You’ve got your protagonist and secondary characters. You selected a setting and outlined an engaging plot. Genre? Check. Point of view? Maybe. Writing style? What’s that?
What Are Styles of Writing?
Your writing style is as unique as your fingerprint. It encompasses your word choice, tone, sentence structure, punctuation, and use of literary devices.
Style can range from formal to conversational, detailed to sparse, poetic to straightforward. These choices set the mood of the work, reflecting your personality and showing the purpose and genre of your writing.
How to Identify Writing Forms
To identify writing styles, look for these key elements:
Tone and Voice
What is the attitude of the author’s voice? Is it formal and distant? Casual and embracing? Serious and grim? Humorous and light-hearted? Sarcastic? The tone sets the mood of the story and plays a key role in an author’s style.
Diction (Word Choice)
Examine the writer’s vocabulary. Is the language straightforward or complex? Has the author used a lot of descriptive words or kept it streamlined? Have they included jargon or specialized terms? Informal writing may be more conversational; formal writing tends to avoid slang.
Pacing and Rhythm
Observe how the text flows. Shorter, punchier sentences and active verbs characterize fast-paced writing, while slower-paced writing tends to include long, descriptive passages and more detailed explanations.
Dialogue
How do the characters speak? Is it realistic or stylized? How much variance exists in the characters’ style of speech?
Descriptions and Imagery
Look at how vivid the descriptions are. Descriptive writing uses vivid imagery that paints a clear picture in the reader’s mind. Sensory details abound. Straightforward styles emphasize clarity and brevity, typically focusing on action and dialogue.
Sentence Structure
Survey the length and complexity of sentences in the writer’s work. Using varied sentence lengths create a casual rhythm, while a consistent structure reflects formality.
Point of View
Which perspective has the author chosen: first-person, second-person, third-person? The choice will impact the level of connection to the reader.
Audience
Keep in mind who the intended audience is and the purpose of the writing.
Organization
Examine the way the story is structured. Is there a clear introduction, body, and conclusion? What kind of flow does it follow, a logical one or more haphazard?
The Five Different Writing Styles
Fiction writing comes in a variety of styles. Most works fall under one of these categories:
Narrative Writing
Commonly found in fiction writing, the narrative style focuses on storytelling. It comprises a plot with characters and a story presented in a structured and typically sequential manner. Writers do more than just convey information in narrative writing.
They create a full story to communicate a message. It can be done from various perspectives, including first-person, third-person, and stream of consciousness.
Expository Writing
The purpose of expository writing is to explain, inform, or describe something to the reader. It focuses on providing non-biased information using clarity and detail, using accepted facts and statistics in a straightforward manner.
Textbooks and informational websites typically use this fact-based style, but it is also found within fiction for world-building or background exposition.
Descriptive Writing
Descriptive writing paints a picture with words, creating vivid imagery through sensory details, figurative language, and precise vocabulary.
This style immerses the reader in the story through detailed and sensory-rich language. It focuses on poetic images to get the point across, often using metaphors and similar devices.
Persuasive Writing
The point of persuasive style is for the author to sway your opinions, beliefs, or actions through storytelling. It uses a blend of emotional appeal, logical arguments, and credible evidence embedded within the narrative to convince the reader of a particular argument or viewpoint.
Purple Prose
Purple prose is writing that is overly extravagant and ornate, often to the point of being distracting or hard to read. It uses flowery, elaborate language and excessive details that can overshadow the story itself.
While some successful works contain passages of rich, descriptive language that could be considered excessive, they limit their use to certain scenes and paragraphs. Use this style only with extreme caution.
Do you want to see these styles in action?
Narrative Writing Examples
The narrative style can employ different points of view, impacting the distance between the reader and the characters.
First-Person Narrative
First-person point of view in narrative style tells the story from the perspective of a single character, using “I” or “we.”
