"Keystyle" is an abbreviation of "keyed freestyle," a term used by internet emcees to distinguish between a verse that has been prepared over a long period of time and a verse that they have typed out in one sitting, usually in response to a battle challenge.

There are several typing conventions prevalent in keystyling:

• The use of quotation marks to indicate related concepts, e.g. "I'll 'rip' you like 'paper.'"
• The use of hyphens to indicate multi-syllable rhymes and sped-up rhythm, e.g. "insidious, can't get-with-this."
• CAPITAL LETTERS and *asterisks* used for emphasis.