The 8 Types of Writing Styles (+ Definition & Examples)

Are you ready to transform your writing from bland to captivating?

Do you want to engage your audience and leave them yearning for more?

Then buckle up because we’re about to explore 10 writing styles that’ll take your narrative to the next level!

But first, let’s cover the basics…

What is a Writing Style?

A writing style is like your unique fingerprint. It’s the distinct way you weave words together, the tone you set, the vibe you create.

Think of it as the secret sauce that makes your writing stand out from the crowd.

But why should you care?

Because mastering different writing styles allows you to:

• Engage your target audience on a deeper level
• Convey your message with clarity and impact
• Establish your unique voice and personal brand
• Adapt your writing to different purposes and platforms

So, whether you’re crafting a blog post, penning your first book, or writing a social media post, understanding writing styles is key.

8 Different Types of Writing Styles to Master in 2024 (& Beyond)

Now you have a firm understanding of what a writing style is, it’s time for the main event.

So, without further ado and in no particular order, let’s journey through the diverse writing styles, starting with…

1. Persuasive Writing

• Ads
• Sales letters
• Political speeches

Persuasive writing is all about convincing your reader to take a specific action or adopt a certain viewpoint. 

It’s the style you’ll often find in sales pages, advertisements, and copywriting.

To nail persuasive writing:

• Use logic, emotions, and credibility to make your case
• Anticipate and address counterarguments
• Emphasize benefits and value for the reader
• Use strong calls-to-action

Now, let’s examine an example of this writing style in action for a life coaching program.

Before…

“Our life coaching program can help you wake up every morning with a sense of purpose and passion. 

It has a proven track record and good testimonials. It’s a good investment in yourself. 

Sign up now and start transforming your life.”

After adding a touch of persuasive writing…

“Imagine waking up every morning with a sense of purpose and passion. That’s what our life coaching program can do for you. 

With a proven track record and glowing testimonials, it’s the investment in yourself you’ve been waiting for. 

Don’t let another day go by feeling stuck — sign up now and start transforming your life today!”

Notice the difference?

The persuasive style transforms a bland description into an irresistible offer that tugs at readers’ emotions and desires.

2. Creative Writing

• Poetry
• Novels
• Memoirs

Next up, let’s dive into the enchanting world of creative writing. 

This is where you let your imagination run wild, crafting captivating content that transports readers to another realm.

To master creative writing:

• Show, don’t tell — use vivid imagery, and sensory details
• Develop interesting, multi-dimensional characters
• Create compelling plots with conflict and resolution
• Experiment with literary devices like metaphors and symbolism

Let’s see how a simple scene can be transformed with a dash of creative writing magic.

Before… 

“Sarah approached the old, abandoned house. She felt scared. She reached for the doorknob, not knowing what was inside.”

And after… 

“The old house stood at the end of the street, its windows boarded up and its paint peeling. 

As Sarah approached, a chill ran down her spine. 

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching her from behind those weathered walls. 

With a trembling hand, she reached for the rusted doorknob, not knowing that what awaited her inside would change her life forever.”

See how creative writing breathes life into a scene, making it more immersive and engaging?

3. Expository Writing

• Textbooks
• Instructions
• News articles

Moving on, let’s explore the realm of the expository writing style.  

So, what is it?

Well, expository writing aims to inform, explain, or describe a topic, and it’s often used in textbooks, news articles, and how-to guides.

To excel at expository writing:

• Present information in a clear, logical manner
• Break down complex topics into easier-to-understand parts
• Use examples and analogies to illustrate points
• Maintain an objective, impartial tone

Let’s take a look at how expository writing can make a complex topic more digestible using this statement… 

“Photosynthesis is when plants use sunlight to make energy. It happens in the leaves. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and makes glucose and oxygen.”

Now, let’s add a bit of expository writing…

“Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. It takes place primarily in the leaves, where specialized structures called chloroplasts contain a green pigment called chlorophyll. This chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, which kicks off a series of chemical reactions. 

The end result is glucose, which the plant uses as food, and oxygen, which is released into the air.”

The unique writing style breaks down the process of photosynthesis into clear, easy-to-follow steps, making it more accessible and digestible to the reader.

4. Narrative Writing

• Plays
• Short stories
• Autobiography

Narrative writing tells a story, whether it’s a personal anecdote, a fictional tale, or a historical account.

So, to craft a compelling narrative:

• Establish a clear story structure with a beginning, middle, and end
• Use dialogue to bring characters to life
• Create a strong sense of setting and atmosphere
• Employ a consistent point of view (first person, third person, etc.)

Now, how can narrative writing transform a simple anecdote into a captivating story? 

Well, let’s take a look at an example…

“I got married on a day I’ll never forget. I was nervous but happy. We had faced challenges but overcame them. It was the start of our love story.”

After adding a pinch of narrative writing… 

“It was a day I’ll never forget. 

As I stood at the altar, my heart racing, I looked into the eyes of the person I was about to marry. 

In that moment, all the challenges we had faced to get to this point — the distance, the disapproval of others, the self-doubt — melted away. 

I knew that this was exactly where I was meant to be and that our love story was only just beginning.”

The narrative writing style adds depth and emotion to the story, making it more engaging and relatable to the reader.

5. Descriptive Writing

• Review writing
• Travel Writing
• Product Descriptions

The descriptive writing style is all about painting a vivid picture with your words. It uses sensory details and figurative language to create a strong sense of setting, character, or mood.

