Discovering Voice in Your Writing In your 3-prong folder: What is voice? How is voice created?

What is voice? Voice is what makes reading interesting. Voice is what gives color and texture to communication and keeps us involved.

How is voice created? Voice is created through conscious choices. In other words, the writer, painter, or musician purposefully chooses his or her « tools » (words, colors, instruments) and uses them in ways that create a certain effect.

What is he/she (or the work) saying? How do you know? As you consider the conscious choices writers make, learn to ask yourself some fundamental questions: What is he/she (or the work) saying? What does the work mean? How do you know? What evidence can you find in the work to determine the meaning? How does he/she do that? What tools does the writer use to create meaning, and how does he/she use these tools?

Think about how Van Gogh expresses his voice – his style or personality What is Van Gogh saying about himself? Based on the picture, not your feelings, complete these two statements as if you were the Van Gogh of this portrait I am… I feel… How do you know what Van Gogh is saying about himself? What evidence can you find in the picture that supports your statements?

Voice in Reading & Writing Read and Think: The little pink fishes swam upstream and died. Talk about it: Is this sentence sad? What specific characteristics in the sentence keep it from being sad?

Voice in Reading & Writing Read and Think: The little pink fishes swam upstream and died. Now you try it: Write a sad version of the sentence above. What did you do to make it sad? What conscious choices did you make?

Elements of Voice Diction Refers to the choice of words and is the foundation of voice and all good writing Detail The facts, observations, and incidents that develop a topic Figurative language The use of words in an unusual way to reveal new meaning, meaning that is not literal and makes the reader think. Imagery The use of words to capture a sensory experience – what you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. Brings life to what you write and makes it seem real. Syntax Includes sentence structure, word order, and punctuation Controlling syntax is one way to express ideas and thoughts in a fully developed, mature way Tone The expression of attitude in writing. Writers express tone through the use of diction, detail, imagery, figurative language, and syntax

Voice ~ Your Turn Read and Think: My girl is beautiful. Talk About It: What image does this evoke in you? My beauty-pageant-queen reigns supreme in her family, her school, and in our relationship. My angel glows in her family, with her friends, and in my heart.