Different Styles of Writing: Which One Matches Your Voice?

Have you ever noticed how there are different styles of writing all around us? From the books you read to the texts you send, writing comes in many flavors. Each style has its own purpose and vibe. Mastering more than one style can make you a versatile communicator, whether you’re crafting a story, explaining a concept, or even jotting a handwritten note. In this post, we’ll explore the various writing styles, both the way we express ideas on paper and the way we physically write on lines. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of which style fits you best (and how to improve in others)!

Different Styles of Writing

When people talk about “writing style,” they might mean a few things. It could refer to the tone and technique of a piece of text, or even the way we form letters on a page. In fact, there are multiple different styles of writing worth knowing. In this guide, we’ll cover both sides: the classic four types of writing used in content and communication, and the handwriting styles you learned in school (like manuscript vs cursive). Understanding these different styles of writing will help you choose the right approach for any writing project.

The Four Main Writing Styles

Most written works can be grouped into four broad categories. These are the go-to styles for everything from school essays to novels. Let’s break down each one and see what makes it unique:

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing tells a story. If you’ve read a novel, short story, or even a personal essay, you’ve seen narrative style in action. This style has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with characters and a plot guiding the reader through the tale. The goal is to engage the reader’s imagination and emotions. For example, a memoir or a fiction novel uses narrative writing to draw you into the characters’ world. It often uses a casual or personal tone, as if the writer is speaking to you directly and taking you on a journey.

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing is all about painting a picture with words. Instead of just stating facts, a descriptive style will show you what something feels like, sounds like, or looks like in vivid detail. It appeals to the five senses. Good descriptive writing can make you smell the bread baking in a story or feel the chill of a winter night just by reading the words. This style is common in poetry and certain passages of fiction where setting and atmosphere are crucial. The key is using rich, specific language to create a clear image in the reader’s mind.

Expository Writing

Expository writing aims to inform or explain. Think of textbook chapters, how-to articles, news reports, or even the post you’re reading right now, these usually fall under expository style. The focus here is on delivering information clearly and logically, without inserting personal opinions. For instance, a scientific article or a recipe blog post explaining a process uses an expository approach. The writing is straightforward and organized, often breaking down complex ideas into simpler terms. This style values clarity and comprehension above all.

Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is written to convince the reader of something. When you read an opinion column, a product review, or an advertisement, you’re looking at persuasive style. The author will present arguments, reasons, and evidence to sway your opinion or motivate you to take action. This style often mixes facts with emotional appeals. For example, a charity fundraiser letter might combine statistics (expository) with heart-touching stories (narrative/descriptive) to persuade you to donate. The tone can be passionate, logical, or both, whatever it takes to make the case.

Each of these four main styles serves a different purpose. In practice, a single piece of writing can blend styles. A good magazine feature might start with a descriptive scene, tell a story (narrative), present some data (expository), and end with a call to action (persuasive). Knowing the differences helps you recognize what style is needed when. It’s like having multiple tools in your toolbox: sometimes you need a screwdriver (expository clarity), other times a paintbrush (descriptive flair) or maybe both! A well-rounded writer knows how to navigate these different styles of writing as needed.

Beyond these four, there are other specialized writing styles too. Technical writing (like user manuals or legal documents) focuses on clarity and precision, often falling under expository. Academic writing is usually formal and evidence-based, which is another flavor of expository/persuasive mix. Business writing (emails, reports) tends to be clear and direct. And of course, creative writing can blend narrative and descriptive styles to entertain and inspire. No matter the context, the best writers pick the style (or mix of styles) that fits their goal and audience.

Handwriting Styles: Manuscript Writing vs. Cursive

Now let’s switch from content to the physical act of writing. Remember back in school when you learned to write your letters neatly on lined paper? That was likely manuscript writing (also called print writing), where each letter is separate. Later on, many of us were taught cursive, where the letters connect in a flowing script. These are two very different styles of writing by hand.

What is Manuscript Writing?

In simple terms, it means writing in unjoined letters, basically, the block letters that children learn first. Each letter is distinct (no fancy curls or connections). Manuscript writing is often easier for beginners because it’s clear and simple. In fact, the term comes from the idea of a “manuscript” being something written by hand. Traditionally, manuscript writing refers to handwriting that uses separate letters made of basic strokes (lines and circles) the style you see in elementary workbooks. (According to Merriam-Webster, manuscript writing is handwriting made of unjoined letters, often taught in schools.) Most kids start with this print style before moving on to cursive. And in the publishing world, the word “manuscript” also means a draft of a book or document that an author has written (whether by hand or typed). So don’t be confused, manuscript writing can refer to both a handwriting style and a writer’s draft!

