genus dicendi (scribendi); oratio

Etymology:

• Not stilus, which means the writing instrument, the stylus, hence the expression stilum vertere (Verr. 2. 3. 41), to erase what has been written. Metaphorically it denotes—(1) the action of writing, e.g. stilus optimus est et praestantissimus dicendi effector et magister; (2) the manner of writing, mode of composition, e.g. unus enim sonus est totius orationis et idem stilus.