FORMS AND STYLES OF WRITING

Definition of Style

• The style in writing can be defined as the way a writer

writes. It is the technique that an individual author uses in
his writing. It varies from author to author, and depends
upon one’s syntax, word choice, and tone. It can also be
described as a “voice” that readers listen to when they
read the work of a writer.
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever noticed how some stories sound completely
different from others? There are many different types of
writing out there, all with different aims and meanings. By
knowing the different types of writing you will start to
recognize them in everything you read. This helps you
understand the meanings of the things you read and why
they were written.
Expository writing
• It is where the author intends to inform, explain, describe
or define their subject to you. This is the most common
type of writing you will find in text books and online. As
the author is mostly trying to tell you all about the subject,
their opinions are left out leaving you with facts and
figures instead of trying to defend or support an opinion.
An example of expository writing is "How-to" articles,
where the author is explaining how to build or do
something yourself.
Characteristics of expository writing

• There are a few characteristics of expository writing you

should remember when crafting an expository essay. The
first is to keep a tight focus on the main topic, avoiding
lengthy tangents, wordiness, or unrelated asides that
aren’t necessary for understanding your topic.
• You must also be sure to support your topic, providing
plenty of facts, details, examples, and explanations, and
you must do so in an organized and logical manner.
Details that can support your expository writing include:
• Anecdotes
• Comparisons
• Quotations
• Statistics
• Descriptive details
• Definitions
• Charts and graphs
Formatting an expository essay
• The typical format for an expository essay in school is the
traditional five-paragraph essay. This includes an introduction and
a conclusion, with three paragraphs for the body of the paper.
Most often, these three paragraphs are limited to one subtopic
each.
• This is the basic essay format, but expository writing does not
need to be limited to five paragraphs. No matter how long your
essay is, be sure your introduction includes your thesis statement
and that the paper is based on facts rather than opinions. And, as
with all good essay writing, make sure to connect your paragraphs
with transitions.
Methods for writing an expository essay

• There are a few different methods for writing an

expository essay. These include:

• Compare and contrast

• Cause and effect
• Problem and solution
• Extended definition
Descriptive writing

• It uses a lot of great visual words to help you see the

person, place or thing they are writing about. The writing
can be poetic at times, and explain things in great detail.
When you are reading descriptive writing you feel as if
you are there or can actually picture in your mind what
they are describing. Metaphors, similes and symbols are
often used in descriptive writing.
3 Qualities of a Descriptive writing style

• Clear and Concise

• Use of Images
• Use of Five Senses

• As far as clear and concise language is concerned, it is

necessary to describe things precisely. Imagery is used to
make things seem real and remarkable. The use of the
five senses creates the imagery, or a mental picture, for
each reader.
Difference Between a Description and a Descriptive Essay

A description could be just a paragraph, or it could be

longer, as needed to fully describe the thing. However, a
descriptive essay has five paragraphs. It is written in a
coherent way with a good thesis statement at the end of the
introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Function of Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay presents a person, place, or thing, in a

way that readers feel as if it is in front of their eyes, or that
they are tasting it, or that they can hear it, or that they can
smell it. Writers use sensory information to describe object.
The object of the writer is to present a picture of something
as honestly as he can.
Narrative writing
• It is very common in novels, poetry and biographies. The
author puts themselves in their characters shoes and
writes as if they were that person. They tell life stories and
involve plots and storylines. A narrative essay is a type of
essay that has a single motif, or a central point, around
which the whole narrative revolves. All incidents,
happenings, and characters revolve around a single motif
presented in the narrative.
Difference Between a Narrative Essay and a Short Story
A narrative essay has a specific format, specific aspect to
discover, and a specific motif. It revolves around that motif
set by the writer prior to writing the essay. A short story,
however, is different from a narrative essay in that it does
not revolve around a pre-set motif, and that it does not have
a specific format. Also, a short story always leaves readers
at a critical juncture with the desire to discover more. In
contrast, a narrative essay ends when the readers are fully
satisfied. They do not wish to read any more or do not want
to discover anymore.
3 Elements of a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay has three required elements: character,

theme, and dialogue.

Character
• Characters are an important part of a narrative essay.
Even if the essay is autobiographical in nature, the person
writing the essay is a character involving some other
characters who act, behave, and do like all other
characters presented in stories and novels.
Theme or Motif
• A narrative essay revolves around a theme or a motif. This
theme or motif is presented in its thesis statement, which
breaks it down into three distinct evidences. These three
distinct evidences are then further elaborated through
characters in body paragraphs.

