 When we speak, our voices convey a range of emotions and we can sound sarcastic or sincere.  Writing also has a VOICE.  VOICE in writing is how our words sound to the reader.  Writing is more enjoyable and interesting to reader when it has a strong voice—a personality.

Match tone to purpose. Before you write, think about your purpose and what tone is most appropriate. friendly or formal tone Match word choice and sentence structure to audience. Before you write, think about who you are writing for. word choice A writer who knows the subject matter is able to write with confidence. If you’re writing with a strong voice, it usually means that you know your topic well and are enthusiastic about it. Know your topic

Compare the voice in these two writing samples.  One night, Snappy our pet snake got loose. We only found out about it when we heard our neighbor scream.  It was a hot and silent night. A bloodcurdling scream split the air. Loud grating noises came from the alley between the dark houses, as if bricks were being thrown down a metal slide. From an open window came the sudden cry of “Snappy!” The snake was loose again. Which voice do you prefer? Why?

Tone  the author’s attitude towards the subject that he/she is writing about such as anger or approval, pride or piety, joy or pain.

Tone

Diction  the author’s choice of words, the vocabulary level of the story.

How to Improve Word Choice 1. Use very precise words for the message you want to send. Are you afraid of bugs…or are you afraid of large, hairy spiders? 2. Choose the right synonym for the mood or tone of the piece. The words frightened, alarmed, terrified, and petrified are similar in meaning, but each word gives the reader a different idea about how someone is feeling.

3. Show, don’t tell. Choose words that can show your reader what you mean. Rather than just saying your character was scared, say…his legs were shaking, and every hair on his body had just jumped to attention. 4. Cross out unnecessary words that don’t contribute to your message or mood.

Which poem sounds best? Fear of Spiders Poem by Karri The spider’s leg crawl across the page. I hear the load screams inside me. My heart races. Arachnophobia Poem by Karri The spider’s dangly legs creep across the blank page. I feel the screams inside me. My heart pounds.