Effective style is an essential feature of good and great literature. However, noble and sublime the thoughts and emotions of the author may be, he will not be able to produce great literature if his style of writing is weak or inartistic. Pater says that there are three factors which determine the style of an author. They are: Diction, Design and Personality.
By diction Pater means vocabulary and choice of fitting words. The author must be able to apply 'a vocabulary faithful to the colouring of his own spirit'. He must be able to express his thoughts and sentiments through correct, precise and accurate words befitting the context of the mental situation. He should not use obsolete and worn-out words. At the same time he should be economical in the use of words. He should be cautions against using a single superfluous or out-of-the context word. He should also avoid using uncommon, high-sounding and difficult words.
Then comes the design of the whole work and its chapters. He should conceive of the total design and structure of the work before starting it. He should have an architectural design before his mental eye. He should "foresee the end in the beginning and never lose sight of it, and in every part remain conscious of all the rest, till the last sentence occurs, with undiminished vigour unfold and justify the first".