Style is as style does

I have been struggling to write this post. In my last post I accidentally hinted at a definition of style (the heart-head thing). I am terrified by the prospect of identifying what is means to have style. We have spent an entire semester discussing and analyze this very topic and I still can’t define it. Each of the writers we read and discussed in class defined style is slightly different ways.  It seems that every writer in the history of writing (except for me) is able to define what style is and how to have style in your writing. (for my next trick I will use the word style in one sentence no less than 8 times!)

Last week we had our in-class final and lo-and-behold  Dr. Cottrill asked us to define style and then (tremble-tremble-tremble) defend our definition. Because I am- 

     A) a fool

     B) a glutton for punishment

     C) a really big f***ing fool

     D) bold and daring

I chose this question (see I am a fool, I could have chosen a different question [either A or C above] ) and answered it by saying (here is comes) that I cannot define style. That’s right, I answered a final exam question by saying I cannot answer it. After you recover from the shock of how brilliant[ly stupid] I am consider this: I did give a few examples of other people’s definitions that I felt were applicable and interesting. I also discussed several of the elements of style that I feel are key to writer. However, all of this was just a casual way of leading up to my (I think) epiphany; in order to have style you must be aware of what it means to have style.  I believe that the desire to write with style will, in fact, lead to stylish writing. For example I value clarity, audience awareness, and diction, and I believe my writing shows this. I also love hyperbole, mixed-metaphors, parenthesis, personification, and irony. I believe I hope I pray that simply thinking of these figures of speech and trying to use them is enough. 

Writing, like EVERYTHING in life, requires practice, patience, and perspicuity. Okay maybe not everything in life requires Perspicuity, but it surely cannot hurt. Happy Writing!