THE IMPORTANCE OF STYLISTIC CONSISTENCY

Kelly Ryan Harriger

Few things can destroy the flow of your writing as quickly and quietly as a lack of stylistic consistency. It’s often the unnoticed elements that bring down a piece of writing, and inconsistency is the silent killer of good prose. Stylistic consistency enhances your clarity, builds credibility, improves readability, and ensures a coherent and professional presentation.

What exactly is stylistic consistency? It’s several things.

1. CLEAR COMMUNICATION: This means a consistent use of correct grammar, careful word choices, and uniform formatting. Information architecture, a phrase used to describe how your words are placed on your page, can also influence your reader. With the exception of fiction, where you may have long paragraphs describing one thing, it’s best to avoid long paragraphs, and opt instead for shorter, 3- or 4-sentence paragraphs, as it’s proven that the shorter the paragraph, the easier the comprehension for the reader. Write smart and clearly, with good word choices, and leave intervals for the reader to pause and reflect.

2. IMPROVING FLOW: A consistent style creates a smooth and engaging reader experience. Sudden shifts in tone, format, or storyline can throw off a reader. Introducing an incongruous word or phrase into a string of complimentary words or phrases will confuse a reader. When writing a sequence of descriptors, make certain they all share a similar meaning and are moving you toward a goal, and that they also paint a consistent picture of what you’re describing. Throwing in a wrong word can change the meaning of a phrase, and derail a smoothly flowing sentence.

3. REDUCING DISTRACTIONS: A common problem with some writers is their inconsistent use of style elements such as italics, ellipses, em-dashes and parentheses, and using them interchangeably through a piece of writing. Inconsistent use, or overuse, of certain stylistic elements can be a huge distraction when attempting to write clean, clear prose. Use them only when needed, and understand that all stylistic elements have a unique purpose. Unless you’re writing a legal brief—where every word, element and phrase carries a very specific meaning—use style elements sparingly.

4. CONSISTENCY REINFORCES AUTHORITY: One thing you’ll learn while developing your stylistic consistency is that it will reinforce your authority on a subject. When your writing becomes crisp, clear and always to-the-point with no distractions, it will carry more weight, which in turn builds trust between the reader and the writer.

5. AVOID STYLISTIC ELEMENTS FOR THEIR OWN SAKE: As noted, stylistic elements have distinct purpose. Don’t use them to dress up lackluster prose, as it only creates more of a distraction. Having a problem writing something? First, attempt to write about it in the simplest of terms, a bare-bones description or phrase, devoid of stylistic devices. Once you identify the purpose of a passage, sentence or phrase, it’ll be easier to add more and stay consistent to its purpose. Only use a stylistic element if the sentence or passage calls for it.

These five examples will get you started on writing clear, consistent prose that gets to the point quickly, without having to wade through unnecessary elements. The best way to write your first drafts is to write in a simple, straightforward manner while maintaining your unique voice and perspective. Nearly all good writing is made better in a rewrite, when you can focus more on stylistic elements. First, get your thoughts down on paper (or computer screen), and then get to work polishing them up in a style that allows a reader to move easily through your sentences and paragraphs, be they poetry, fiction or non-fiction. Consistency within your unique style is the key to comprehension and coherence.