When you think about writing, it’s not just about putting words on paper. Different purposes need different styles of writing. Over time, I’ve realised that knowing the right style can make your content more powerful and relatable. Whether you write for fun, school, work, or business, understanding writing styles is a game‑changer.
So, let’s break down the 10 main types of writing styles in simplest way as possible to understand styles of writing.
1. Narrative Writing
Narrative writing is basically storytelling. You are sharing a story – it could be real, imaginary, or a mix of both. It’s the style used in novels, short stories, or even personal blogs where you talk about experiences.
When you write in this style, you usually have:
- Characters – people or creatures in your story
- Settings – where the story is happening
- Plot – what happens first, what happens next, and so on
The tone is usually personal and descriptive because you want the reader to feel like they’re part of the story.
Example:
“Last summer, I travelled to Goa. The beaches, the food, and the vibe were unforgettable. One evening, I sat by the shore watching the sunset – it felt like time had stopped.”
Where It’s Used:
- Novels and short stories
- Autobiographies
- Personal blogs or journals
Key Features:
- Has a beginning, middle, and end (chronological flow)
- Uses descriptive language to paint a scene
- Focuses on characters, emotions, and events
2. Descriptive Writing
This style is about painting a picture with words. It’s not just about telling facts – it’s about making the reader feel as if they are seeing, smelling, or tasting what you describe.
Here, sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) are the most important.
Example:
“The warm aroma of freshly baked bread filled the tiny bakery. Golden crusts glistened under the light, and my mouth watered at the sight of them.”
See how just reading it makes you imagine the scene? That’s the power of descriptive writing.
Where It’s Used:
- Travel blogs
- Poetry
- Product descriptions
Key Features:
- Heavy use of adjectives and sensory words
- Creates detailed imagery
- Helps the reader visualise vividly
3. Expository Writing
This is the most straightforward style. It explains facts, ideas, or processes. There are no personal opinions, just clear information.
Think of textbooks, news articles, or “how-to” guides. The goal is to educate or inform, not to entertain or persuade.
Example:
“Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into energy.”
Where It’s Used:
- Textbooks
- Instruction manuals
- News reports
Key Features:
- Factual and unbiased
- Logical structure – often step-by-step or point-wise
- No personal feelings or opinions
4. Persuasive Writing
This style is all about convincing people. You combine facts, emotions, and logic to make your audience believe or take action.
You’ll find it in advertisements, political speeches, opinion blogs, and marketing copies. The tone is confident, appealing, and sometimes emotional.
Example:
“Switching to solar energy not only reduces your electricity bill but also helps the environment. It’s a smart choice for every household.”
Here, there’s a mix of benefits, emotional appeal (helping the environment), and a call to action.
Where It’s Used:
- Advertisements
- Opinion pieces
- Marketing copies
Key Features:
- Strong opinions or recommendations
- Uses emotions + facts together
- Includes calls to action
5. Creative Writing
Creative writing is where you can go all out with your imagination. There are no fixed rules – you can create worlds, characters, and stories just the way you want.
It’s not just limited to stories. Creative writing includes poems, scripts, fictional blogs, or even social media captions that are artistic.
Example:
“The stars whispered secrets to the moon, while the night sky wrapped itself around the world like a velvet cloak.”
It’s not factual it’s artistic and imaginative.
Where It’s Used:
- Poems
- Screenplays
- Short stories
Key Features:
- Focus on originality and creativity
- Often emotional or imaginative
- No strict structure you can bend the rules of language
6. Technical Writing
This writing style is used when you need to explain something complicated in a clear and step‑by‑step way. It’s very common in fields like IT, engineering, science, or any industry where people need instructions or documentation.
The main goal is clarity and accuracy – no fancy language, no emotional tone. Everything is straightforward so that even a beginner can follow it.
Example:
“To reset the device, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the light blinks.”
This sentence is short, precise, and easy to understand. That’s exactly how technical writing works.
Where It’s Used:
- Software documentation
- Instruction manuals
- Reports in IT, engineering, healthcare, etc.
Key Features:
- Clear, simple instructions
- Structured formatting (headings, bullet points, steps)
- Focus on accuracy rather than creativity
7. Academic Writing
If you’ve ever written an essay, research paper, or thesis, you’ve already done academic writing. It’s formal, evidence‑based, and very structured.
