik, thanks Nancy.
LikeLike
By: theonlycin on July 29, 2010
at 9:41 pm
Succinct definition. Thanks.
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on July 30, 2010
at 12:41 am
After reading your post I realize I do have a style. My style is okay but improvement is always a good thing. Thank you for your helpful post. I will be looking at my style as I continue writing.
LikeLike
By: Carol Ann Hoel on July 30, 2010
at 3:47 am
How would you distinguish literary style from “author’s voice”?
It seems they must overlap or be synonymous.
LikeLike
By: nrhatch on July 30, 2010
at 5:48 am
I think you have a good point. There is some overlap in literary style and voice. However, style is related more to the mechanics of writing—punctuation and how the prose looks on the page in the sense of a flow, a rhythm, a cadence, vocabulary, lexicon, and slang. I equate voice more with feeling. When an author writes a sentence or phrase that feels perfect, that is the author’s voice. An author could write a phrase using perfect language mechanics and still not experience that wonderful “Ah Ha” feeling.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on July 30, 2010
at 11:02 am
May I suggest that the ‘author’s voice’ must combine in some way both theme and style.
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on July 30, 2010
at 7:54 am
That is a great observation. I agree completely. Theme and style are important elements of voice.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on July 30, 2010
at 10:47 am
Yeah! What you want to say, and how you say it. Can’t think of anything else though, unless you break down the style into it’s various components, like plot, diction, character, etc. which I believe are all ‘elements’ of style.
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on July 30, 2010
at 10:56 am
Good point. I would add the element of how the author feels about what she has written. This is voice It comes from the heart of the author, not from dictated writing standards. See comment above.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on July 30, 2010
at 11:07 am
Nancy,
Thanks for your post.
LikeLike
By: Mstrongair on July 30, 2010
at 12:52 pm
You are Welcome.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on July 30, 2010
at 5:25 pm
By George I think I’ve got it . . . Author’s Voice is the umbrella over the components of Literary Style and Theme.
Thanks for the clarification, L & N!
LikeLike
By: nrhatch on July 30, 2010
at 1:17 pm
Yeah! I go with that nrhatch. But Nancy Curteman raised a good point about the emotional element of ‘knowing’ when you’ve ‘got it right’ as far as your concerned. But this may be the recognition that you have indeed succeeded in making your voice heard, or at least believe you have as far as you’re concerned. So maybe that would fall within the ‘why’ rather than the ‘what’ and ‘how’: maybe like “I am so glad I have grown as a writer/person” A metaphysical success story, perhaps. (Almost good as having a best seller in the market place, or winning a novel prize for literature…. pretty good ‘why’s there!
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on July 30, 2010
at 1:50 pm
If I’m close on the ‘why of winning the “Nobel’ Prize’, then the why doesn’t involve the actual writing or planning or philosophy of what goes into the writing. Maybe then it’s extra-curricular, so to speak…..unless you write just to write…..This is getting too complicated….
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on July 30, 2010
at 1:53 pm
Just work up with idea: The voice is WHO I am. And yes, Nancy Cureteman, sometimes you get that emotional feeling that you ‘have discovered yourself’.
So Who I am is what and how I say why I do, grin grin. Where and When will have to wait awhile……
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on July 31, 2010
at 12:41 am
Error: Just woke up with this idea. Nrhatch- I’m ‘awake’ on this one. Will write blog maybe, when I feel I have found my ‘blogging’ voice. i.e. when I wake up. Then perhaps I will not ‘feel’ it is too ‘competitive’ for me. Thanks.
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on July 31, 2010
at 12:53 am
Loreen, I don’t see blogging as a competitive activity. I blog because I like it. All the posts I make serve an interest I have, a need to learn, a desire to express my views. It pleases me when others indicate an interest in what I have to say, but it isn’t essential. My initial reason for blogging was to establish a platform to market my three novels, but as I continued blogging, this goal became secondary to the satisfaction I feel from researching and expressing my views.
I really enjoy reading your thoughtful comments. I think you are a fine blogger. Try not to worry about competition. Just blog the way you want and about what you want. Most important, have fun.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on July 31, 2010
at 8:53 am
Thank you, very much for your encouragement. Both you and nrhatch. I had a feeling that the word ‘competition’ would draw some remarks. That’s why I put it in apostrophe. I did say that was the way I felt. It is a social activity. As I pointed out, I even keep my girl friends at a distance. I need my privacy and independence. I have had the good fortune in my life to not need employment for about forty years. So I studied. I’m a bit of a recluse.
