Many have noted a signature staccato style to DiFranco's work [2], [3]. Another important aspect is her skill in rapid fingerpicking and use of a plethora of alternate tunings. Her lyrics have also received praise for their sophistication: alliteration (and wordplay in general) is an important component, and a more or less gentle irony fills many of her songs—especially those that deal with the intersection of the personal and political. She is known for her descriptive use of metaphors. She delivers many of her lines in a speaking style notable for its rhythmic variation. The song "Talkin' Mrs. DiFranco Blues," a talking blues song by Dan Bern, strings together some of the most memorable lines from DiFranco's early career for comic effect.

DiFranco's music has been classified as folk rock and alternative rock, but since her early albums she has reached across genres, having collaborated with a wide range of artists including the pop musician Prince, the folk musician Utah Phillips, and both Maceo and Corey Parker. In various songs and albums, she has used a variety of instruments as well as styles—from brass, notably in 1998's Little Plastic Castle, and strings, particularly noticeable on the live album Living in Clip and the recent Knuckle Down. She has also experimented with electronics and synths as seen on her latest studio recording, Reprieve.

Regarding the "folk" label often applied, sometimes in qualified form, to her music, DiFranco has noted (in an interview with Pavement Magazine) that "folk music is not an acoustic guitar--that's not where the heart of it is. I use the word 'folk' in reference to punk music and rap music. It's an attitude, it's an awareness of one's heritage, and it's a community. It's subcorporate music that gives voice to different communities and their struggle against authority."

Text Source: wikipedia.com