Literary Style

Literary Style

See also authors; language style; literature.
Acmeismthe work and theories of the Acmeists, an anti-symbolist movement of early twentieth-century Russian poets, including Mandelstam and Akhmatova, who strove for lucidity of style, definiteness, and texture in their poetry. — acmeist, n., adj..Byronismthe characteristics of the poetry and writings of George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824).centonismthe practice, especially in verse, of writing by arranging quotations from other authors. Also centonization. — cento, n. — centonical, adj.Ciceronianismthe imitation of Cicero’s literary and oratorical style. — Ciceronist, n. — Ciceronian, adj.classicalism1. an imitation of Greek or Roman literature.
2. classicism. — classicalize, v. — classicalist, n.classicisma literary style characterized by formal adherence to traditions of structure, content, and genre. — classicist, n. — classicize, v.conceptismRare. the use of a particular form of literary conceit in Spanish prose.concinnityharmony or fitness, especially of literary style. — concinnous, adj.constructivismthe theories, attitudes, and techniques of a group of Soviet writers of the 1920s who attempted to reconcile ideological beliefs with technical achievement, especially in stage design, where the effects produced were geometrical and nonrepresentational. — constructivist, n., adj.dialogism, dialoguismthe representation of an author’s thoughts through his use of a dialogue between two or more of his characters. — dialogist, n. — dialogic, adj.eulogisman expression of praise or blessing as used in a eulogy. — eulogization, n. — eulogistic, adj.Euphuism1. an elaborate prose style invented by John Lyly c. 1580, characterized by bountiful figures of speech, Latinisms, extended similes, frequent antitheses, and highly involved syntax.
2. any similar ornate style of writing or speaking. Cf. Gongorism. — euphuist, n. — euphuistic, adj.floriditya florid style; flowery and highly ornamented writing. See also complexion. — florid, adj.genteelisma polished style and graceful form in literary works.Gongorisma Spanish verse style invented by the 17th-century poet Luis de Góngora y Argote, characterized by a studied obscurity, an emphasis on Latin terms and syntax, allusions to classical myths, and lavish use of metaphors, hyperbole, paradoxes, neologisms, and antitheses. Also called cultismo, culteranismo. Cf. Euphuism. — Gongoristic, Gongoresque, adj.gothicisma style in fictional literature characterized by gloomy settings, violent or grotesque action, and a mood of decay, degeneration, and decadence. — gothicist, n. — gothic, adj.Hermeticism1. the occult concepts, ideas, or philosophy set forth in the writings of the hermeticists of the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance.
2. adherence to, belief in, or propagation of these concepts and ideas.
3. a symbolic and arcane style similar to that of the hermeticists, especially in the poetry of certain French symbolist poets. — hermeticist, hermetist, n. — hermetic, hermetical, adj.Ibsenisma dramatic invention characteristic of Henrik Ibsen, used in attacking conventional hypocrisies.Johnsonesethe literary style of Samuel Johnson or a style similar to or in emulation of his, especially one that is turgid and orotund.juvenilia1. the literary compositions produced in an author’s youth.
2. literary productions intended for the young.Kiplingism1. a style resembling or having the features of the literary style of Rudyard Kipling.
2. an attitude of superiority over and sympathy for nonwhite peoples, as found in “Gunga Din.” — Kiplingesque, adj.Marinisma 17th-century Italian literary style marked by forced antitheses and elaborate metaphors. — Marinist, n.Marlowismthe style and topics characteristic of Christopher Marlowe. — Marlovian, Marlowish, Marlowesque, adj.Ossianismwriting in the style of Ossian and particularly writing in the epic or legendary vein which is of a recent period but which claims to belong to antiquity. [After Ossian or Oisin, an apocryphal Gaelic poet of the third century, whose supposed style was imitated in works created by James Macpherson (1736-1796).] — Ossianic, adj.pastoralisma writing style that focuses on the life of shepherds or herdsman. — pastoralist, n.Petrarchisma style of writing that is modeled after that of Petrarch. — Petrarchist, n. — Petrarchan, adj.poetasterismthe writing of a poetaster, an inferior and worthless poetry.prosaicisma phrase written in the style of prose. Also prosaism. — prosaist, n. — prosaic, prosaical, adj.quattrocentismthe art and literature of 15th-century Italy. — quattrocentist, n. adj.Ronsardismthe composition of verse after the manner of French poet Pierre de Ronsard (1524-1585), characterized by neologisms and dialectal forms.sensationalism1. the use of subject matter, language, or style designed to amaze or thrill. See also media; philosophy,
2. such subject matter, language, or style itself. — sensationalist, n. — sensationalistic, adj.sentimentalisman excessive indulgence in sentiment or emotionalism, predominance of feeling over reason and intellect, as the death scene of Little Nell in Dickens’s Old Curiosity Shop. — sentimentalist, n.Shakespearianismthe condition of having the qualities of or relating to the literary works of William Shakespeare. — Shakespearian, n., adj.Shavianisma comment, statement, etc., typical or reminiscent of or a quotation from the works of George Bernard Shaw. — Shavian, adj.stylisticsthe study of particular styles, as in literature, art, etc.Tolstoyismdoctrines espoused in the works of Tolstoy, Russian novelist and social critic. — Tolstoyist, n.Voltairianism, Voltairismthe doctrines of Voltaire, marked mainly by religious skepticism, frequently seen in his literary works, such as Candide. — Voltairian, n., adj.Zolaism1. an overemphasis on the coarser sides of life.
2. the objective types of naturalism and determinism underlying Zola’s novelistic methods. — Zolaist, n.