Assistant Professor of English, MCC

Part of developing your own writing identity is also understanding when to use different writing styles and when to use others. So, we really have two definitions of style here. We have the idea of writing with style as developing your own unique writing voice, and we have the idea of writing styles as kinds of writing.

Let's look at the different styles kinds of writing. I'm sure many of you have read articles in a newspaper, in a magazine, in school, in your work environment that are very formal in style, very academic. The language sets the formal tone the writer uses, often language that appeals to our intellect. You will be doing formal writing in this class. In contrast, many of you have also read articles that are very informal in style, almost conversational, appealing to our emotions. Again, the tone of the writing is set by the language used and even by the subject discussed. You'll also be doing informal writing in this class. That’s what the journals are for.

Now, how about those columns in the newspaper that are often humorous in style, trying to prove a point through sarcasm. Again, the tone is evident through the language and the subject discussed. Lately, it seems just about every column is satirical in nature, poking fun or making a point about the current political scandal.

One component of writing with style is to understand your writing audience. Picture this: several months ago, I was invited to give a presentation to Dr. Peter Spina, the president of MCC, about my online teaching experiences. I was to present to him and his cabinet at their monthly board meeting. In anticipating my audience, I prepared a speech that was fairly formal and academic in style. In addition, I dressed in a nice gold and black flecked suit, small unassuming earrings, and black shoes. Even my style of dress reflected an understanding of my audience. Obviously, it would not have been appropriate to waltz in there in blue jeans and Birkenstocks with a "Hey guys, how's it going" flying off my lips. But, what I can say is that my personality (like the wind) was still there behind the formal, academic style I used to express it. I was powerful, exciting, daring and I did indeed challenge some of their previous concepts about online writing. So the wind definitely blew through the room that day.

So, knowing your audience is very important in determining the kind of writing you will engage in. Knowing what you are going to write about and who you are going to write to, you can write with style.