A prose fiction text is a made-up narrative which comprises the elements of plot, theme, setting, point of view, tone, and characters (Wood, 2018; Al-Alami, 2021). An art of creative expression, a prose fiction text seeks to impress the reader via means of language style amongst other devices. This article aims to highlight several points which pertain to language style in prose fiction texts.

To start with, effective language style is a manifestation of how authors manipulate language in stretches of discourse both skillfully and impressively. The language style of a prose fiction text embodies the author’s use of diction, structure, rhythm, and figures of speech amongst other tools (Al-Alami, 2024). Diction refers to the selection and use of words such as connotations and denotations. Diction entails selecting and using frequent or infrequent terms, modern or archaic words, advanced or simple vocabulary, and concrete or abstract expressions to serve a certain purpose. Depending on the context, diction yields discourse the language style of which can be formal or informal, and simple or advanced.

Text structure, on the other hand, covers text construction and sentence pattern. As in diction, the structure the writer uses can be simple or complex and formal or informal. It is worth noting that the selection of words and structures must consider the audience for whom the text is written. A word used impressively in a children’s story, for instance, may not have the same impact if used in an adult’s story

Another tool which an author of prose fiction texts employs for aesthetic appreciation purposes is rhythm. Rhythm is the pattern of movement and form of flow the author adopts whilst writing the text including repetition, rhyme, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and parallel structures amongst other components. If utilized efficiently, rhythm can be impressive and expressive.

Figures of speech can also be utilized in prose fiction texts to ensure eloquent language style. Including figures of speech in a prose fiction text refers to using words in ways which deviate from their literal interpretation. Some common types of figures of speech are simile, metaphor, idiom, personification, oxymoron, and hyperbole.

To critically examine the language style of a prose fiction text, it would be beneficial to raise several questions regarding both the language and content of the text. Below are some frequently asked questions which skilled readers usually address whilst reading a prose fiction text (Al-Alami, 2020).

-Language Style: How effective is the language style?
-Repetition: Is anything repeated many times? What is the effect of that?
-Literal vs. Metaphorical: What literal details are given? Are there any comparisons or associations? What literary devices are used?
-Silence: What relevant information is not given?
-Setting: What use (if any) is made of the physical setting?
-Narrator: What kind of narrator is used? Is the narrator a character in the story? Can the narrator get into anyone else’s thoughts?
-Perspective: Through whose eyes is the story told?
-Characterization: How are major and minor characters depicted?
-Speech/Thoughts: To render a character’s words, does the narrator use direct speech, indirect speech, or other methods?

In conclusion, a good prose fiction text is a coherent narrative portrayed through appropriate language style. Language style is not just a sense; it is a unique touch and a thumb print conveyed in a wide range of linguistic forms (Baker, 2018; Al-Alami, 2023). How the author constructs the text translating thoughts and feelings into words, phrases, and sentences delineates the author’s language style. Undoubtedly, effective language style requires an artistic use of language which is proper in function, accurate in usage, and powerful in impact.

References:

• Al-Alami, S. (2020). A Treasure of Short Stories for English Language Learners. United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Al-Alami, S. (2021). Fiction from a Critical Perspective. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 11(9), 990-997.
• Al-Alami, S. (2023). Translation of Prose Fiction Texts: An Exploratory Study. International Journal of English Language and Literature Studies, 12(2), 147-158.
• Al-Alami, S. (2024). Using Colloquial Language in Prose Fiction Texts: An Exploratory Study. Research Journal in Advanced Humanities, 5(1), 1-15.
• Baker, M. (2018). In other words (3rd edition). United Kingdom: Routledge.
• Wood, J. (2018). How Fiction Works. United States: Macmillan.