WHAT IS STYLE?
Understanding Norm, Individual Style, and Functional Style
What is Style?
• Style refers to the distinctive manner of
expression in language, writing, speech, or art.
• In language and discourse, style encompasses
the choices a person makes in communicating,
including vocabulary, sentence structure, tone,
and rhetorical devices.
Types of Style:
Norm: The general rules or standards of
language or behavior.
Individual Style: The personal, unique way an
individual expresses themselves.
Functional Style: The style used for specific
purposes or contexts, such as scientific writing,
formal speech, or everyday conversation.
Norm
• A Norm is the set of accepted
conventions, rules, or standards that are
considered proper in a particular culture,
society, or context.
Norms regulate language use and
communication.
Language norms provide guidelines for
grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and tone.
Key Characteristics:
oBased on tradition and
commonly accepted practices.
oHelps maintain mutual
understanding and coherence
in communication.
Example: Formal rules for
academic writing (e.g.,
avoiding slang, using formal
structures) or standard
grammar.
Example sentence in "norm"
style: “The report was
submitted before the
deadline.”
Individual Style
• Individual Style is the unique manner
in which a person expresses
themselves.
Influenced by personality, education,
experiences, and preferences.
Reflects an individual’s voice, tone,
and approach to communication.
Key Characteristics:
• More subjective and flexible than
norms.
• Includes factors like tone, sentence
structure, word choice, and rhythm.
• Example: A writer or speaker's choice
to use humor, metaphor, or
emotional appeal.
Example 1: A conversational style – "Hey,
I totally understand. No worries, we got
this!“
Example 2: A formal style – "I fully
comprehend the situation, and I assure
you that we shall resolve this issue
promptly."
Functional Style
• Functional Style refers to the variation in
language use depending on the purpose or
function of the communication.
• This style adapts to the context (e.g., a
scientific paper, a legal document, a
marketing ad).
• Functional style is highly context-driven, and
it focuses on achieving specific objectives.
Key Characteristics:
• Varies depending on the situation, audience, and
medium.
Example contexts:
• Academic Style: Objective, impersonal, formal
language.
• Persuasive Style: Rhetorical devices, emotional
appeal.
• Conversational Style: Informal, direct language.
Examples of Different Functional
Styles:
• Legal writing: "The aforementioned terms
shall be binding and enforceable according
to the stipulated agreement."
• Advertising: "Get your dream home today
—limited offer!"
• Scientific style: "The results indicate a
direct correlation between X and Y under
controlled conditions."
Comparing Norm, Individual Style,
and Functional Style
Summary Comparison:
• Norm: Standardized, rule-based, impersonal; maintains
communication consistency.
• Individual Style: Personal, expressive, creative; reveals
the communicator’s personality.
• Functional Style: Contextual, goal-oriented, adaptive;
tailored to achieve specific objectives.
Table of Comparison:
Individual Functional
Aspect Norm
Style Style
Clarity and Personal Context-driven
Purpose
understanding expression communication
Depends on
Variable context
Tone Neutral, formal (humorous, (scientific,
serious, etc.) persuasive,
etc.)
Adaptable,
Flexibility Rigid Highly flexible context-
Real-World Examples
• Example 1: Norm in Media
News articles often adhere to a neutral, formal style to
inform readers.
• Example: "The government has announced new
measures to combat the rising costs of living."
Real-World Examples
• Example 2: Individual Style in Literature
The distinct voice of an author, such as the personal tone
of Mark Twain’s writing in The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn.
• Example: "You don’t know about me without you have
read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom
Sawyer; but that ain’t no matter."
Real-World Examples
• Example 3: Functional Style in Business Communication
Emails written for business purposes, using a formal and
clear functional style.
• Example: "Please find attached the report. Let me know
if you need further clarification."
Key points:
o Norm helps maintain standardized communication
and ensures mutual understanding.
o Individual Style provides a personal touch and
allows for creativity and expression.
o Functional Style adapts to different contexts to
fulfill specific communicative purposes.
Any questions or further
thoughts on the types
of style in language?