Stylistic Analysis

Style or Diction



I. Formal Style or Diction

1. sentences:

relatively long and involved and complicated;

frequent use of parallel and periodic and complex sentences

2. vocabulary

extensive vocabulary

frequent use of learned words/hard words, words of Latin origin

avoids abbreviations, contractions, colloquialisms ands slang

3. grammatical usage

very conservative and strict

observes distinctions which are often ignored at a less formal level

4. tone

impersonal, dignified

5. writer’s attitude

a serious and dignified attitude towards the subject and the reader/listeners


II. Colloquial Style or Diction

1. sentences:

relatively short and simple; “loose” sentences

often grammatically incomplete with few rhetorical devices

2. vocabulary

general avoidance of learned and hard words

inclusion of some less objectionable slang words (but no vulgar words)

3. grammatical usage

frequent use of contractions (I’ll, we’ve, didn’t, can’t etc)

clipped words (ads for advertisements; exam for examination; phone for telephone)

omission of relative pronouns which would be retained in formal style.

Simplified grammatical structure which leans heavily on idiomatic constructions and sometimes ignores the fine distinctions of formal grammar.

4. tone

a personal or familiar tone, by which the writer tries to create the impression of speaking intimately to the reader

5. writer’s attitude

casual, less serious, sometimes humorous,


III. Informal Style or Diction

(tries to avoid the dangers of the extremes of formal and colloquial style)

1. sentences

sentence patterns are less involved than those of formal English without being as loose or fragmentary as those of the colloquial style

2. vocabulary

may occasionally use learned words, but it prefers idiomatic expressions and words that are easy rather than impressive

3. grammatical usage

avoids the nice requirements of formal grammar without being dominated by conversational usage

omission of relative pronouns which would be retained in formal style.

Simplified grammatical structure which leans heavily on idiomatic constructions and sometimes ignores the fine distinctions of formal grammar.

4. Tone and attitude

It may have the seriousness of the formal style. But without its dignity;

The informality of the colloquial style without its easygoing familiarity