In writing:
* Word choice (diction): Using formal or informal language, specific vocabulary, slang, or figurative language.
* Sentence structure: Varying sentence length, using complex or simple sentences, employing rhetorical devices like parallelism or anaphora.
* Point of view: Choosing a first, second, or third-person perspective, or even a shifting perspective.
* Tone: Creating a mood or atmosphere through the use of humor, seriousness, sarcasm, irony, etc.
* Imagery: Using vivid descriptions and sensory details to create a picture in the reader's mind.
* Figurative language: Utilizing metaphors, similes, personification, and other literary devices to create meaning beyond the literal.
* Organization: Choosing a particular structure for the text, such as chronological order, cause and effect, or problem-solution.
In visual arts:
* Color: Using specific colors to evoke emotions, create contrast, or highlight certain elements.
* Composition: Arranging elements within a frame to create balance, tension, or a sense of movement.
* Line: Using lines to create shapes, textures, or to guide the viewer's eye.
* Form: Choosing three-dimensional or two-dimensional forms to depict objects or ideas.
* Texture: Utilizing smooth, rough, or textured surfaces to create a tactile experience.
* Light and shadow: Employing light and shadow to create depth, contrast, and mood.
In music:
* Melody: Choosing specific pitches and rhythms to create a memorable and impactful tune.
* Harmony: Utilizing chords to create a sense of consonance or dissonance.
* Rhythm: Selecting a tempo and a rhythmic pattern to evoke a particular feeling.
* Instrumentation: Using different instruments to create specific sounds and textures.
* Structure: Choosing a form for the music, such as sonata form, rondo form, or theme and variations.
Ultimately, stylistic choices are the building blocks that shape a work of art. They are the author's, artist's, or composer's voice, and their unique choices reveal their individual perspective and artistic intent.