So I see blogging as necessarily, involving for me, the expected assumptions, and guidelines of the social, cultural factor. For this I used the word competition, because being personally involved, means or entails the need to live up to certain expectations, whether cultural or social. But if I just ‘drop by’ I don’t feel the pressure to conform in any way, shape or form. Like I said, it’s my personal take on expectations of others. It keeps me more ‘stress free’ to feel like I can come and go; whether or not my comments are accepted or not does not have such an impact on me, because I am in ‘a different head space’. I don’t feel I have to live up to any standard, real or imaginary. That’s what I mean by ‘competition’. When I’m alone or think I am I am ‘out of it’. I have quite a bit on my platter rewriting the book. I have just decided to make that my focus, hopefully to at least finish that. Thank you again for your concern.
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on July 31, 2010
at 9:23 am
Thanks for the clarification. I have a better understanding now.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on July 31, 2010
at 11:37 am
[…] What is Literary Style? […]
LikeLike
By: How Do Conflict and Crisis Differ in a Mystery Novel? « Global Mysteries on August 14, 2010
at 4:56 pm
[…] to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? Developing Characters is No Mystery Author’s Voice: How to […]
LikeLike
By: How Important is Conflict in a Mystery Story? « Global Mysteries on August 14, 2010
at 5:12 pm
[…] A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? Developing Characters is No Mystery Author’s Voice: How to […]
LikeLike
By: How to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on August 14, 2010
at 5:15 pm
[…] What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? Developing Characters is No Mystery Author’s Voice: How to find it? Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Setting: Know It WellMystery Novels, A Popular Genre3 Plot-Driven Mystery AuthorsAdding clues for you to find […]
LikeLike
By: Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on August 14, 2010
at 5:19 pm
[…] 9, 2010 Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel Posted by: nancycurteman on July 31, 2010 What is Literary Style? Posted by: nancycurteman on July 29, 2010 What is Theme in Literature? Posted by: nancycurteman […]
LikeLike
By: 4 Do’s and Don’ts of “Show, Don’t Tell” « Global Mysteries on August 15, 2010
at 12:53 pm
[…] Ways to Create Tension in a Mystery Novel7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest SleuthWhat is Literary Style?What is Theme in Literature?The Guillotine, A Humane Execution MachineHow to Create Minor Characters […]
LikeLike
By: 9 Ways to Create Tension in a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on August 18, 2010
at 8:17 pm
[…] to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 […]
LikeLike
By: How to Create Sympathetic Mystery Novel Character « Global Mysteries on August 23, 2010
at 8:22 pm
[…] to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 […]
LikeLike
By: How to Write Character Arc in a Mystery Novel? « Global Mysteries on August 26, 2010
at 9:08 pm
[…] to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 […]
LikeLike
By: How to Edit a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on August 31, 2010
at 11:43 am
[…] to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 […]
LikeLike
By: Global Mysteries on October 7, 2010
at 4:05 pm
[…] to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 […]
LikeLike
By: 6 Ways to Avoid “Information Dumps” in a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on October 11, 2010
at 7:57 pm
[…] to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 […]
LikeLike
By: How to Write a Mystery Novel Synopsis « Global Mysteries on October 28, 2010
at 4:23 pm
[…] to Create Minor Characters in Your Mystery Novel Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme in Literature? 7 Murder Weapons That Will Challenge The Cleverest Sleuth 7 […]
LikeLike
By: 10 Tips For Writing Backstory in a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on January 9, 2011
at 9:29 pm
[…] How Important is Conflict in a Mystery Story? Pacing: A Critical Element in the Mystery Novel What is Literary Style? What is Theme […]
LikeLike
By: 10 Ways to Increase Suspense in Your Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on January 27, 2011
at 12:12 pm
is the speaker’s tone of voice part of the literary style?
