We sometimes describe a writing style as masculine or feminine, or at the very least, we derive such an impression from the text. In my personal view, writing style is defined by the very way sentences connect. To put it simply, it is about whether the connections between individual elements in a text are linear or curvilinear.
If a style is linear, it is called masculine; if curvilinear, feminine. This might sound somewhat simplistic, and one might ask what linear or curvilinear connections actually entail. When a writing style is linear, the sentences advance clearly in a single direction. However, labeling this as “masculine” may carry certain biases.
When we sense a curvilinear style, the connections between elements of the writing progress with a certain degree of “blank space” or “margin,” exhibiting an organic interconnectedness. Why this gives a feminine impression is not entirely clear, but perhaps it is because the margins in these connections allow for a certain kind of empathy or acceptance.
Many published writings give the impression of being masculine. If a style is clear and direct, it is easier for publishers to narrow down the target audience and execute marketing strategies. While I believe feminine writing styles are also being published, they do not remain in my memory vividly enough to cite specific examples. However, this may simply be due to the limits of my own reading experience.
