Distinguishing Voice from Style

Anyone who has read writing advice for any length of time has likely encountered the terms voice and style. These terms are frequently grouped together but they represent different concepts and learning their differences will enhance your writing confidence.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Is Voice?

Your voice serves as the distinct personality that becomes evident through your writing. Your writing voice serves as your unique fingerprint which determines how you sound when you write anything.

It’s shaped by:

• Your worldview

  
  

• Your tone (funny, serious, sarcastic, warm)

  
  

• Your rhythm and word choices

  
  

• Your quirks and habits as a writer

The unique quality that identifies you in your writing remains present even when someone tries to replicate your words.

Example:

A single scene such as a rainy café can be portrayed by two writers in different ways where one creates a dreamy poetic atmosphere and the other delivers a dry cynical depiction. That’s voice.

What Is Style?

Your writing style encompasses the technical aspects of your composition. Your style includes how you manage structure together with grammar usage and sentence length along with formatting. The way you write can be adjusted and controlled because style remains more flexible than voice.

It’s shaped by:

• Word choice (formal vs. casual)

  
  

• The style of sentences can range from brief and direct to detailed and elaborate.

  
  

• Use of metaphors, dialogue, imagery

  
  

• Grammar, punctuation, formatting

Your writing style requires adjustments according to your audience or project specifics but your voice remains mostly unchanged.

Example:

Your email newsletter features an informal and conversational tone. The freelance article you write for a client might adopt a polished journalistic style while maintaining your recognizable voice.

Think of it this way:

Voice = your personality

Style = your wardrobe

Your unique personality shows in your voice whether you wear jeans or a formal suit. Your wardrobe style varies depending on your destination and the people you interact with.

Why Does It Matter?

• Understanding the difference helps you:

  
  

• Stay consistent in your branding

  
  

• Experiment without losing your authenticity

  
  

• Improve your writing faster

  
  

• Select choices purposefully to meet your audience's needs and fulfill your objectives.

Final Thought

You already have a voice. Your voice emerges through your verbal communication, your thought process and your spontaneous self-expression. Your challenge is to cultivate trust in your voice and then identify the style that best showcases it.

Need assistance to develop your personal voice or create your unique style? Try the this worksheet and let me know what you think.