What is Your Writing Style?

All writers have their own basic style. Like your signature, your writing style reflects who you are. Do you write crisp and tidy sentences that are full of facts and void of fluff and give your reader three clear punches? Or do you write long and winding sentences that take your readers on a journey that leaves them contemplating the subject long after they've finished reading? Do you paint pictures with your words? Or do you provide your reader with two or three take-aways? Do you speak to your reader or do you ask your readers to speak for themselves?

Of course, the purpose of a particular piece of writing will determine many of the stylistic characterizations. If it is to be informational, for example, then lots of sensory descriptors would be inappropriate. If the article is to be persuasive, then lacking concrete information backed with reliable resources is not acceptable. This is not what I mean by your writing style. This is merely being able to use your style in a variety of situations.

It is important to diversify your writing so that you hone a broad range of skills, learn new skills, and master a few particular skills. It is also important to write different kinds of articles and stories so that you can get a good understanding of what your unique style is. Writing style is not to be confused with genre. Your style is made up of the qualities that make your work uniquely yours. It is the qualities that define your voice.

There is no absolute way to describe a writer's style, but you should be able to recognize the qualities that are consistent with your style. For example, you may be really good at writing complicated concepts in simpler terms. This would be to say that your style is clear, concise, reader-friendly. On the other hand, your style may be more proving so that readers are challenged to question what they originally thought or believed. Your style might be described as inspirational or motivational because the language you use tends to inspire action. Each of these styles can be used in a variety of genres.

Whatever your writing style may be, it is important to recognize it and know it: this knowledge enables you to work with confidence. Your style will change to some extent as you mature, but like the basic core of your personality, your writing style is fairly stable and unchanging. For this reason, you have much to gain by recognizing what qualities you have and then work to enhance your assets.

Whatever your style, you can take advantage of those qualities to write any genre you want, but you have to know what it is you are working with first. Your writing style is uniquely yours. The sooner you identify your style for yourself, the closer you are to moving your writing to the next level.