This style provides readers with direct insight into the narrator’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, giving a deeply personal and engaging account. Here are some examples:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Katniss Everdeen narrates her journey in a dystopian world, providing a personal and engaging account of her fight to survive in the deadly arena, her struggles with her role as a symbol of rebellion, and how she navigates her personal relationships.
Her internal dialogue gives readers insight into her thoughts, fears, and motivations. The suspense and tension increase as readers experience the twists and dangers of the Games alongside her.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Protagonist Jane tells her life story from her own perspective, providing an intimate view of her thoughts and emotions.
Her candid voice offers insights into her childhood hardships and her evolving relationship with Mr. Rochester. Readers deeply connect with Jane’s resilience and personal growth and root for her to find a happy ending.
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Troubled teenager Holden Caulfield narrates his own story and through his eyes, readers sense his feelings of alienation and the chaotic nature of his mental state.
It offers readers a direct and intimate look at Holden’s psyche while enhancing the themes of adolescence, identity, and the loss of innocence.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Nick Carraway gives a first-person narration of the events surrounding his friend, Jay Gatsby and his love interest, Daisy Buchanan, blending personal insights with the broader social context.
His outsider perspective of the glittering yet hollow world of 1920s high society brings the grandeur and tragedy of Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream vividly to life.
Third-Person Limited
Third-person limited point of view focuses on a single character’s perspective, using, “he,” “she,” or “they.” It provides intimate insight into the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of a character, allowing readers to connect deeply with the protagonist while still maintaining a bit of narrative distance. See these works for examples:
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The story of Jonas, a young boy, unfolds from his point of view, reveals his thoughts and feelings as he begins to see the flaws and darkness in a society he once thought of as perfect.
Lowry’s third-person perspective provides a deep connection to Jonas’ experiences and emotions as he uncovers the truths about his society.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Rowling blends Harry’s personal experiences with insights into the thoughts and actions of the other characters from his perspective.
She provides a detailed and immersive account of Harry’s adventures in the magical world from his point of view throughout the series, exploring themes of friendship, courage, loyalty, and the overarching conflict between good and evil.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
While the third-person limited narration occasionally offers glimpses into the thoughts and actions of other characters, it primarily focuses on the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet.
Austen’s narration closely follows Elizabeth’s thoughts and feelings, providing intimate insights into her character, while still maintaining a view of the social dynamics of the world around her.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
The narrative focuses on Ender Wiggin, giving readers an in-depth look at his strategic mind and emotional struggles as he navigates life at Battle School and Command School.
His feelings of isolation and the immense pressures he faces create a connection with the reader while also presenting a broader view of the story’s themes of manipulation, the morality of war, and the burdens of leadership.
Third-Person Omniscient
Third-person omniscient point of view gives the bird’s-eye view of everything happening in the story, including the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of every character.
This perspective allows the narrator to hop between characters, exploring their views and motivations. Here are some well-known examples:
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
This classic novel uses a third-person omniscient narrator to provide a panoramic view of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars.
Tolstoy dives into the inner lives, thoughts and feelings of a vast array of characters, from aristocrats to soldiers, highlighting their personal battles and growth. It weaves together disparate storylines and blends the characters’ personal stories with his commentary on historical events.
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Eliot explores the inner lives and motivations of multiple characters with her use of third-person omniscient narration in this tale set in a provincial town in early 19th century England.
Her reflective and analytical narrative enriches the reader’s understanding of her characters to highlight the tensions between personal desire and societal expectations.
The third-part omniscient narration allows her to critique societal norms and reveal the interconnectedness of the characters’ lives.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Using an omniscient narrator allows insights into the thoughts and feelings of all the characters, particularly Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale, weaving a sense of moral complexity that provides a comprehensive view of the events and moral complexities in the Puritan society of 17-century New England.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This novel’s all-knowing narrator chronicles the multi-generational story of the Buendia family, revealing the triumphs and tragedies of many characters.
