Style of language

In his adventure novel, Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe dismisses the idea of using a figurative style of writing and prefers a realistic, detailed, and straightforward narrative style. Robinson's account and language are very concrete, kept simple and easy to understand, as here for example: “so, taking my gun, a hatchet, and my dog, and a larger quantity of powder and shot than usual, with two biscuit-cakes and a great bunch of raisins in my pouch for my store, I began my journey” (Chapter 8, 0%) or here: “I presently found there were no less than nine naked savages sitting round a small fire they had made” (Chapter 13, 17%).

Robinson's reflections in the original version are sometimes elevated or archaic. Many versions have adapted the language and the spelling to make it easier for readers to follow the plot.

Robinson's experiences and everyday life are described in detail and with precision as in a factual report. Natural phenomena are also described accurately and simply:

Soon after that the wind arose by...