After identity comes intention: knowing what you want to say. Vidal suggests that style is inseparable from message; without a point of view, stylistic flourishes become noise. This is why some writing feels “stylish” yet empty—because it prioritizes effect over meaning—whereas other work feels sharp even when plain, because it knows exactly what it is trying to do.
In practice, intention functions like a compass. Whether the medium is an essay, a painting, or a conversation, clarity about purpose shapes every decision: what to emphasize, what to omit, when to be blunt, and when to be lyrical. As a result, “style” becomes the disciplined art of saying one thing well rather than many things vaguely. [...]