LikeLike
By: nakavuma aisha on November 3, 2011
at 9:14 am
Good question. When you say speaker’s tone, do you mean the character in the novel? How the author depicts the way in which a character sounds when he speaks certainly is part of the author’s literary style and voice as well.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on November 3, 2011
at 8:44 pm
when you are talking about literary style, are you talking about like what type of book of this, like mystery, science fiction. etc
LikeLike
By: peter on February 7, 2012
at 9:12 pm
could you also give me some more example of literary styles
LikeLike
By: peter on February 7, 2012
at 10:04 pm
Peter, When I speak of literary style i’m talking about the way a author writes his book, not his genre. In other words, I’m referring to the author’s vocabulary, sentence structure, descriptive style etc. This style will appear in any genre.
Here are some examples of different literary styles:
Dickens uses long sentences.
Michener uses abundant description.
Evanovich uses lots of vernacular.
Twain uses figurative language.
I hope this helps clarify a bit.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on February 9, 2012
at 1:32 pm
Thank you Nancy
LikeLike
By: peter on February 9, 2012
at 9:17 pm
You are welcome. Good luck in your writing.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on February 13, 2012
at 4:39 pm
i would like to know , “what would be the Literary style of Ted Hughes?” i’m doing a reseach paper & i dont really know what to put in this part of my thesis 😦 Please help me
LikeLike
By: yulee on February 16, 2012
at 3:34 pm
Yulee,
Check out this essay on Ted Hughes’ writing style. I think it may be helpful. Let me know how it works for you. Good Luck.
http://essaytree.com/english-literature/metaphors-in-ted-hughes-poetry-or-ted-hughes-writing-style/
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on February 16, 2012
at 8:22 pm
it really helped me ! thanks Nancy ❤
LikeLike
By: yulee on February 23, 2012
at 4:37 pm
I hope you get an A on your paper. I’m sending positive thoughts.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on February 23, 2012
at 10:15 pm
Hi Nancy,
My writing style has definitely changed since I first began to write.
Thanks for stopping by and liking one of my posts.
Unfortunately, that was my old blog. I hope you drop by and visit my newer one at http://www.tracycampbell.net/blog.
Have a lovely weekend
Tracy 🙂
LikeLike
By: Tracy Campbell on January 18, 2013
at 6:31 pm
I dropped by your new blog. It’s great.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on January 19, 2013
at 10:00 pm
Thanks, Nancy. I hope you’ll come back for a visit.
Have a lovely week! 🙂
LikeLike
By: Tracy Campbell on January 20, 2013
at 3:52 pm
i agree with that alo but Nancy can you helpme answer these question, comment on the poet style in The negro speaks of rivers kindly help me please.
LikeLike
By: gabriel on June 5, 2013
at 2:31 pm
I’m not familiar with the poet you mention. Can you tell me more.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on June 5, 2013
at 8:15 pm
how to study literary style?
LikeLike
By: Saeed Ahmed on October 22, 2013
at 7:59 am
Saeed, Your literary style will evolve through reading what you love to read and through writing as often as possible.
LikeLike
By: Nancy Curteman on October 22, 2013
at 1:56 pm
Dear,
what are the problems associated with the issue of style in literary writing?
LikeLike
By: Micah Wiseone Anyim on March 27, 2014
at 5:17 am
The biggest problem for beginning writers is a reluctance to rely on their own developing literary style. They start off imitating another author’s style which is not unusual. However, they continue to imitate rather than taking that leap in the dark that leads to their own personal style.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on March 27, 2014
at 7:50 am
I am word genius a very special person. I have been writing since I was seven years old. Yes, I have different writing I notice.
LikeLike
By: ms.poetic on June 15, 2014
at 5:51 pm
Each author’s individual writing style is what makes her unique and interesting.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on June 16, 2014
at 1:43 pm
This is a fantastic site. Thank you so much for your work and invaluable information. I haven’t read your books, but now I will look for them. The one comment I have is how distracting it is to see S/he so constantly. It is hard on the eyes and breaks up the flow of reading. I say — use either he or she.We all know that writers are either male or female, or these days, some other gender identification altogether. I will write he or she, and if people don’t like or get offended, that is their choice.
LikeLike
By: Indira on July 30, 2018
at 5:30 pm
Indira, You have a point regarding the use of s/he. As a matter of fact I agree with you and have abandoned its use in my later posts. Thank you for affirming my decision. I hope you find my posts useful. Good luck in your writing.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on August 1, 2018
at 1:14 pm
P.S. Congratulations on the awards/accolades I see you have received for your books!!
LikeLike
By: Indira on July 30, 2018
at 5:32 pm
Thank you for your kind words.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on August 1, 2018
at 12:17 pm