Good Writers Make Purposeful Stylistic Choices

Style: The way that different factors come together in a piece of writing.

Style can be displayed through use of: Voice or Persona: the reader’s impression of the writer projected from the page.

What’s My Style?

What Style Choices are Being Made Here?

What style messages do you see here?

Factors that Affect Style Ways of Shaping Sentences Types of Words Voice or Persona Tone Long/short Simple/ Complex Many modifiers vs. Few Modifiers Normal word order / interruptions Abstract/ Concrete Unusual/ Ordinary Specialized/General Scientific/Literary Expert/ Layperson Outsider/ Insider Liberal/ Conservative Neutral observer/ active participant Intimate/ Distant Angry/Calm Browbeating/ Sharing Informative/ Entertaining Ironic/Literal

Identify the Style of this poem: From childhood's hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring. From the same source I have not taken My sorrow; I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone; And all I loved, I loved alone. By: Edgar Allan Poe

What is the writer’s voice/persona here? When I walk in the spot, this is what I see, ok Everybody stops and they staring at me I got a passion in my pants and I ain't afraid to show it, show it, show it, show it I'm sexy and I know it [x2] When I'm at the mall, security just can't fight them off When I'm at the beach, I'm in a Speedo trying to tan my cheeks (what) This is how I roll, come on ladies it's time to go We headed to the bar, baby don't be nervous No shoes, no shirt, and I still get service (watch) Girl look at that body [x3] I work out Girl look at that body [x3] I work out

Inflated Voice Versus Natural Voice: For most college assignments you should use your natural speaking voice to give your writing a conversational, academic style. By “natural,” we mean that you should use a voice that tries to be plain and clear while retaining the quality of a person who is enthusiastic about the subject. Trying to imitate a dense academic style can seem pretentiously stilted and phony – what we call “inflated voice.”

Inflated or Natural Voice?

Inflated Voice Ends Up With you Sounding like this…

In your natural voice don’t be afraid to… Use a thesaurus…it’s good to try out words like “substantiate” instead of “prove” or “chronicle” instead of “write.” Even a wrong choice is a learning experience. Write authoritatively about what you know and admit what you don’t know. Limit each sentence to only one idea…the inclusion of too much material in a sentence sounds rambling or disjointed. Get someone else’s help. Using a quote or paraphrasing an expert can give you the material you need to confidently express what it is you’re trying to say.

Questions?