SHARING SOME MORE THOUGHTS ON WRITING STYLES by Craig Lock
This article (a "shorty") is an extract from one of the lessons
on our online creative writing course... so thought I'd share.
HOW TO USE DIFFERENT STYLES
Your style can vary from time to time to suit the subject.
A good writer is able to vary their style to suit the subject
matter and the publication concerned.
For example, use short simple sentences when writing for very
young children.
When writing articles for magazines, keep them strictly factual
and to the point.
No room for my flowery sort of language!
Style varies from publication to publication.
Some prefer to stick strictly to the facts of the matter, while
others allow their writers to digress.
IS YOUR MEANING CLEAR?
That for me is good style, because good writing is good
COMMUNICATING..
TONE
This reveals your unique personality. It means "how are you
coming across" ? #
# Can I end a setnce with a "preppie"?
Is your tone angry, arrogant, breezy, sarcastic, bitter, ironic,
cynical or informal?
What do you think is the tone of this lesson (article)?
Tone may be used to inform or instruct.
You should use variety in your choice of rhythms.
In my non-fiction works, I try to write in a simple and
unobtrusive style, with the odd "whacky" bit of humour thrown in
to keep the reader entertained, as well as informed.
I believe anyone can improve their style by reading and writing
more.
Look at how successful authors do it and make a mental note (I
have no time for reading these days!).
Practice your own writing regularly, stand back dispassionately
and look at it.
Read the words out aloud, or preferably get someone else to read
your work out to you.
Ask yourself this important question:
DO THE SENTENCES FLOW NICELY?
Look at the flow: Is there variety in the length and structure of
the sentences?
Correct awkward phrases or obvious repetitions.
Check is your meaning clear?
With no waffling (must heed that one!).
Then rewrite and rewrite to improve the quality of your work.
Top writers rewrite many many times over.
Be aware that style can be changed to suit circumstances.
Style is very individual - it is your own style...and is YOURS
alone - your unique personality "shining through".
Style may be simple, formal, and even utilize slang, or be more
complex with long sentences, sub-clauses and paragraphs; but it
should never lose its essential clarity.
The essence of good style, I believe, is SIMPLICITY.
In writing articles for say, newspapers, your preference will
largely depend on your market.
For example in the UK, British newspapers like 'The Sun'
generally have a short and sharp style - to appeal to the masses.
'The Times' usually has longer and more demanding prose to
stimulate "more edu-ma-cated" readers.
I've written this article in a "short and sharp, punchy" style.
I also have a serious, yet simple style for my novels on South
Africa. They are written "from the heart" In a totally different
style to this lesson/article's "brief, punchy and to the point"
style. I wrote ANGOLAN DAWN in a different style to my other
novels to portray the way I feel an unsophistocated big word!)
Angolan migrant labourer would see the world, think and speak.
In my non-fiction works, like this article and my self-help
books, I try to write in a style that will best accomplish my
writing aim: to "inform, entertain and hopefully even inspire
people to reach out and become all they are CAPABLE of being".
*
When I write articles for "the international market" of the net,
I don't target particular countries and try to adapt my writing
style.
I've found that people around the world don't seem to mind the
fact that I may use "funny" words or spelling - small details,
like "s's" instead of "z's", color or colour...as long as the
grammar is reasonably correct.
I just try to write in my "natural style with the odd bit of
whacky and zany" humour - one in which I feel comfortable
(seeing I was brought up in South Africa with British English)
and suggest you writers do the same.
My advice is just find your "natural style" by writing as you
SPEAK - as practice writing in your "natural style" breeds
confidence.
I hope this article may be helpful to you in learning more about
your own "natural style."
Craig Lock
http://www.craiglock.com
The "original" Online Creative Writing Course
http://www.craiglock.com/writer/index.html
P.S: Don't worry about the world ending today... it's already
tomorrow in "little" scenic and tranquil New Zealand
More articles on WRITING
Inspiration Flashes: To Collect or Not to Collect That is the Question
Nonsense, Fragments, Made Up Words: Heavenly Bonus
Writing for Publicity and Profit on the WWW
Twenty-Five Tips in Writing Articles for the WWW
How to Use and Write Press Releases as an Internet Marketing Strategy
Sharing Some More Thoughts on Writing Styles
How to Become a Better Writer
What is Copyright and How Does One Protect It
Making a Writer Out of You
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