Another important way to learn about a discipline is to identify its stylistic features. Study some pieces of writing in the field with the following in mind:
Genres and media. What kinds of texts do people in the discipline typically create? (See 19g.) Are typical texts in print or digital formats (or both)?
Design and visuals. Do writers typically use elements such as graphs, tables, maps, or photographs? How are visuals integrated into the text? How are they labeled? What role, if any, do headings and other formatting elements play in the writing? (See Chapter 16.)
Overalltone. How would you describe the tone of the writing? (See 4i.)
Stance. To what extent do writers in the field strive for distance and objectivity? What strategies help them to achieve this stance? (See 2d.)
Titles. Are titles generally descriptive (“Findings from a Double-Blind Study of the Effect of Antioxidants”), persuasive (“Antioxidants Proven Effective”), or something else? How do each of the titles shape your expectations?
Sentence length. Are sentences long and complex? Simple and direct?
Voice. Are verbs generally active or passive? Why? (See 39g.)
Person. Do writers use the first-person I or third-person terms such as the investigator? What is the effect of this choice? (See Talking the Talk.)
Documentation style. Do writers use MLA (32), APA (33), Chicago (34), or CSE (35) style? Are sources cited in some other way?