To create powerful descriptive writing:

• Engage all five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)
• Use precise, evocative language
• Employ literary devices like similes and metaphors
• Create a strong sense of mood and atmosphere

Let’s see how descriptive writing can transport the reader to a different place and time.

Before… 

“I walked on the beach. The sand was golden and the water was blue. There was a nice breeze. Seagulls were flying. I felt peaceful.”

After… 

“The beach stretched out before me, a ribbon of golden sand kissed by turquoise waves. 

The salty breeze danced through my hair as seagulls soared overhead, their cries mingling with the distant crash of the surf. 

With each step, my toes sank into the sun-warmed sand, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me. 

It was as if the ocean itself was whispering, ‘Welcome home.’”

The descriptive writing style brings the scene to life, immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and sensations of the beach.

6. Academic Writing

• Essays
• Research papers
• Personal statements

Next on our list is the academic writing style. It’s most commonly used in research papers, scholarly articles, and academic essays. 

Essentially, It’s characterized by a formal tone, precise language, and a clear, logical structure.

To succeed in academic writing:

• Use precise, discipline-specific terminology
• Cite reputable sources to support arguments
• Maintain a formal, impartial tone
• Structure arguments logically with clear transitions

Let’s see how academic writing can make a research finding more credible and authoritative with an example…

“This study looked at how social media affects teenagers’ self-esteem. 200 teenagers took a survey about their social media use and self-esteem. The results showed that using social media a lot was related to lower self-esteem scores.”

And after adding academic writing…

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between social media use and self-esteem among adolescents. 

A sample of 200 participants aged 13-18 completed an online survey assessing daily social media usage and self-esteem levels using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). 

Results indicated a significant negative correlation between time spent on social media and self-esteem scores (r = -.68, p < .01). 

These findings suggest that excessive social media use may have detrimental effects on adolescent self-esteem.”

This style lends credibility to the research findings, making them more persuasive and trustworthy.

7. Technical Writing

• White papers
• User manuals
• Scientific writing

Technical writing (or business writing) aims to explain complex topics in a clear, concise way. To write effective technical pieces:

• Use simple, direct language
• Break processes into clear, sequential steps
• Employ visual aids like diagrams and flowcharts
• Define technical terms and acronyms

Let’s see how technical writing can make a complex process easier to understand with another example…

“To install the software, download the file and double-click it. Follow the instructions in the setup wizard. Choose where you want to install it. Wait for it to finish, then click ‘Finish’ to open the software.”

After… 

“To install the software, first download the setup file from our website. Double-click the file to begin the installation process. 

Click ‘Next’ to proceed through the setup wizard, accepting the license terms when prompted. 

Choose your desired installation location, then click ‘Install.’ The process may take several minutes. 

Once complete, click ‘Finish’ to exit the wizard and launch the software.”

The technical writing style breaks down the installation process into clear, easy-to-follow steps, making it more accessible to the reader.

8. Conversational Writing

• Blog posts
• Emails
• Social media

Conversational writing creates a casual, relatable tone that makes the reader feel like they’re having a dialogue with the writer. 

To nail conversational writing:

• Write like you talk, using contractions and simple language
• Ask questions and use second-person pronouns to engage the reader
• Inject personality and humor where appropriate
• Use short paragraphs and sentences for easy readability

Let’s see how conversational writing can make a message more engaging and relatable with an example email…

“It’s June already. Time goes by fast. I have some exciting news to share with you next week. Make sure to check your email. You don’t want to miss it.”

After adding the magic of conversational writing… 

“Hey there! Can you believe it’s already June? 

Time sure flies when you’re having fun (or stuck in a never-ending cycle of work-eat-sleep, am I right?). 

But hey, summer’s just around the corner, and I’ve got some exciting news to share with you. 

We’ve been cooking up some super cool stuff behind the scenes, and I can’t wait to spill the beans. 

Keep an eye on your inbox next week for all the juicy details. 

Trust me, you won’t want to miss this!”

The conversational writing style makes the message more friendly and relatable, creating a stronger connection with the reader.

How to Develop Your Own Writing Style

Every writer has a unique voice, but understanding a different writing style can help refine that voice and ensure your message resonates with your target audience.

So, here’s my first writing tip…

Write Everyday

One of the best ways to develop your writing style is to make writing a daily habit and journal. Set aside dedicated time each day to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and establish your “writing center.”

It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece — the goal is to get your creative juices flowing and to become more comfortable with the act of writing itself.

You see, the more you write, the more your unique voice will emerge and the more confident you’ll become in crafting compelling content.

Embrace Your Life Experiences

Your life experiences, quirks, and perspectives are what make your writing style uniquely yours.

So, don’t be afraid to infuse your writing with your personality and to draw from the rich tapestry of your own life.

Think about the stories you love to tell, the lessons you’ve learned, and the insights you’ve gained.

These elements will give your writing depth, authenticity, and relatability.

Simply Practice, Practice, Practice

Like any skill, developing your writing style takes practice. The more you write, the more you’ll discover what works for you and what doesn’t.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles, voices, and techniques. Step out of your comfort zone and try your hand at a genre or format you’ve never tackled before.

Take writing courses, attend workshops, and read widely to expose yourself to various styles and perspectives.

Ready to Master Your Writing Styles?

Whew, you’ve made it!

What you’ve gained from this journey is a powerful arsenal of writing techniques to enchant your readers, discover your writing style, and build your own style guide.

As you continue to practice, the transformation in your writing skills will be evident, and the reward?

A captivated audience hanging on to every word you write.