In fiction, style is the manner in which the author tells the story.

Contents 1 Elements of fiction 2 Components of style 2.1 Fiction-writing modes 2.2 Narrator 2.3 Point of View 2.4 Allegory 2.5 Symbolism 2.6 Tone 2.7 Imagery 2.8 Punctuation 2.9 Word choice 2.10 Sentence structure 2.11 Subtlety 2.12 Cohesion 2.13 Consistency 2.14 Reader involvement 2.15 Voice 2.16 Show, Don't Tell 3 References 4 See also

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

• Fiction
• Fiction-writing modes
• Show, don't tell
• Narrative