Factors Affecting Language and Narrative Styles in Prose Fiction: A Stylistic Perspective

Authors

  • Suhair Eyad Al-Alami

    Department of General Education, Skyline University College, Sharjah, The United Arab Emirates

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i2.8144
Received: 9 December 2024 | Revised: 12 January 2025 | Accepted: 15 January 2025 | Published Online: 5 February 2025

Abstract

Prose fiction texts embody a portrayal of feelings, thoughts, and dispositions translated into language worthy of exploration and appreciation. Through exploration and appreciation, the reader is exposed to an intellectual journey of knowledge, skill, and experience. Bearing this in mind, the current paper explores the main factors that may negatively impact the language and narrative styles of a prose fiction text. Two research questions are addressed accordingly: what major factors may negatively impact the language style of a prose fiction text, and what major factors may negatively impact the narrative style of a prose fiction text? Seeking logical answers to the two research inquiries, the author of this paper employed two study devices: a questionnaire comprising nine items and an interview with two questions. The study sample included two categories: avid readers who are members of the book club the author is a member of in Dubai, and university instructors teaching English in the United Arab Emirates. The subjects’ responses to the questionnaire’s items and interview’s questions highlighted several points in terms of the research questions the paper raises. Based on the subjects’ responses and statisticians suggestions, the paper concludes with several recommendations for scholars and researchers to consider regarding how to ensure effective writing of prose fiction texts. Additionally, the paper proposes a framework targeting language and narrative styles of prose fiction for quality outcome purposes.

Keywords:

Fiction Writing; Language Style; Narrative Style; Prose Fiction Text; Story Elements

References

[1] Reese, J.D., 2002. The world of literature. English Journal. 91(5), 63–69.

[2] Al-Alami, S., 2024. Using colloquial language in prose fiction texts: an exploratory study. Research Journal in Advanced Humanities. 5(1), 1–15.

[3] Collie, J., Slater, S., 1987. Short Stories. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.

[4] McRae, J., 2008. Creative Reading and Literature with a Small ‘I'. Anvil: Manil, Philippines.

[5] Grant, M., 2020. The Difference between Fiction and Nonfiction. Book Riot: New York, USA.

[6] Hawthorn, J., 1986. Studying the Novel: An Introduction. Edward Arnold: London, UK.

[7] De Carlo, M., 1999. Literary narrative, interculturality and the construction of identity. Language Learning. 9, 16–30.

[8] Short, M.H., 1996. Exploring the Language of Poems, Plays, and Prose. Macmillan: London, UK.

[9] Leech, G., Mick, S., 1981. Style in Fiction: A Linguistic Introduction to English Fiction Prose. Longman: London, UK.

[10] Shen, D., 2010. The stylistics of narrative fiction. In: McIntyre, D., Busse, B. (eds.). Language and Style. Palgrave Macmillan: London, UK. pp. 225–249.

[11] Simpson, P., 2004. Stylistics: A Resource Book for Students. Routledge: London, UK.

[12] Wood, J., 2018. How Fiction Works. Macmillan: London, UK.

[13] Mosely, W., 2019. Elements of Fiction. Grove Press: New York, USA.

[14] Chambers, M., 2024. The Elements of Fiction and Drama. Pressbooks: Montreal, Canada.

[15] Zancanella, D., 1988. On the nature of fiction writing. Language Arts. 65(3), 238–244.

[16] Al-Alami, S., 2019. Point of view in narrative. Theory and Practice in Language Studies. 9, 911–916.

[17] Simpson, P., 1993. Language, Ideology, and Point of View. Routledge: London, UK.

[18] Morini, M., 2011. Point of view in first-person narratives: a deictic analysis of david copperfield. Style. 45(4), 598–695.

[19] Al-Alami, S., 2013. Learn and Gain. Cambridge Scholars Publishing: Cambridge, UK.

[20] Boase-Beier, J., 2014. Stylistic Approaches to Translation. Routledge: London, UK.

[21] Hartley, D., 2016. The Politics of Style. BRILL: Leiden, The Netherlands.

[22] Iser, W., 1994. The Act of Reading: A Theory of Aesthetic Response. John Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, USA.

[23] Prose, F., 2006. Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them. HarperCollins Publishers: New York, USA.

[24] Giovanelli, M., Harrison, C., 2022. Stylistics and contemporary fiction. English Studies. 103(3), 381–385.

[25] Whiteley, S., Canning, P., 2017. Reader response research in stylistics. Language and Literature. 26(2), 71–87.

[26] Gibbons, A., Whiteley, C., 2018. Contemporary Stylistics: Language, Cognition, Interpretation. Edinburgh University Press: Edinburgh, UK.

[27] Alaghbary, G.S., 2022. Introducing Stylistic Analysis: Practicing the Basics. Edinburgh University Press: Edinburgh, UK.

Downloads

How to Cite

Al-Alami, S. E. (2025). Factors Affecting Language and Narrative Styles in Prose Fiction: A Stylistic Perspective. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(2), 399–408. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i2.8144