The omniscient narration allows seamless transitions between the inner thoughts and actions of different family members.
Stream of Consciousness
Stream of consciousness in narrative style fiction attempts to capture the natural flow of a character’s thoughts and feelings, often in a seemingly disjoined or fragmented manner.
Instead of a structured, linear progression, it might jump from one thought to another, reflecting memories, sensory impressions, and spontaneous associations.
Here are some examples of novels written in stream of consciousness:
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Woolf masterfully uses stream of consciousness to portray the inner workings of her protagonist, Clarissa Dalloway, as she prepares for a party.
The narrative flows seamlessly between her thoughts and those of other characters, and it blurs the lines between past and present. The story’s almost cinematic picture of ordinary moments makes them seem significant.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
This semi-autobiographical novel explores the development of Stephen Dedalus from early childhood to his decision to pursue a life of artistic freedom, capturing his thoughts and sensory experiences in a free-flowing narrative.
Considered a seminal work in modernist literature, the stream of consciousness narrative technique provides a fragmented, non-linear view of Stephen’s complex inner life.
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Another brilliant work by Woolf, this novel delves into the minds of members of the Ramsay family, focusing on their thoughts, fears, and desires as a result of their experiences before and after World War I.
The narrative weaves external events and their thoughts and memories into a rich tapestry.
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Faulkner’s novel uses this technique to provide an intimate and often chaotic look at the lives of the Compson family and its downfall.
Employing four sections, each narrated by a difference character, he captures the inner turmoil, fragmented thoughts, and disjointed memories of the family members. He ends with an omniscient narration from the family’s servant, who provides a more stable a linear view, in contrast with the troubled minds of the brothers.
Expository Writing Examples
The Martian by Andy Weir
Stranded by an explosion on Mars, astronaut Mark Watney explains his engineering solutions and botanical experiments as he works to survive.
Weir uses his vast knowledge of space in a detailed explanation of everything from growing potatoes to creating water from hydrogen and oxygen. Watney’s detailed log entries break down complex scientific procedures into understandable steps, immersing the readers in the problem-solving process.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
A fantastical premise about genetics and the cloning of dinosaurs unfolds through detailed explanations of the science used by Jurassic Park’s founder and his team of scientists.
The dialogue provides detailed explanations of the technology and its implications, exploring the ethical and practical consequences of their advancements and miscalculations.
Dune by Frank Herbert
Author Herbert uses the expository narrative style to build a complex and immersive universe, providing extensive explanations of the political, ecological, and social systems of the desert planet Arrakis.
His multi-layered word feels authentic, and the detailed explanations give insights into the characters’ motivations and the stakes of their conflicts.
1984 by George Orwell
Detailed sections of this dystopian novel explain the political philosophy in the totalitarian regime of Oceania and the mechanisms of its control and pervasive surveillance.
Winston Smith’s experiences and inner thoughts reveal the harsh realities of life and the eradication of personal freedoms. (Note: this book falls into the category of persuasive style as well–see below.)
Descriptive Writing Examples
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
McCarthy creates a haunting post-apocalyptic world through his sparse yet intensely vivid descriptions. His use of language evokes the bleakness and desolation of the setting, immersing the reader in the stark reality of the pervasive silence and desolation.
Despite the picture of a cold and devastated landscape, McCarthy displays glimmers of hope through the profound bond between father and son. Its powerful and evocative descriptions deepen its emotional impact.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Morgenstern transports readers into a fantastical world through her lush and enchanting descriptions of a magical circus that appears without warning and is open only at night.
She uses vibrant and evocative language to bring every detail, from the performers’ costumes to the whimsical tents, to life. Her use of language evokes a sense of magic and romance, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien creates a richly detailed and immersive world through his intricate descriptions of Middle Earth. From the rolling hills of the Shire to the towering peaks of Mordor, his prose transports readers to a fully realized fantasy realm.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Morrison explores the harrowing experiences of Sethe, a former slave, and the ghost of her dead daughter, Beloved.
