What is meant by style and stylistics? (summary)
Dr. Nidhi Agrawal in her article “What is meant by style and stylistics” tries to show us what the style is. She defines style as the means of expressing the idea and stylistics as a link between style and linguistics. Stylistics can be perceived as a branch of linguistics. Dr Agrawal points out (after Roger Fowler) the differences between those two types of studies: While stylistics treats text as a whole, linguistics is more concerned with single sentences and links between them.
When it comes to style, author cites the work of M.H. Abrams who defines it as a linguistics expression in literature, a manner in which the author tells the story. Every author has his own personal style, unique combination of different elements like diction, choice of words, syntax, rhythm pattern etc. This peculiarity of applying language is called idiolect. Stylistics studies the style that author uses in his writing; it helps to understand the way of author's thinking and distinct him from any other writer. He has his own observation that develops in his thoughts and finally turns into the shape of words chosen by him. Style is a kind of mirror of writer's talent which can reflect everything about his writing.
Later on, dr. Agrawal notes that style can be classified on different level such as: personal idiosyncrasy, technique of exposition, or highest achievement of literature. She points out that there are no strict rules for writing so there are no strict rules for style because it is a kind of departure from the strict patterns. It can differ depending on situation, level of formality or origin of people that are talking. Style will be different for the language of advertisement and that of literature. Everything depends on what message the author wants to convey.
Justyna Filim