Writing Styles: How to Use the 4 Foundational Writing Styles
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Apr 7, 2022 • 2 min read
When you begin a piece of writing, your work will generally fall into one of four broad categories. Each of the four writing styles is suited to a particular purpose. Learn how to use narrative writing, descriptive writing, expository writing, and persuasive writing to great effect.
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4 Types of Writing Styles
There are four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive. While a writer will still incorporate their own voice in their writing, these different forms of writing each have a specific purpose and audience. Each kind of writing will dictate how the author shapes the copy, adjusting their sentence structure and word choice appropriately.
- 1. Narrative writing: Narrative style is writing that tells a narrative storyline and includes elements often found in a novel or short story, like the main character, setting, and plot. It is most often used in fiction writing. Examples of the narrative writing style include fiction novels, screenplays, novellas, autobiographies, and biographies.
- 2. Descriptive writing: Descriptive writing uses figurative language and sensory detail to describe a person, place, or thing to allow readers to create a picture in their minds. In order to accomplish this, the descriptive writing style employs various literary devices, such as allegories, similes, and metaphors. Descriptive writing is the style of writing often found in creative writing such as poetry.
- 3. Expository writing: Use an expository writing style to inform or explain a topic to readers. Examples of expository writing include technical writing, scientific writing, business writing, high school essays, and news stories. The purpose of expository writing is to present a balanced, objective description of a topic. The format of an expository essay allows for a clear and logical explanation of complex information instead of proving a point or providing the author’s opinion on a subject. Expository writing is a valuable skill in many fields of work, including journalism, business, and science.
- 4. Persuasive writing: When you use a persuasive writing style, you communicate your point of view or opinion to try to influence the reader to adopt your stance on a subject. It’s important to include justifications and evidence to support your opinion. Examples of persuasive writing include letters of recommendation, cover letters, advertising campaigns, political speeches, and editorials.
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