Dialogue
• Dialogue is used to capture the conversation between
characters. In a narrative essay, dialogue is the third
important element, without which the characters lose their
worth and liveliness.
Function of Narrative Essay

A narrative essay describes people, presents their

conversation, and narrates their experiences to teach
lessons to readers. In fact, it is like a story, but different in
that it is weaved around a motif. A motif is given before the
incidents of the essay. Readers become aware of this single
theme, central idea, or motif once they go through the
essay. Its major aim is to provide information about life
experiences and lessons learned from those experiences.
Argumentative writing

The argumentative is a genre of writing that requires the

student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate
evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise
manner.

Please note: Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and
the expository essay. These two genres are similar, but the argumentative essay
differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and
research involved. The argumentative essay is advanced composition and
involves lengthy, detailed research. Expository essays involve less research and
are shorter in length.
• An argumentative essay is a type of essay that presents
arguments about both sides of an issue. It could be that
both sides are presented equally balanced, or it could be
that one side is presented more forcefully than the other.
It all depends on the writer, and what side he supports the
most. The general structure of an argumentative essay
follows this format:
• Creative writing is perhaps the most fun type of writing.
Anything you think up in your head can be turned into
creative writing. Creative writing is often thought
provoking, entertaining and more interesting to read than
say persuasive writing is. Short stories, poetry, novels and
plays often fall into the creative writing category. It doesn't
necessarily need to follow any line of facts, just as long as
it's interesting to read.
Format of Argumentative writing

• Introduction: Attention Grabber / hook, Background

Information, Thesis Statement
• Body: Three body paragraphs (three major arguments)
• Counterargument: An argument to refute earlier
arguments and give weight to the actual position
• Conclusion: Rephrasing the thesis statement, major
points, call to attention, or concluding remarks.
Models for Argumentative Essays

• There are two major models besides this structure given

above, which is called a classical model. Two other
models are the Toulmin and Rogerian models.
• Toulmin model is comprised of an introduction with a
claim or thesis, followed by presentation of data to
support the claim. Warrants are then listed for the reasons
to support the claim with backing and rebuttals. However,
the Rogerian model asks to weigh two options, lists
strengths and weaknesses of both options, and gives a
recommendation after an analysis.
Function of Argumentative Essay

• An argumentative essay presents both sides of an issue.

However, it presents one side more positively or
meticulously than the other one, so that readers could be
swayed to the one the author intends. The major function
of this type of essays is to present a case before the
readers in a convincing manner, showing them the
complete picture.
Disclose writing

In simple terms, disclosure indicates explaining or making

information public to others. So, the disclosure statement
could be a written or a verbal statement delineating various
information required or supposed to be expressed. But, in
general parlance, it refers to a document issued by an
organization stating different facts and terms. For instance,
if a financial transaction takes place with an organization
and people at large, there are many terms and conditions
mentioned in the paper which could not be understood by a
layman. These are essential terms concerning the contract
entered between both the parties.
 Purpose of Disclosure Statement

The very purpose of the disclosure statement is to transfer the

knowledge of crucial terminologies, terms and conditions, and
exclusions and inclusions of the contract, etc. in a language
comprehensible by even an amateur person. It compiles all the
information and provides an assurance to the customer about
the legality and security of the investment, insurance,
mortgage, or various other transactions involved. It also
outlines all the provisions regarding the contract and duties
and responsibilities of the customers too.
Disclose format

• A disclosure statement could consist of multiple topics,

buy vary from contract to contract and types of
agreement. Despite the dissimilarity, it mentions some
terms which are quite familiar to almost all such
statements.
• Firstly, the statement indicates the title of the agreement
or document, and generally, it is written in bold and capital
letters. A few examples of claims could be Loan
Agreement, Personal Disclosure Statement, etc.
• The body contains the key terms and terminologies an
organization intends to communicate to another party. It is
filled with information in simple language and sometimes
includes tables and charts as well.
• It also contains the detail of the party responsible for its
preparation along with the signature of the person who
approved it from the organization’s point of view.
• The date on which this is written or handed over is also
an essential tenet of the contract. Generally, it is the point,
after which both parties come under the legal scanner.
• The name of the person with whom the contract is made,
along with the relevant details such as the address, etc.
are also included in this document.
Function of Style

• A unique literary style can have great impact on the piece

in which it is used, and on the readers. When authors
write and put their ideas into words, they have many
choices to make, which include: words, sounds, logic,
sentence structures. However, different authors use
different literary styles that depend on their distinct
expression, and their utilization of these choices.