You can’t just write your opinion – you have to back up your points with research, facts, and references. It usually has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Example:
“The study highlights the impact of social media on consumer buying behaviour, indicating a strong correlation between influencer marketing and sales growth.”
See how it sounds formal and research‑oriented?
Where It’s Used:
- Essays
- Research papers
- Dissertations
Key Features:
- Formal tone and vocabulary
- Includes citations and references
- Analytical and evidence‑based
8. Business Writing
Business writing is all about clear and professional communication. Whether it’s an email to your boss, a client proposal, or a report, the goal is to get the message across quickly and politely.
It’s not too casual, but not overly formal either. It stays to the point, without unnecessary words.
Example:
“Hi team, Please find attached the sales report for Q2. Let me know if you have any questions.”
It’s short, polite, and action‑oriented – exactly what business writing should be.
Where It’s Used:
- Business emails
- Memos and proposals
- Reports and presentations
Key Features:
- Professional tone
- Concise and to the point
- Has a clear purpose or call to action
9. Journalistic Writing
This is the style you see in newspapers, news websites, and magazines. It tells readers what happened, where, when, why, and how usually as quickly and clearly as possible.
Journalistic writing follows the inverted pyramid style – the most important information comes first, followed by details.
Example:
“The city council approved the new metro project yesterday, aiming to reduce traffic congestion by 2028.”
It gives all the key details in one line – Who (city council), What (approved metro project), When (yesterday), Why (to reduce traffic congestion).
Where It’s Used:
- News articles
- Magazines
- Press releases
Key Features:
- Factual and concise
- Answers 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) upfront
- Usually has a neutral tone (except opinion pieces)
10. Copywriting
Copywriting is the art of writing words that sell. Whether it’s an ad, a social media caption, or a landing page, copywriting uses persuasion, catchy language, and emotional appeal to make people take action.
Unlike academic or technical writing, copywriting is fun, short, and impactful.
Example:
“Craving a cheesy, hot pizza? Order now and get it delivered in 30 minutes – piping hot and delicious!”
It grabs attention, creates desire, and gives a clear call to action (Order now).
Where It’s Used:
- Advertisements
- Social media ads
- Landing pages
Key Features:
- Persuasive and catchy
- Short sentences, powerful words
- Encourages readers to act immediately
Conclusion
Different writing styles have different purposes. As a writer, I’ve learnt that mixing styles based on context works wonders. For instance, a blog can have a bit of narrative, descriptive, and persuasive style together.
So, next time you write, ask yourself What’s my goal? Who’s my audience? Once you know that, picking the right style becomes much easier.
Mastering these 10 styles can make you a versatile writer whether you’re crafting stories, writing for work, or building a brand.
FAQs
1. What are the 7 types of writing styles?
The 7 common types of writing styles are:
- Narrative Writing – storytelling style used in novels and personal blogs.
- Descriptive Writing – uses rich details to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.
- Expository Writing – explains facts and information in a clear way.
- Persuasive Writing – convinces readers to agree or take action.
- Creative Writing – focuses on imagination, like poems or stories.
- Technical Writing – gives instructions or explains complex topics simply.
- Business Writing – professional communication like emails, reports, and proposals.
2. What are the types of writing 10?
If you count all major writing styles, there are 10 types of writing:
- Narrative Writing
- Descriptive Writing
- Expository Writing
- Persuasive Writing
- Creative Writing
- Technical Writing
- Academic Writing
- Business Writing
- Journalistic Writing
- Copywriting
3. What are the different types of styles in writer class 10?
In Class 10, students are usually taught these writing styles:
- Narrative Writing – writing a story or personal experience.
- Descriptive Writing – describing a scene, place, or event.
- Expository Writing – essays, factual reports, or information pieces.
- Persuasive Writing – writing arguments or opinion paragraphs.
- Creative Writing – poems, short stories, or dialogues.
These help students learn both academic and creative skills.
4. What are the 5 types of writing?
The 5 main types of writing are:
- Narrative Writing
- Descriptive Writing
- Expository Writing
- Persuasive Writing
- Creative Writing
Some people include technical or business writing, but the basic 5 remain the same.
