Direct writing style

Stylistics is a branch of applied linguistics; it is the study of style in all texts, especially literary texts. Also called literary linguistics, stylistics focuses on the figures, tropes, and other rhetorical devices used to provide variety and a distinctness to someone's writing.

It is linguistic analysis plus literary criticism.

According to Katie Wales in "A Dictionary of Stylistics," the goal of

"most stylistics is not simply to describe the formal features of texts for their own sake, but in order to show their functional significance for the interpretation of the text; or in order to relate literary effects to linguistic 'causes' where these are felt to be relevant."

Studying a text closely helps to unearth layers of meaning that run deeper than just the basic plot, which happens on the surface level.

Elements of Style in Literature

In any literature or writing class, the elements of style studied in literary works will be discussed. These include:

Big-Picture Elements

• Character dev
  how to analyze a writing style
  analysing style of writing