Using lush and vivid prose, the emotional and physical landscapes of her characters come to life through powerful and evocative descriptions. Her descriptive style blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Martel’s vivid descriptions of the vast ocean and its creatures make Pi’s journey feel incredibly real. The detailed imagery of the harsh conditions on the lifeboat, the vastness of the sea, and the sun’s relentless heat immerse readers in Pi’s struggle for survival.
Persuasive Writing Examples
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Stowe’s vivid portrayal of the horrors of slavery is a persuasive argument for abolition, stirring empathy and moral outrage.
Through the experiences of Uncle Tom, an enslaved man living through hardship, she illustrates the horrors of slavery and the profound suffering it causes.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Sinclair’s depiction of the brutal conditions in the meatpacking industry uses a powerful persuasive narrative style to persuade readers of the need for labor reforms and food safety regulations.
His detailed accounts of the unsanitary conditions and inhumane treatment of both animals and workers led to widespread public outcry and led to legislative action in 1906.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Atwood’s dystopian narrative serves as a persuasive warning about the dangers of extreme patriarchal societies and the loss of women’s rights.
She immerses readers in the dystopian world of Gilead, focusing on Offred, a woman forced into servitude as a handmaid. By detailing the stripping of handmaids’ identities and freedoms, Atwood immerses readers into the oppressive atmosphere of the regime.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Hugo’s grand narrative focuses on characters Jean Valjean and Javert as they grapple with moral questions that persuade readers to reflect on justice, redemption, and compassion, often compelling them to consider different perspectives.
His vivid descriptions of the living conditions in Paris, Valjean’s experience in the brutal prison system, and the sacrifices of the revolutionary fighter evoke sympathy and a sense of moral duty.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Protagonist Hazel Grace Lancaster’s internal monologues express her views on life, love, and mortality as she depicts the struggles she endures.
She and Augustus Waters, a fellow cancer patient, struggle with the physical and emotional realities of living with a terminal illness, exhibiting the fleeting nature of life.
Her reflections aim to persuade the reader to consider deeper truths about existence and relationships.
Tips for Selecting a Writing Style
When contemplating a writing style, consider these factors:
Consider Your Story’s Purpose
To tell a compelling story, narrative style fits best. To convey background information, consider an expository style. For an immersive tale, employ a descriptive approach. For stories with an underlying lesson or moral message, write in the persuasive style.
Look at Tone and Mood
What tone do you wish to portray in your story? A persuasive style may convey urgency or conviction, while a descriptive style can create a rich, vivid story.
Develop Characters
Think about the style that best reflects your characters. A story with introspective characters will work best with either a narrative or descriptive style. A character with a passionate cause may benefit from using a persuasive style for their chronicle, and one with lots of technical details to reveal will do well with an expository style.
Know Your Audience
Understanding genre expectations will influence your choice of writing style. Romance writers want a more emotional and descriptive approach, while YA readers might appreciate a narrative style with relatable characters. Demographics may favor certain styles, so be sure to have a target audience in mind.
Experiment
It’s okay to experiment. Consider blending styles to enhance the narrative. You can include descriptive passages in a primarily narrative story to deepen the emotional impact and/or add expository sections for enhanced context.
Consider Pacing
Each style affects pacing differently. Narrative and descriptive styles tend to slow the pace, while expository or persuasive sections increase momentum.
Reflect Authenticity
Authenticity resonates with readers. Choose a style that makes your voice and vision more compelling.
Revise with an Open Mind
Make sure your chosen style presents your story in its best possible light. Be open to modifying your approach if your edit reveals issues with clarity, engagement, and/or emotional impact.
There’s much to consider when choosing a style. Be true to your vision, maintain your voice, and consider your message. Choose the style that supports those things, and you’ll be on your way to writing compelling prose.