In my last article, I shared how struggling to get an A in high school creative writing led me to discover the diverse world of writing styles.
You can read the article here.
Today, I want to dive deeper into what makes each style unique, what their core purposes are, and where you should focus your effort to improve in each.
The Purpose of Each Writing Style
Creative Writing
Creative writing’s main goal is to entertain, inspire, and connect emotionally with readers.
It’s about expressing ideas, emotions, and stories in imaginative and original ways that provoke thought or feeling.
It can take many forms – from novels and poems to screenplays and personal essays – but at its heart, it’s about human experience and artistic expression.
Technical Writing
Technical writing serves a very different purpose: to inform, instruct, and facilitate understanding of complex information.
It translates specialized knowledge into clear, precise, and actionable content that helps people perform tasks, make decisions, or comply with regulations.
Whether it’s a user manual, a safety protocol, or a compliance report, technical writing aims to eliminate ambiguity and ensure accuracy.
Global English
Global English is a style designed for clarity and accessibility across cultures and languages.
Its purpose is to make English texts understandable to a worldwide audience by using simple, literal language, avoiding idioms and complex sentence structures.
It supports international communication in business, technology, and diplomacy by minimizing misunderstandings.
Hallmarks of Each Writing Style
What to Focus on to Improve Each Style
Improving Creative Writing
• Write regularly and experiment: The best way to grow is to practice often and try new styles or genres.
• Read widely: Absorb different voices and techniques to expand your creative toolkit.
• Seek feedback: Workshops or tutors can help you identify what resonates emotionally and what doesn’t.
• Focus on storytelling elements: Develop compelling characters, vivid settings, and emotional arcs.
Improving Technical Writing
• Understand your audience: Tailor your language and detail level to the reader’s expertise and needs.
• Be clear and concise: Use simple, direct language; avoid jargon unless necessary and explain it.
• Organize logically: Use headings, lists, and structured flow to guide readers through the content.
• Use active voice and short sentences: This improves readability and precision.
• Revise thoroughly: Edit for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
Improving Global English Writing
• Keep sentences short and simple: Aim for clarity with no more than 25 words per sentence.
• Avoid idioms and metaphors: Use literal language to prevent confusion across cultures.
• Standardize terminology: Use consistent vocabulary to maintain clarity.
• Test for understandability: Consider non-native speakers and revise based on feedback.
Final Thoughts
Each writing style requires different skills and priorities.
You don’t need to master them all at once – focus on the style that aligns with your current goals and audience.
Whether you’re crafting a heartfelt story, documenting a process, or communicating globally, understanding the purpose and hallmarks of your style will guide you toward clearer, more effective writing.
In my next article, I’ll share practical examples and exercises tailored to each style to help you sharpen your skills.
Meanwhile, which style do you find most challenging? Let me know in the comments!