Stylistics is the study of devices in language that are considered to produce expressive or literary style. This discipline of Linguistics is closely related to Literary Criticism but encompasses liturgical, contemporary, modern and even pop culture domain of literature and goes beyond classical, formal and rhetorical literatures (high literatures).
While literary criticism focuses on style as the proper adornment of thought, Stylistics approaches literature with formal linguistic analysis to evaluate printed texts, explaining the particular choices made by individuals and social groups in their use of language.
Generally, Stylistics also discusses which type of language is appropriate or inappropriate base on the various circumstantial elements like time, purpose or intention, style, recipient, etc. – in modern times, this addresses what is considered to be 'politically correct' in writing.
Since language is distinctive to its user, Stylistics discusses form and meaning in reference to its ‘register’ (style) particular to a certain variety of language, thus, providing an insight to the process within the language used.
Source:
Stylistics; en.wikipedia.org; 2010
Stylistics, Linguistics; britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/570324/stylistics; 2010
Dela Cruz, Edna M.; Advanced Speech Communications
Rex Bookstore, Inc., 2010
International Conference on Language Education
http://www.pixel-online.org
