We’re excited to share how Stylefit can support writers in refining their voice, style, and clarity—using real student work. With thanks to Ekam Kaur Minhas for permission, we’ll be using excerpts from her story Villain or Not, a historical fiction piece based on the final days of Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution.
Told from Marie Antoinette’s perspective, the story explores her emotional journey from imprisonment to execution. Let’s explore how Stylefit was used to guide revisions and strengthen this already powerful piece of writing.
Opening Strong: Reflective and Engaging
The story opens with Marie Antoinette reflecting on the reason for her imminent execution.
Stylefit identified this paragraph as reflective—thanks to the well-managed use of adverbs. It also achieved something essential: it made the reader ask two questions right away:
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What is happening?
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Do I want to keep reading?
The answer to the second question is yes.
What Happens When a Paragraph Falls Outside the Grid?
The next paragraph lands outside the Stylefit grid. This is not a problem—it’s simply a cue to take a closer look.
Here, the narrator describes her arrival at Versailles. The paragraph lacked context and skimmed over events too quickly. It overused certain parts of speech, particularly verbs, without enough supporting description.
Stylefit suggested more adjectives were needed to enrich the scene. Here’s the revised version:
I remember when I came here to France. At a mere 14 years old, my shame was great as everyone’s critical eyes were on me. “Let’s see how long she lasts, they said with disdain. But I was doing this for Austria. After all, Mother said ‘Friendship between Austria and France is important and must be cemented by marriage.’”
This rewrite reduces vague verbal phrases like “I knew what I was doing” and “had said,” and adds adjectives like “great” and “critical.” The result is tighter, more vivid writing.
The Pitfalls of Vague Adjectives
While adjectives can add depth, they can also fall short if not used precisely. In one paragraph, adjectives like intricate, alluring, and beautiful didn’t offer enough visual detail.
For example:
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“The wallpaper is described as having intricate and alluring designs.”
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“She describes her husband as not having a beautiful way with words.”
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“She describes him as quiet and shy.”
Stylefit flagged these as too vague—these words don’t show us anything concrete. This is a common trap: adjectives might sound descriptive, but without context, they don’t help the reader visualise the scene.
Here’s how we revised:
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“Alluring wallpaper” became “the elaborate wallpaper featured gold and silver floral designs.”
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“A beautiful way with words” became “a beautiful way with words that showed how learned he was.”
These edits create a clearer image for the reader.
An Example of Strong Descriptive Writing
Let’s look at a paragraph where description was used effectively after revision:
On 19th April 1770, I married my husband, Louis XVI. The Dauphin, wore gold and diamonds. He took my hand as we walked through the opulent palace gates and along the path lined with topiary hedges. As we entered the palace the central doors opened to diamond chandeliers. My husband gifted me a mahogany cabinet with fluted legs inside of which was so much jewellery that I could hardly believe my eyes. I was without speech.
However, I soon learnt that all the jewels in the world cannot make up for living with someone who has nothing to say except ‘yes’ whenever I speak. He was an incredibly boring man. Talking to him required a huge effort and there were days when I despaired.
Here, the concrete imagery (topiary hedges, mahogany cabinet, diamond chandeliers) and emotional tone combine beautifully. This is writing that lands firmly within Stylefit’s descriptive and emotive zones.
Evoking Emotion and Tension
Further into the story, when Marie Antoinette describes the family’s attempted escape from Versailles, Stylefit shows that the writing becomes even more emotionally rich. In this piece:
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Her fear is raw
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Living conditions are unpredictable
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Citizens are provoked
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Memories are horrifying
These elements help the writing sit firmly in the narrative and emotive parts of the grid. It’s powerful storytelling.
A Strong Finish: Echoing the Opening
The final paragraph mirrors the themes from the beginning, providing a satisfying conclusion. It brings the reader full circle and strengthens the overall structure of the story.
Final Thoughts
Villain or Not is a thoughtful and evocative historical narrative. Stylefit helped identify where the writing was working well and where small adjustments could take it even further.
The takeaway? Pay attention to how your writing lands in the grid:
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If your goal is emotion, your writing may land in the red or purple areas.
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If you’re writing an objective account, it might stay in the blue.
Whatever your intention, Stylefit gives you the feedback you need to stay on track and grow as a writer.
You can read the full story here: Villain or Not – Full Entry
Good luck and happy writing!
— Suraya