qualities of style

A large body of terms was developed to describe the general characteristics or qualities of style. Often, these are terms describing the virtues or vices of style, or more abstract aspects that cannot be pinpointed the way a figure of speech can be identified. In some cases these terms overlap with figures of speech or with general rhetorical strategies. Descriptive Terminology of Style acre acutus aequabile This denotes a flexible, subtle and succinct style. At times bare, it most often uses figures of speech, but sparingly. Its proper qualities are said to be fullness and ease. affectus ambitio (cacozelia) aspera brevitas celeriter claritas coloratum (pingue, pichiologia) copia cultus dignitas energia evidentia (enargia) floridum foedus gravitas humilia incitatio languida (paresin) licentia magna molle negligentia numerositas obscuritas perspicuitas plenitudo proprietas pulchritudo pura puritas rotunditas securitas sicca simplicitas sonus splendor suavitas tediosum (nulla varietas, homologia) tenuitas trepidatio tumiditas (bomboliogia) urbanitas vacui vehementia velocitas venustas veritas volubilitas See Also Style Stylistic Virtues Stylistic Vices