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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/29902
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/29902
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I think it is unwise to rely on style changes to delineate a character. First, it is far from certain that the reader will notice the difference, or interpret it in the way you intend. Don't rely on subtle effects to get across key points of your story. It is hard to do well and probably will go over most reader's heads. By all means use style cues to _reinforce_ the character portrait that you create by other methods, but don't rely on it.

You should also consider that while you start from knowing who the character is and look for ways to express that, the reader starts from not knowing who they are and trying to figure it out from the clues available. What seems to you to suggest the character you are thinking of may suggest a very different character to the reader. For instance, short clipped sentences might suggest a military background or lack of intelligence.

Characters are defined by their values and their actions and ultimately is it what you show or tell about their values and their actions that will shape the reader's view of them. Better to focus on portraying those things using conventional writing techniques than to try to encode information in your style choices.

Original score: 1