Successfully Creating a Character Voice Using the vocal terms, a character’s personality and physical appearance to create a successful character voice

Vocal Terms Pitch – How high or low the voice is Quality – Whether your voice is shrill, nasal, raspy, breathy, booming, etc. Rate – How fast or slow you speak Emphasis – The added focus on a word or phrase. This can add or change the meaning of a line. Inflection – The variety in speech. Articulation - Clear and precise pronunciation of words.

GET TO KNOW THE CHARACTER

Steps to Creating a Character FIRST Get to know the character’s personality and background

Key Character Traits Take a moment to write down two or three character traits you feel like your character might have. Ex. Bossy - because Sam was always telling Alex what to do. Ex. Disorganized - because Seth tripped over clothing in Andrew’s room, so Seth’s room is probably messy

Share and Discuss Now that you have written two character traits share with a group member and answer the following questions: (You have 2 minutes) How might understanding personality be useful in developing a character voice? What is your favorite thing about your character so far?

Now get specific Write down your explanation of the following on your paper: Pitch - how high or low is your character’s voice? Why? Example - Eeyore has a low voice because he is kind of pessimistic.

Now, Get Specific Add the following explanation under Pitch: Quality Is the voice shrill, raspy, nasally, breathy, soft or booming? Why? Example - Ben has a booming voice, especially when he’s laughing. He served with Marines, so he’s used to making his voice heard.

Now, Get Specific Add the following explanation under Quality: Rate Does your character speak fast or slow? Why? EX: White Rabbit He speaks fast because he seems like he is in a hurry. He keeps saying, “I’m late! I’m late!”

Put all of that together Try combining your Pitch, Quality and Rate as you read your character lines. We are all going to practice at the same time.

I didn’t say I stole Minerva’s pen. Emphasis Emphasis = special and significant stress of voice laid on particular words or syllables; something that is given great stress or importance Ex. I didn’t say I stole Minerva’s pen. Define Emphasis = special and significant stress of voice laid on particular words or syllables; something that is given great stress or importance Display the following sentence: I didn't say Minerva stole my blue pen. Ask students to silently read the sentence to them and think about its meaning. Then have them share their ideas with the class utilizing think-pair-share. Point to the first word and Have students chorally read the sentence emphasizing the word I: Discuss the “new” meaning of the sentence. (Someone else said it.) Continue the process with each word, as follows: I didn't say Minerva stole my blue pen. (I strongly deny saying that.) I didn't say Minerva stole my blue pen. (I implied it.) I didn't say Minerva stole my blue pen. (I said someone else stole it.) I didn't say Minerva stole my blue pen. (Minerva did something else with it.) I didn't say Minerva stole my blue pen. (She stole someone else's blue pen.) I didn't say Minerva stole my blue pen. (She stole one of another color.) I didn't say Minerva stole my blue pen. (She stole a different blue item.)

https://www.online-stopwatch.com/eggtimer- countdown/ Emphasis Now practice with your own character. Pick a line and decide on a word to emphasize. Think about how that affects the meaning of the line. https://www.online-stopwatch.com/eggtimer- countdown/ Give two minutes to practice the line and think about meaning. Then, pair share.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have successfully created a character voice using the vocal terms and your character’s personality