Cursive writing, on the other hand, connects letters together in each word with a flowing motion. This style can be faster to write once you’re used to it, because you don’t have to lift the pen after each letter. Cursive also has a more elegant, traditional look, think of a fancy signature or old-fashioned letters from the 1800s. However, cursive can be harder for beginners to read (and write) because the letters change shape when they’re joined. That’s why schools teach manuscript (print) first, to establish the letter forms clearly. Some people stick with manuscript printing their whole lives, while others love the speed and style of cursive once they learn it. There’s no right or wrong they’re just two different styles of writing by hand.

Using a Writing Line Template

One tool that helps with neat handwriting is a writing line template. If you’ve ever seen those practice sheets with lines (often with a dotted line in the middle), that’s a writing line template. It’s basically a guided sheet that shows you where to write each letter so that the heights and spacing are consistent. For example, young students use these templates to practice making all their lowercase letters the right size and sitting on the line, or to ensure their capital letters reach the proper height. A writing line template usually has two solid lines with a dashed line in between, the dashed line helps you judge the midpoint for letters like “e” or “o”. Using these guides, anyone learning manuscript writing can improve their legibility.

Even as an adult, if you want to improve your handwriting (maybe you want to start a neat journal or write letters by hand), you can print out writing line templates and practice. They’re great for muscle memory, training your hand to write evenly. Over time, you won’t need the template lines because you’ll naturally write in straight lines with consistent sizing. It’s a bit like training wheels when learning to ride a bike. And here’s a fun fact: studies show that writing by hand activates your brain in ways typing doesn’t. For instance, research covered in Scientific American found that taking notes with pen and paper can boost memory and understanding compared to typing. So not only can practicing with a writing line template improve your penmanship, it might even help you remember what you write better!

Finding Your Own Writing Style

As you explore these different styles of writing, remember that developing your own style is a personal journey. Every famous writer has a unique voice. Some keep it short and simple; others weave long, flowery sentences. Consider the contrast between two well-known authors: Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner. Hemingway’s writing style was straightforward and unadorned, while Faulkner’s was complex and lyrical. They even had a playful feud about it.

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.” – William Faulkner (on Ernest Hemingway)

Faulkner’s cheeky comment above poked fun at Hemingway’s simple style. Hemingway reportedly quipped back in defense of his approach, showing that each style has its merits. The point is, there’s no single “best” style of writing, it depends on what you’re trying to achieve and what feels natural to you. Your style might be influenced by writers you admire (and that’s okay!). In fact, a great way to find your voice is to read widely and even mimic different authors as practice. Over time, you’ll blend those influences into something that’s uniquely yours.

Here are a few tips as you hone your own writing style:

• Read a lot: The more you read different authors and genres, the more you’ll subconsciously learn about what styles you enjoy and what works well. Notice how a news article differs from a fantasy novel, or how a blog post like this differs from a formal report, these are all different styles of writing.
• Write regularly: Try out various styles. Write a descriptive journal entry one day, a persuasive letter to the editor another, or even practice some handwriting by copying a paragraph in cursive. Experimenting helps you discover your preferences and strengths.
• Get feedback: Ask someone you trust to read your writing and tell you what stands out. Is it engaging? Is it clear? Sometimes others can pinpoint aspects of your style that you might not notice.
• Be true to yourself: While it’s great to learn from others, don’t force a style that isn’t you. If you’re naturally witty and casual, that can shine in your writing. If you love big words and detail, that’s okay too, just remember clarity is key for readers. Your genuine voice is what will resonate most.

Finally, remember that even the most experienced writers seek help to improve their work. You might master the art of storytelling or have gorgeous handwriting, but a fresh pair of eyes can help refine any piece. If you have a manuscript (in the book draft sense of the word!) that you’re looking to publish, consider working with professionals to polish it. For example, our editorial services can help edit and refine your book while respecting your unique style. And when you’re ready to share your work with the world, we offer self-publishing services to guide you through formatting, design, and distribution. We love helping writers transform their ideas into a finished book.

