Introduction to Stylistics Definitions Quiz

Stylistics is concerned with the production and reception of meaning.

Stylistics only focuses on the analysis of literary texts.

Stylistics is the study of language use in social contexts.

According to Chapman, stylistics is the study of different styles in language.

Stylistics is an interdisciplinary field that only draws from linguistics.

Practical stylistics is a means of linking two literary texts.

According to Carter, the detailed knowledge of language systems can lead to insightful awareness of the effects produced by literary texts.

A principled analysis of language can make our commentary on literary works more impressionistic and subjective.

Evidence for the text is often gathered casually and haphazardly.

Conclusions drawn from a linguistic analysis of a text can be attested and retrieved by another analyst working on the same text with the same method.

A linguistic approach to literary analysis can help to ensure that crucial textual features are overlooked.

Definition of Stylistics

Stylistics has multiple definitions, including:
- The application of concepts from linguistics and allied disciplines in the analysis and interpretation of samples of communication through language (Otanes)
- The linguistic study of different styles (Chapman, 1973:11)
- A linguistic approach to the study of literary text (Brumfit and Carter, 1997:93)
- The study of literary discourse from a linguistic orientation (Widdowson, 1975)
- Practical stylistics is the process of literary text analysis which starts from a basic assumption that the previous interpretative procedure used in the reading of literary text are linguistic procedures (Carter 1991:4)

Three Basic Principles of a Linguistic Approach to Literary Study and Criticism

The greater our detailed knowledge of the language system, the greater our capacity for insightful awareness of the effects produced by literary texts (Carter)
A principled analysis of language can be used to make our commentary on the effects produced in a literary work less impressionistic and subjective (Carter)
Analysis of one linguistic pattern requires reference to, checking against related patterns across the text, and evidence for the text will be provided in an overt and principled way (Carter)

Principles of Stylistics

Stylistics aims to establish principles capable of explaining the particular choices made by individuals and social groups in their use of language
It includes socialization, the production and reception of meaning, critical discourse analysis, and literary criticism

Test your knowledge on the definitions and concepts related to stylistics, including language choices, socialization, critical discourse analysis, and literary criticism. Explore common definitions and applications of stylistics in linguistics and allied disciplines.