Using VOICE in writing

When you write with VOICE …. Readers feel like you are talking right to them. Readers feel like you are talking right to them. It helps the reader to get to know you, or the character you are writing about, better. It helps the reader to get to know you, or the character you are writing about, better. It helps the writer create characters who seem real and have real personalities. It helps the writer create characters who seem real and have real personalities.

Examples of how the use of voice affects your writing. I am Jack. I have dark hair and brown eyes. Hockey is my favourite sport. I am learning how to play the drums but I’m not very good. I have a big sister and a little brother. I am Jack. I have dark hair and brown eyes. Hockey is my favourite sport. I am learning how to play the drums but I’m not very good. I have a big sister and a little brother.

My name is Jack but everyone calls me JJ. Don’t ask me why because my last name is Renny. I have brown eyes and hair that is trying to be black but didn’t quite make it. Hockey is the most awesome sport in the world and anyone who doesn’t like it shouldn’t be allowed to live. I am learning to play the drums but my mom would probably tell you that I’m not very good yet. I am a middle child – which is a nice way of saying that I have a bossy big sister and a tag-along baby brother. My name is Jack but everyone calls me JJ. Don’t ask me why because my last name is Renny. I have brown eyes and hair that is trying to be black but didn’t quite make it. Hockey is the most awesome sport in the world and anyone who doesn’t like it shouldn’t be allowed to live. I am learning to play the drums but my mom would probably tell you that I’m not very good yet. I am a middle child – which is a nice way of saying that I have a bossy big sister and a tag-along baby brother.

Practice using VOICE Jonathan’s favourite drink was 7-Up. Jonathan’s favourite drink was 7-Up. My best friend, super jock Jonathan, absolutely loves to guzzle 7-Up during half time, when he plays basketball. It might seem crazy, but after he lets out a disgusting enormous belch, it seems to actually give him more spring in the second half. My best friend, super jock Jonathan, absolutely loves to guzzle 7-Up during half time, when he plays basketball. It might seem crazy, but after he lets out a disgusting enormous belch, it seems to actually give him more spring in the second half. My Teacher gives me too much homework. My Teacher gives me too much homework. My grumpy old teacher, Ms. Peanuckle, seems to find great joy in torturing her students. She actually assigns pages of homework every Friday afternoon and laughs hysterically while saying, “Enjoy your weekend, my prettys!” I hope she catapults off a bridge this weekend! My grumpy old teacher, Ms. Peanuckle, seems to find great joy in torturing her students. She actually assigns pages of homework every Friday afternoon and laughs hysterically while saying, “Enjoy your weekend, my prettys!” I hope she catapults off a bridge this weekend!

My sister sometimes bugs me. My sister sometimes bugs me. I swear that my little sister Samantha, aka “I’m so sickeningly sweet to everyone BUT my brother,” is going to send me to the mental asylum one day. I swear that my little sister Samantha, aka “I’m so sickeningly sweet to everyone BUT my brother,” is going to send me to the mental asylum one day. Story time…..See if you can identify the use of voice in the sample story. Story time…..See if you can identify the use of voice in the sample story.

Vocabulary and Triple-Scoop Words “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and lightning bug.” - Mark Twain “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and lightning bug.” - Mark Twain WORD CHOICE IS IMPORTANT! WORD CHOICE IS IMPORTANT!

Artist vs Writer ARTIST: starts with a blank canvas and creates an image by mixing the paint and carefully spreading and arranging the paint on the canvas. ARTIST: starts with a blank canvas and creates an image by mixing the paint and carefully spreading and arranging the paint on the canvas. WRITER: starts with a blank page and uses words instead of paint to create images. WRITER: starts with a blank page and uses words instead of paint to create images.

WRITERS: carefully choose, arrange, and rearrange their words because they want their readers to be able to see the story in their minds. WRITERS: carefully choose, arrange, and rearrange their words because they want their readers to be able to see the story in their minds. There are approximately a quarter of a million words in the English language to choose from! There are approximately a quarter of a million words in the English language to choose from! ARTIST: spend a long time mixing colours until they find just the right tone. ARTIST: spend a long time mixing colours until they find just the right tone. WRITERS: need to take time to find the right words; the best words. WRITERS: need to take time to find the right words; the best words.

ARTISTS: need lots of colour to make a painting interesting. ARTISTS: need lots of colour to make a painting interesting. If an artists used the same two colours all the time the pictures would be boring to look at. If an artists used the same two colours all the time the pictures would be boring to look at. WRITERS: need a lot of words in order to make their writing interesting. WRITERS: need a lot of words in order to make their writing interesting. If a writer used the same words over and over, the writing would be boring to read. If a writer used the same words over and over, the writing would be boring to read. HAVING A HUGE PALETTE OF WORDS CAN HELP US BECOME MORE COLOURFUL WRITERS. HAVING A HUGE PALETTE OF WORDS CAN HELP US BECOME MORE COLOURFUL WRITERS.

Single Scoop vs Triple Scoop Single Scoop words: ordinary and plain words. Just like a single scoop of ice cream – its good but usually leaves you wanting more. Single Scoop words: ordinary and plain words. Just like a single scoop of ice cream – its good but usually leaves you wanting more. Triple Scoop words: amazing words – delicious words that make you feel full and satisfied. Triple Scoop words: amazing words – delicious words that make you feel full and satisfied.

Examples SINGLE SCOOP SINGLE SCOOP Sad Sad Mad Mad Good Good TRIPLE SCOOP TRIPLE SCOOP Devastated, depressed Devastated, depressed Furious, livid Furious, livid Amazing, fantastic Amazing, fantastic