What is style?

"Style" in writing refers to the way a writer constructs their sentences (syntax-Syntax is the
part of linguistics that studies the structure and formation of sentences. It explains how words
and phrases are arranged to form correct sentences.), chooses their words (diction- What Is
Diction in Writing? Diction is the careful selection of words to communicate a message or
establish a particular voice or writing style. For example, flowy, figurative language creates
colorful prose, while a more formal vocabulary with concise and direct language can help
drive home a point)., and uses their tone (Tone in writing is the attitude your words employ.
Just like tone of voice, tone in writing gives much more context beyond the words used. It
can reveal intention or conceal it. As memoirist and writing coach Adair Lara says, “Tone is
what the dog hears.”) .. This list of elements of style includes (but is not limited to):

 sentence structure or syntax (i.e., how long a sentence is, the order of the words, and
the number of phrases or clauses)
 word choice or diction (i.e., formal language, plain language, jargon)
 active or passive voice
 verb tense
 mood or tone

Style elements in writing—such as symbolism, imagery, and metaphor—are powerful tools

that writers use to deepen meaning, create atmosphere, and connect with the reader on a more
emotional or intellectual level. Let’s explore each element in detail, with examples:

1. Symbolism

Symbolism is when an object, character, or event represents a deeper meaning, often beyond
its literal interpretation. Symbols can convey abstract ideas, themes, or emotions that enhance
the meaning of a piece of writing.

1. Symbolism
Symbolism is when something (like an object, character, or event) stands for something
bigger than itself, often an idea, emotion, or theme. It's like a hidden meaning that goes
beyond the literal.

 Easy Example:
o In the story of The Lion King, the sun rising and setting is symbolic of the
cycle of life—birth, death, and renewal. The sun itself isn’t just a ball of fire in
the sky; it symbolizes the bigger idea of life's ongoing nature.
o Another example: In the story of The Little Red Riding Hood, the red hood
she wears can be symbolic of danger or the journey from childhood innocence
to the threats of the adult world. The red color represents warning or danger,
even before the wolf shows up.

 Example: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the green light at the end of
Daisy's dock symbolizes Gatsby's unattainable dreams and his idealized vision of the
American Dream. While the green light is a literal object, it represents the broader
themes of desire, hope, and the illusion of possibility.
 Another example: In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the farm itself can be seen as a
symbol of a totalitarian state. The animals represent various classes and political
groups, and their experiences reflect the dynamics of power and corruption.

Symbolism often relies on context, so the meaning of a symbol may shift depending on how
it is used in the story.

2. Imagery

Imagery refers to the use of vivid, descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping the
reader to visualize scenes, feel emotions, or experience a setting or moment. It’s about
painting a picture with words. Imagery is when a writer uses detailed, sensory language to
create pictures in your mind. It helps you see, smell, hear, feel, or taste things in the story.

 Easy Example:
o In the sentence, “The crisp autumn leaves crackled underfoot, and the sharp
scent of pine filled the air,” the writer is using imagery to make you imagine
 a specific scene. You can see the leaves and hear them crunch, and you can
almost smell the pine.
o Another example: In the poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William
Wordsworth, he describes fields of daffodils:

"A crowd, a host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, under the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze."

o This makes you see the flowers and feel the movement in the wind.

 Example: In the poem To Autumn by John Keats:

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run."

In this excerpt, the imagery evokes a sense of the season of autumn—its colors,
textures, and smells—making the reader almost "feel" the air, "see" the ripening
fruits, and "sense" the warmth of the sun. Keats uses sensory details to bring autumn
to life, highlighting the richness and fullness of the season.

 Another example: In The Road by Cormac McCarthy, the imagery is stark and
haunting:

"The sky was a dead gray, a burned-out ash of the same color as the trees, the
earth, the air. The world seemed as if it had been reduced to charcoal and
dust."

The imagery here conveys the bleak, post-apocalyptic world, evoking a sense of
desolation and hopelessness. McCarthy’s choice of words—"dead gray," "burned-out
ash," and "charcoal and dust"—appeals to the visual and tactile senses to emphasize
the devastation.
3. Metaphor

A metaphor is a direct comparison between two things that are not alike but share some
common characteristics. Unlike similes (which use "like" or "as"), metaphors imply the
comparison without the need for those words.

Metaphor

A metaphor is when you say one thing is something else to show a comparison. It’s different
from a simile (which uses “like” or “as”) because a metaphor doesn’t use those words—it just
states that one thing is another.

 Easy Example:
o In the sentence, “The classroom was a zoo,” the metaphor compares the
classroom to a zoo. It means the classroom is loud, busy, and chaotic, just like
a zoo. It doesn’t mean the classroom is actually a zoo; it's just using the word
"zoo" to help you understand the situation better.
o Another example: In the song “The Eye of the Tiger,” the metaphor
compares the feeling of determination to the "eye of the tiger." This doesn’t
mean someone has a literal tiger's eye, but it suggests that their focus and
courage are like the sharp, strong qualities of a tiger.

 Example: In Shakespeare’s As You Like It, he writes:

"All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players."

Here, Shakespeare uses the metaphor of life as a stage. He is suggesting that life itself
is a performance, and people play various roles. This metaphor invites readers to think
about their own roles in life and the transient nature of human existence.

 Another example: In Emily Dickinson's poem Hope is the thing with feathers, she
describes hope as a bird:
 "Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all."

The metaphor of hope as a bird highlights its lightness, persistence, and uplifting
nature. This transforms an abstract concept into something more tangible and
evocative.

Comparing and Contrasting These Elements:

 Symbolism vs. Metaphor: Both symbolism and metaphor represent deeper

meanings, but they do so differently. A metaphor is a more direct comparison (e.g.,
"life is a stage"), while symbolism is often more complex and involves an object or
element standing for something more abstract (e.g., the green light in The Great
Gatsby).
 Imagery vs. Symbolism: Imagery appeals to the senses and creates a vivid picture,
while symbolism adds an additional layer of meaning. For example, a description of a
storm (imagery) can symbolize turmoil or chaos (symbolism). The difference lies in
how the image works: imagery is the sensory experience, while symbolism is the
hidden meaning behind the image.

Why Writers Use These Elements:

 Symbolism adds depth and layers of meaning to a text, making it richer and allowing
readers to engage with the story on a symbolic level. It often connects personal or
emotional experiences to universal themes.
 Imagery helps create a sensory experience for readers, making the world of the story
more vivid and real. It also supports the emotional atmosphere or mood of the piece.
 Metaphors simplify complex ideas or concepts and allow writers to express thoughts
in creative, often unexpected ways. They provide insight into characters' emotions,
experiences, or philosophical ideas by comparing something abstract to something
concrete.