In fiction, style is the manner in which the author tells the story.
Elements of fiction
There is little consensus regarding the number and composition of the fundamental elements of fiction, but style is sometimes included. Among other elements cited are character, plot, setting, and theme. Debate continues regarding the elements of fiction. [1]
Components of style
There appears to be little consensus regarding the subject of style in fiction. The topics listed below are among the subjects listed as aspects of style, or of a writer's voice.
Fiction-writing modes
Fiction is a form of narrative, one of the four rhetorical modes of discourse. Fiction-writing also has distinct forms of expression, or modes, each with its own purposes and conventions. Agent and author Evan Marshall identifies five fiction-writing modes: action, summary, dialogue, feelings/thoughts, and background (Marshall 1998, pp. 143-165). Author and writing-instructor Jessica Page Morrell lists six delivery modes for fiction-writing: action, exposition, description, dialogue, summary, and transition (Morrell 2006, p. 127). Author Peter Selgin refers to methods, including action, dialogue, thoughts, summary, scene, and description (Selgin 2007, p. 38). Currently, there is no consensus within the writing community regarding the number and composition of fiction-writing modes and their uses. [2]
Narrator
The narrator is the teller of the story, the orator, doing the mouthwork, or its in-print equivalent. A writer is faced with many choices regarding the narrator of a story: first-person narrative, third-person narrative, unreliable narrator, stream-of-consciousness writing. A narrator may be either obtrusive or unobtrusive, depending on the author's intended relationship between himself, the narrator, the point-of-view character, and the reader [3].
Point of View
Point of view is from whose consciousness the reader hears, sees, and feels the story.
Allegory
Allegory is a work of fiction in which the symbols, characters, and events come to represent, in somewhat point-by-point fashion, a different metaphysical, political, or social situation.
Symbolism
Symbolism refers to any object or person which represents something else. Allegory is the representation of ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in a story.
Tone
Tone refers to the attitude that a story creates toward its subject matter. Tone may be formal, informal, intimate, solemn, somber, playful, serious, ironic, condescending, or many other possible attitudes. Tone is sometimes referred to as the mood that the author establishes within the story.
Imagery
Imagery
Punctuation
Punctuation
Word choice
Diction, in its original, primary meaning, refers to the writer's or the speaker's distinctive vocabulary choices and style of expression. Literary diction analysis reveals how a passage establishes tone and characterization; for example, a preponderance of verbs relating physical movement suggests an active character, while a preponderance of verbs relating states of mind portrays an introspective character.
Sentence structure
Grammar
Subtlety
Cohesion
Consistency
Reader involvement
Voice
Show, Don't Tell
Show, don't tell
References
- Bickham, Jack M. (1993). Scene & Structure. Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-551-6.
- Browne & King (2004). Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print. New York: Harper Resource. ISBN 0-06-054569-0.
- Card, Orson Scott (1988). Character & Viewpoint. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-307-6.
- Edgerton, Les (2003). Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 1-58297-174-9.
- Kress, Nancy (August 2003), Writer's Digest
- Marshall, Evan (1998). The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 1-58297-062-9.
- Morrell, Jessica Page (2006). Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 978-1-58297-393-7.
- Selgin, Peter (2007). By Cunning & Craft: Sound Advice and Practical Wisdom for fiction writers. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 978-1-58297-491-0.
- Yagoda, Ben (2004). The Sound on the Page: Great Writers Talk About Style and Voice in Writing. New York: HarperResource. ISBN 0-06-093822-6.
See also
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