Style Is The Writer's Voice on The Page
- Some sound poetic. Others sound messy, funny, angry, blunt, or broken.
- And it’s not random, style shapes how you experience the text:
- Who a character is
- How you're meant to feel
- What stands out
Style is just how the writing sounds and why that sound matters.
Diction = Word Choice
Definition
Diction
The kind of words the writer chooses.
- Diction can be formal.
- It can be slangy. Childlike. Poetic.
- Formal diction: “The sun set behind the mountains, casting a golden hue over the valley.”
- Effect: Sounds calm and elegant, like a painting.
- Informal diction: “The sun went down, painting the valley in gold.”
- Effect: More relaxed. You’d hear this in everyday conversation.
Sentence starter: “The author’s use of [formal/informal] diction creates a tone that feels [serious / gentle / playful / raw]…”
Syntax = Sentence Structure
Definition
Syntax
How the writer builds sentences.
- Are they long and flowy or short and sharp?
- Does the writer vary between the two?
- Long syntax: “The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and the promise of rain.”
- Effect: Feels peaceful. Slow and reflective.
- Short syntax: “The wind blew. It smelled like rain.”
- Effect: Feels blunt, tense, or emotionally shut down.
Try saying: “The short, choppy syntax mirrors the character’s numbness and makes the mood feel distant…”
Structure = How the Text Is Built
- It's about how the whole thing is put together.
- Structure includes:
