1. Writer’s Workshop: Adding Voice

2. What is Voice? According to the Experts, Voice is… Voice is mostly about telling the truth… “Not THE truth, but your truth” Voice is the magical heard quality in writing Voices makes the reader want to move on Voice is music in the language Voice reflects the way we see the world Voice speaks out and demands to be heard Voice gives focus and significance to information Voice is addictive. Once you’ve read a text that is alive with voice, it is much harder to tolerate voiceless writing…

3. Voice vs. Tone TONE: The attitude the author takes towards his or her subject VOICE: Reveals the author’s character, personality Aka Style Developed through Word Choice SO…your voice (how you say it) can be different than what you think about it (tone)

4. Killing your Voice means killing your writing! One surefire way to measure your use of this trait is to ask whether you feel an irresistible urge to share a piece aloud A piece of writing that does not engage the reader honestly has no voice! No magic No flow No emotional challenge No intellectual challenge No individual human being behind the page

5. “Types” of Voice… The Formal Voice The Informal Voice Genre Voices THIS MAKES SENSE. Do you talk to your parents the same way your talk to your friends? Do you write a thank-you note to your grandma the same way you say thanks to a teacher?

6. WORKSHOP- Slide #1 1. On loose leaf, number your paper according to the number of paragraphs in your essay. 2. Read your essay quietly. After each paragraph, answer the following question on your loose leaf: What did I hope to reveal about myself/personality in this paragraph? Write it down. 3. At the end, write a one sentence statement about the voice you hoped to bring forth in your draft.

7. WORKSHOP- Slide #2 1. Read your essay out loud to your partner. Listen as he/she reads his/hers to you. 2. Swap essays AND loose leaf. 3. Silently re-read your partner’s essay. After each paragraph, respond to your partner’s voice; do you agree or disagree? What words help or hurt? 4. Return essays and loose leaf.

8. WORKSHOP- Revise for Voice Using your partner’s feedback, revise your draft to achieve the voice you have set as your goal. In the margins of your draft or above/ below the text, add words, phrases, sentences that give your writing more of YOU! Word choice and sentence fluency are the easiest ways to infuse your writing with voice, so start there.