Style in literature is the way in which a writer uses language, including word choice, sentence structure, imagery, rhythm, and figurative language. It is the distinctive manner of expression that characterises a text or an author.

Style can be formal or informal, plain or ornate, concise or verbose. It shapes tone, mood, and meaning, and it is often analysed in literary criticism. Major stylistic movements include realism, modernism, and minimalism, each with its own conventions.

Key points

• Manner of expression
• Includes diction, syntax, and imagery
• Can be formal, plain, or ornate
• Central to literary analysis