Defining Writing Style :: Writing Style Styles Essays

Defining Style In a search for the meaning of true style, I consulted two books on the subject. These texts differ on many levels, but most strikingly are their styles of presentation. Strunk and White, authors of The Elements of Style, lean more towards the rule-book approach, telling us what to do and when to do it without much explanation. John Williams, on the other hand, uses his book Style: Toward Clarity and Grace in almost a lecture form, filled with comparative examples of correct and incorrect ways to approach his stylistic suggestions. While the Strunk and White text is smaller and therefore seems to be the better read by default, its guidelines and helpful hints tend to be vague and often contradictory. Williams offers the reader a longer, but manageable, text full of detailed examples and prompts for the reader to test their understanding of his suggestions. When it comes to defining style, Strunk and White can give us no precise definition. They believe that "there is no satisfactory explanation of style, no infallible guide to good writing, no assurance that a person who thinks clearly will be able to write clearly (S&W 66)." In addition to this statement, Strunk and White, give the beginning writer 21 rules that will help them find their style. If I already know these rules (which Strunk and White suggest I do) then they should already be embedded in my style. I shouldn’t need to read about them. In truth, I do. Even skilled professional writers need a refresher course on form every now and then. The Elements of Style offers just that, a quick reference guide for refining your style-not defining it. With a contrasting approach, Williams sets his definition of style as something that cannot be directly taught. Instead of giving us rules to follow, Williams presents devises used by graceful writers, what he calls "ingredients of a modestly elegant style (Williams 153)." As a beginning writer, I found Williams to be helpful. I was able to identify and understand where he was coming from. Several of his "ingredients" were elements that I already try to incorporate into my writing, but now I feel I can do so more seamlessly. One such element, the 4th ingredient in Williams style recipe, is the use of the metaphor.