Expanding on Key Elements of Writing Style and Technique

By Olivia Salter

Strong storytelling depends on voice, tone, point of view, sentence structure, diction, literary devices, dialogue style, descriptive techniques, and narrative distance. Each element shapes how a story is experienced and interpreted by the reader.

1. Voice & Tone

Voice: The writer’s distinct style, personality, and way of telling a story.

• Can be formal (scholarly, professional) or casual (conversational, relaxed).
• Can be humorous (witty, sarcastic), dark (grim, foreboding), lyrical (poetic, rhythmic), or sparse (minimalist, direct).
• Should feel consistent with the story’s themes and characters.

Example:

• Formal: "One cannot help but observe the gradual decay of civility in the absence of social constraint."
• Casual: "People get real rude when nobody’s watching."

Tone: The emotional atmosphere and attitude toward the subject matter.

• Hopeful: “Despite the storm, the sunrise promised a new beginning.”
• Melancholic: “The light seeped through the cracks, but it was never enough to chase away the shadows.”
• Ironic: “Of course, the one day I forget my umbrella is the day it rains.”

Tip: Adjust diction, sentence structure, and pacing to reinforce tone.

2. Point of View (POV)

POV determines how much the reader knows and how intimately they experience the story.

• First Person ("I") – Immersive, subjective, limited to one character’s perspective.
  • Example: “I never liked the sound of my own voice, but tonight, it echoed louder than my thoughts.”
• Second Person ("You") – Rare, creates immediacy, often used in experimental fiction or self-help.
  • Example: “You walk into the room, heart pounding, knowing this is your last chance.”
• Third Person Limited – Follows one character’s thoughts and experiences.
  • Example: “She hesitated at the door, wondering if she had the courage to step inside.”
• Third Person Omniscient – All-knowing narrator with access to multiple characters’ thoughts.
  • Example: “She hesitated at the door, while across the street, her brother watched nervously, hoping she’d turn back.”
• Multiple POV – Alternates between perspectives, offering broader insight.
  • Example: A novel alternating between the perspectives of a detective and the criminal they’re hunting.

Tip: POV consistency is key—shifting between perspectives without clear intention can confuse readers.

3. Sentence Structure

Sentence variety influences pacing, rhythm, and tension.

• Short sentences = Impact, tension, urgency.
  • Example: “The door slammed. Silence. Then footsteps.”
• Long sentences = Flow, introspection, detailed descriptions.
  • Example: “She traced the edges of the worn-out photograph, remembering the last time she saw him, the way the sunlight hit his face just right.”
• Fragments for emphasis.
  • Example: “Not today. Not ever.”
• Parallel structure for balance and emphasis.
  • Example: “She ran through the fields, she ran through the city, she ran through time itself.”

4. Diction (Word Choice)

Word choice shapes the tone, setting, and authenticity of a story.

• Formal vs. Informal Language
  • Formal: “The individual expressed discontent with the proceedings.”
  • Informal: “He was pissed off about how things went.”
• Period-Appropriate Vocabulary
  • A 19th-century novel wouldn’t use modern slang like “cool” or “vibe.”
• Technical vs. Simple Words
  • Technical: “The physician diagnosed acute myocardial infarction.”
  • Simple: “The doctor said he had a heart attack.”
• Concrete vs. Abstract Language
  • Concrete: “The rusty iron gate creaked open.”
  • Abstract: “The entrance felt ominous.”
• Sensory Details for Vividness
  • Example: “The cinnamon-sweet scent of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen.”

5. Literary Devices

Use literary techniques to enhance meaning and emotional impact.

• Metaphor/Simile:
  • Metaphor: “His heart was a locked door.”
  • Simile: “She moved like a shadow in the night.”
• Symbolism: Objects or imagery representing deeper themes.
  • Example: A broken watch symbolizing lost time.
• Foreshadowing: Hints about future events.
  • Example: “The air was too still. Too quiet.”
• Irony: Creates contrast between expectation and reality.
  • Example: A firefighter’s house burning down.
• Alliteration/Assonance: Adds rhythm and musicality.
  • Example: “The waves whispered wistful wishes.”

6. Dialogue Style

Dialogue should feel natural and reflect character personalities.

• Natural vs. Stylized Speech:
  • Natural: “I don’t know, man. Seems risky.”
  • Stylized: “Perchance this endeavor be fraught with peril.”
• Use of Dialect/Accents: Adds authenticity but should be readable.
  • Example: “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
• Tagged vs. Untagged Dialogue:
  • Tagged: “I don’t believe you,” she whispered.
  • Untagged: Works best in rapid exchanges.
• Integration with Action:
  • Example: “Get down!” she shouted, ducking behind the crate.
• Character-Specific Speech Patterns:
  • Example: A professor might speak in long, precise sentences, while a teenager uses slang.

7. Descriptive Techniques

Good description immerses readers without slowing the story.

• Show vs. Tell Balance:
  • Show: “Her hands trembled as she fumbled with the letter.”
  • Tell: “She was nervous.”
• Sensory Details: Use all five senses for vivid storytelling.
  • Example: “The tang of salt filled the air as waves crashed against the shore.”
• White Space and Pacing: Use paragraph breaks and spacing for dramatic effect.
• Scene Setting: Establish mood through environment.
  • Example: “A flickering streetlamp cast eerie shadows on the empty alley.”
• Character Appearance/Mannerisms: Show personality through physical traits.
  • Example: “He ran a hand through his graying hair, sighing.”

8. Narrative Distance

How closely the narrator stays to the character’s mind.

• Close: Deep inside the character’s thoughts and emotions.
  • Example: “Her chest tightened. No. She couldn’t lose him, not again.”
• Medium: Balanced mix of internal and external perspective.
  • Example: “She hesitated, gripping the letter. Outside, rain tapped against the window.”
• Far: More detached, focusing on observation.
  • Example: “She picked up the letter and read it in silence.”
• Can Vary for Effect: A story may start with a distant perspective and shift closer as tension rises.

Final Thoughts

Mastering voice, POV, sentence structure, diction, literary devices, dialogue, description, and narrative distance makes writing engaging and immersive. Would you like tailored exercises on applying these techniques to your writing?