Style is the distinctive mark that distinguishes a particular mode of performance, production or expression. It is often described by a characteristic quality that is experienced as expressive of psychological states, as “a passionate style,” “a humorous style.” Frequently such descriptions shade over into intrasensory (synesthetic) description, as when a musical piece is said to have a certain “jazzy” or “hieratic” style. The term may also be used to describe the distinctive mark of a group, period or country, as in gypsy music, French cuisine, American jazz or Russian language; and it is often used as a shorthand for one person’s habitual manner of doing or writing (as in, “I have never been able to get into her style of doing things”).
There are theories of development that claim that styles pass through various stages in the course of artistic maturation and become more and more sophisticated. But such characterizations are always open to contrasting interpretations. The search for complexity may be interpreted as a reaction to the overripeness of an art that has reached its limits; or it may be seen as an attempt to escape from a stale convention.
It is equally dangerous to equate styles with the habits and traditions of whole groups or times. Many conservative societies will tend to resist change in all fields of artistic expression, while dynamic ones will attach prestige to experimentation and the new (Peckham 1965). But it is hardly possible to make a scientifically sound analysis of the relationship between style and such social factors.
A better approach to the problem of style is to regard it as a variable in the process of communication. A text that is adroitly and skillfully written will convey its meaning in an effective way, whether it be a speech, an essay or a novel. Conversely, a poorly written text may confuse and bore the reader even though it has all the elements of a work of value.
Style is not only an art form, but it is an integral part of every communication. It gives the speaker or writer a unique and personal touch that distinguishes him or her from others. Without it, communication would be a dull and stale affair. For that reason, the ability to develop a distinctive style is important for anyone who wants to be successful.