What is style?

When referencing writing, style can mean various things. To me, however, one particular thing comes to mind. I have had numerous professors tell me that I write much like I speak. I am not sure if this is good or bad, but it is. It is my style. Styles can change. I can turn my "professor/university administrator" style on when needed, or off as the case may be.

I think each person's writing style is unique. This is not to say that there aren't conventions to what would be considered an appropriate style for certain situations. I mean just think, would you write and send the same exact e-mail to your boss/supervisor "criticizing" a decision that was made as opposed to your best friend what you are "venting" about the same situation? I think, and would hope, not. I mean granted it doesn't take much to switch styles, just a few flipped words or some less anger in that case, but nonetheless, a skill that is very much so needed.

This one situation, that would be addressed differently when writing to a different audience, is something that can-even within the same audience-vary incredibly. That varying part is the style.

Perhaps, like many great things in life, style is easier defined, not by what it is, but by what it is NOT.

• Style is not formatting.
  
• Style is not grammar.
  
• Style is not spelling or function.
  
• Style is not punctuation.
  

Style is the way you put words together. I feel like poetry is a good example of this. There are many poets who wrote about love, but it is vary apparent that an Emily Dickinson poem and a Robert Browning poem are not nearly the same.

Now, bear in mind as you ponder the above thoughts, that this is all said (or typed, rather) without looking at the required reading once, so I could be all wrong about this whole style thing.

But those are just my thoughts...