A Peek into English Language Writing Styles

All around us there are practically infinite things to read-and innumerable ways to write. But concisely speaking only four different types of writing styles. Do you know them? For that matter, what is style in writing?

Here’s unpacked the elements of style in writing as well as an understanding of how they sometimes overlap.

The four distinct types of writing are expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative. Each of these writing styles is used for a specific purpose. A single text may include more than one writing style many times.

Looking into each of these basic styles of writing provides one with clarity on how to write.

Expository

Expository writing is one of the most common types of writing. When an author writes in an expository style, all they are trying to do is explain a concept, imparting information from themselves to a wider audience. Expository writing does not include the author’s opinions, but focuses on accepted facts about a topic, including statistics or other evidence. Expository writing is long on facts and short on storytelling and literary flourishes. It can inform or instruct readers about a subject, but in its purest form, it’s not out to change anyone’s mind.

Mostly, this style shies away from bold and strong opinions or value judgments; instead it aims at delivering straightforward information and data.

Examples of Expository Writing

Textbooks, How-to articles, Recipes, News stories (not editorials or Op-Eds), Business, technical, or scientific writing.

Descriptive

Descriptive writing is often the style used in fiction, though it can make an appearance in nonfiction as well (for example, memoirs, first-hand accounts of events, or travel guides). When authors write in a descriptive style, they are painting a picture in words of a person, place, or thing for their audience. The author might employ metaphor or other literary device in order to describe the author’s impressions via their five senses (what they hear, see, smell, taste, or touch). But the author is generally not trying to convince the audience of anything or explain the scene - merely describe things as they are. Indeed, on its own, descriptive writing is usually brief-but it also makes regular appearances as an element of lengthier styles,

Examples of Descriptive Writing

Poetry, journal/diary writing, descriptions of nature, fictional novels or plays.

Persuasive

Persuasive writing is the main style of writing that is used in academic papers. An author writes in a persuasive style to convince the audience of a position or belief. Persuasive writing contains the author’s opinions and biases, as well as justifications and reasons given by the author as evidence of the correctness of their position. Any "argumentative" essay you write in school should preferably be in the persuasive style of writing. As the name implies, this writing style sets out to win its audience over to a certain point of view. It builds an argument by presenting evidence and justifications to back up an opinion. This may further lead to a call to action.

Examples of Persuasive Writing

Cover letters, Op-Eds and Editorial newspaper articles, Reviews of items, Letters of complaint, Advertisements, Letters of recommendation.

Narrative

Narrative writing is used in almost every longer piece of writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. When an author writes in a narrative style, it is not just trying to impart information, but trying to construct and communicate a story, complete with characters, conflict, and settings.

Examples of Narrative Writing

Oral histories, novels/novellas, poetry (especially epic sagas or poems), short stories and anecdotes.

Voice training and Research Institute is a Pan India Partner for Ets (Educational Testing Service), Toefl and Toeic Usa. It serves as an active country partner for India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Nepal.