One more thing: don’t worry if your style isn’t perfect right away. Writing is a process, and even the pros rewrite and edit multiple times. You might draft a story in a loose, narrative way, then tighten it up with an expository eye for clarity during revision. Mixing approaches is normal! In fact, you’ll often combine different styles of writing as you revise. The important part is to get your ideas down first, you can always refine the style later.

Whether you’re practicing neat manuscript writing on a template or experimenting with different narrative voices, every bit of practice brings you closer to finding the perfect style for you. Keep exploring different styles of writing, keep writing, and enjoy the process, your voice as a writer will continue to grow with every word you write!

Writing and publishing a book: from first draft to finished work

If you have ever dreamed of writing and publishing a book, here is the friendly truth no one tells you soon enough, it is absolutely doable if you break the journey into simple, repeatable steps. Your voice matters, and the craft gets easier when you treat it like a process instead of a mystery. Whether you lean toward memoir, how-to, or fantasy, the same foundations apply. In fact, your progress speeds up when you align your plan with the different styles of writing you use along the way, brainstorming may be descriptive and messy, drafting may be narrative and exploratory, revising is often expository and precise.

Start with purpose and promise. Before page one, answer two quick questions. Who am I writing for, and what do they walk away with after chapter ten. Write your answers on a sticky note and keep it within view. This simple anchor keeps scenes, arguments, and chapter headings pointed in the same direction.

Build a lightweight outline. Think of an outline as a travel itinerary, not a cage. Use short bullet lines for chapters, then one sentence per scene or idea. If you prefer a visual map, sketch boxes and arrows. The outline is allowed to change as your draft grows, that is a sign of a living book.

Draft fast, revise slow. Drafting is for discovery, so give yourself permission to write badly on purpose. Turn off spellcheck for a session, set a timer for 25 minutes, and keep your fingers moving. Then, in revision, switch hats. Read aloud, tighten verbs, surface facts where readers need them, and smooth the rhythm. A good book is not written once, it is rewritten well.

Design your reader’s experience. Books are read with eyes, ears, and hearts. Use informative chapter titles, add subheads that guide attention, and include images, charts, or pull quotes only when they truly help comprehension. Keep paragraphs breathable, especially in nonfiction. If your genre permits, include reflection questions or a short checklist at the end of key chapters.

• Clarity beats cleverness. Say the right thing simply, then add flavor without losing meaning.
• Momentum is a habit. Write small, daily, predictable amounts, 300 solid words are enough.
• Feedback is a gift. Invite early readers from your target audience, not just friends.

Prepare your manuscript like a pro. Clean formatting helps editors help you. Use consistent styles for headings, body text, and captions, and compile a clean, single file. Add a short synopsis and a back-of-book description draft, these make later marketing easier and sharpen your focus now.

Choose your publishing path wisely. Traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing all work, they simply serve different goals. Traditional excels when you want broad bookstore distribution and are willing to wait through longer timelines. Self-publishing shines when you value speed, creative control, and higher royalty percentages. Hybrid can blend support with flexibility. Whichever path you pick, treat quality as non-negotiable, strong editing, thoughtful design, and a professional cover signal trust to readers.

Think beyond launch day. A book earns its audience through consistent, helpful presence. Build a simple author platform, a one-page site, a focused email list, and a handful of authentic social posts that share value, not just announcements. Pair your chapters with articles, podcasts, workshops, or reading guides. Momentum after release matters as much as preorders.

Most of all, remember this, writing and publishing a book is a craft you can learn. Take one small step today, outline a chapter, draft a messy page, or revise a paragraph. The finish line gets closer every time you sit down and write.

Conclusion: Finding Your Voice Across Different Styles

As you explore the different styles of writing, you begin to notice something simple and empowering, style is not a label you wear forever, it is a set of choices you make on purpose. Some days you will lean into narrative warmth, other days you will reach for expository clarity or persuasive momentum. The real progress happens when you match your intention to your approach, and when you edit with the reader’s experience in mind. If a page feels heavy, trim it. If a scene lacks color, add detail. If a chapter drifts, give it a sharper promise in the first lines.

Keep practicing, a few steady sessions beat a single marathon draft. Keep reading, voices unlike your own often unlock new pathways in your work. And keep your project human, write to a real person, answer a real question, aim for one clear win per chapter. If along the way you want a second pair of eyes, a thoughtful edit, or help shaping a manuscript into a finished book, we are here to help. Reach out when it suits you, ask about the one step you need next, and we will gladly point you forward with practical options. Your voice matters, and it grows stronger each time you choose the right words for the moment.