Writing styles refer to the type or form of written work you are creating. It would be helpful if you think of it as a classification for identifying the writing type you will be making. For example, the writing style of a cookbook is entirely different from a romance and steamy novel.
Every writing style has a different purpose; hence their characteristics will be different when writing different types of work.
Since you are now in a position to tell what a writing style is, let us look at the 4 different types of writing styles that are commonly talked about amongst literary educators and writers.
1. Expository
The Expository writing style is short on storytelling and literary flourishes and very long on facts. It can instruct and inform the readers about a particular subject. However, in its purest form, it can not change any person’s mind.
In case you are wondering the number of moons Saturn has, or the best time of the year to plant the tulips, or how you can prepare chana masala, then high chances you will be looking for an expository type of writing to help you get the answer.
Here are some of the expository writing examples:
- Textbooks
- News Articles
- Nonfiction books
- Instruction Manuals
- Cookbooks
- Medical and Scientific research
The expository writing style includes links, citations, quotes for sources, tables, and charts to highlight the critical data. The expository writing that uses instructions is often concise and contains lots of illustrations. However, this writing type shies away from value judgments or bold opinions; instead, it offers precise information.
2. Descriptive
The descriptive type of writing is just what the name suggests. It can be poetry that uses metaphors, adverbs, adjectives, and language that activate the reader’s senses. It can also zoom in to help appreciate the minute details.
Here are some of the places you can always find descriptive writing
- Diary entries
- Poetry
- Nature writing
- In a more extended writing piece
The descriptive writing style is always brief on its own, although it can also make regular appearances in lengthier writing styles.
3. Narrative
This writing style makes it possible for the writer to tell a story. Its hallmarks plot has a start, middle, and an end. A great example is the families of Romeo and Juliet loathing each other. The two lovers did fall for each other before the tragedy ensued.
Here are examples of where you can use narrative writing styles
- Biographies
- Novels
- Mythology
- Screenplays
- Creative nonfiction
The narrative style of writing, in most cases, tends to be a bit lengthier when compared to the descriptive essay. However, there is a chance that it can always contain some descriptive passages like when the writer decides to pause the appearance of the character or admire the architectural beauty.
4. Persuasive
Just as the name implies, the persuasive writing style intends to win the audience over a particular view. It helps in building an argument by providing justifications and evidence to assist in backing up an opinion. This can easily lead to a call to action such as buy this product, vote for this candidate, or support this cause.
Here are some examples of persuasive writing
- Advertising copy
- Product reviews
- Academic papers
- Editorial and opinion writing
- Recommendation letters and cover letters
Persuasive writing can easily incorporate or look like other writing styles. For example, a political speech can include the story of a candidate, narrative elements, or people who are affected by different issues. While the expository writing style does set out to provide information, persuasive writing uses facts to help build its case.
Recognizing all these writing styles and discern what a particular writing piece aims to accomplish is essential to becoming a better reader and experienced writer.
How Grammarly Can Help You Maintain a Coherent Writing Style
Grammarly has gained a lot of popularity in recent days. Here are some ways Grammarly can help you maintain a coherent writing style.
1. Helps in Correcting Grammar and Spelling
One of the main benefits of using Grammarly is that it helps you correct your grammar and spelling mistakes. As a writer, you will be taken seriously if you have some professional edge. Grammatical and spelling mistakes are never good for any writer who aspires to maintain a coherent writing style. However, using Grammarly will help correct them and ensure all your writings are readable.
2. Enhances Writing
As a writer, you always struggle to proofread and update your descriptions or write content for your service. Some words and adjectives will enhance your writing, but it isn’t easy to always come up with them. However, the use of Grammarly will help you strengthen your writing by giving suggestions within seconds.
3. Plagiarism Checker
Plagiarism is one thing that most writers fall for. There are several documents on the internet where similar phrases and words have been used a couple of times. Although this is not a significant issue, you will always find it quite challenging to compose items like product descriptions or sales pitches.
Grammarly helps you avoid such issues as it checks your work against different web pages on the internet to ensure that your content is not plagiarized.
4. Reliable Checking
Grammarly offers the best automated editing service and ensures you deliver top-quality proofreading service.
Don’t be doubtful to invest in a Grammarly premium account to help you with checking for spelling and grammatical mistakes.
5. Easy and Quick Services
Another benefit of using Grammarly is that it is lighting fast. It automatically reads and generates reports within a fraction of a moment. You can instantly go after that and start making the corrections, which helps make fast content creation and replies to individuals.
It is much easier to see the benefits that come with Grammarly as it offers an excellent set of services to polish your writing and make it have a more professional look.
Tips on How to Develop Your Writing Style
Here are ways you can make fair use of to help you develop your writing style:
1. Read A lot
Reading lets you learn from other people’s knowledge and make it possible for you to immerse yourself in their world. Eventually, it will help you to come up with your own writing style.
When you read other people’s work, you will influence your writing since most writers tend to write similarly to what they read frequently. In case you need some inspiration, you should get something that interests you and start reading these books.
2. Learn to be Honest
Whenever you are writing, ensure that you always stay true to the person you are. Writing allows you to express yourself right from inside. When you try becoming someone you are not, you will hinder your writing and fail to achieve your targets in the end.
Whenever you try writing something that is not from you, you can easily confuse the reader. This is because it will be a bit difficult for you to manage your voice as a writer. When your style does not flow well or when it changes, it will be quite tricky for the readers to know who you are. With this, people might not be interested in reading your work.
However, when you write from within yourself, the reader will see parts of who you are as a person and get to know you better.
3. Learn to Write Whatever That Comes With Ease
Writing should come naturally and should never be weird or cause some struggle to you. There are times when you might feel like you have writer’s block, or you are struggling to get what you want to say. This should never be the norm.
In case you get something challenging to write, then it could be because of any of the following reasons.
- You do not follow a style that is true to you.
- There is no inspiration on the topic you are writing.
- You have not created the writing habit.
When you are stuck, although you did create a proper writing habit, you should consider getting some inspiration. It could mean reading other writing forms to help refresh you or taking some time off from writing. You can consider taking half an hour’s walk while listening to music.
4. Naturally, Express Yourself
Whenever you are writing, always choose a style that suits you most. It can be expressing yourself through creative writing that will allow the poet inside you to come alive or share the life experiences in a helpful and useful form.
It does not matter what it is. The most important thing is that it should leave you feeling excited and energized about what you are doing and not struggling or drained to create more.
When you are done with finding your style, writing is the only thing you should consider. The more you write, the easier it will be for you, and the better you will get when it comes to expressing yourself through words. When you have a writing talent, you have to use it in sharing your message with the world.
Conclusion
By choosing and making fair use of the writing skills mentioned above, you will be in a position to improve your writing abilities. However, it is highly recommended that you never try incorporating all these strategies at once. Always take your time and familiarize yourself with each of the writing styles. Try incorporating one new writing style per lesson. Consider working to develop your writing style while avoiding any burnout.
The last thing you need to do is talk to your heart. You will never fail to get something you can do to help improve your writing. Keep the tips mentioned above in your mind, and your writing career will definitely flourish.