Voice Lessons An Introduction to Diction, Detail, Imagery, Syntax, Tone

Voice A term referring to: 1)the manner of expression of the speaker in a literary work (particularly the narrator) or of a character in the work (e.g., Huck Finn’s “voice”; 2)the style of a given author (e.g., the “voice” of American poet Walt Whitman); or 3)the unique and pervasive human presence that the reader or audience senses is the driving force behind a literary work and the source of its ethical norms and values.

Diction Word choice. The foundation of voice and contributes to all of its elements. Effective voice is shaped by words that are clear, concrete, and exact. – A coat isn’t torn, it is tattered. – A door does not shut; it thuds. Forbidden words – Good, nice, pretty, beautiful, fine, bad, thing, really, very, terrible, wonderful, a lot

Detail Facts, observations, and incidents. Used to develop a topic, shaping and seasoning voice. Shapes reader attitude by focusing attention: the more specific the detail, the greater the focus on the object described. Can be used by describing something intensely; or, conversely, not describing something.

Imagery Verbal representation of sensory experience. Brings the immediacy of sensory experience to writing and gives voice a distinctive quality. Uses the senses to recreate an experience. Can use figurative language (metaphors, similes, symbolism, irony)

Syntax Grammatical sentence structure. Controls verbal pacing and focus. Includes subjects and verbs, clauses and phrases, fragments, word order, sentence length, and punctuation. The best way to improve your syntax? Read successful writing and emulate those authors!

Tone Expression of attitude. It is the writer’s (or narrator’s) implied attitude toward his subject or audience. Uses all the previous aspects to give voice its distinctive personality. Easy to hear in spoken language – not so easy to create in writing.

Practice with Voice We will be completing several exercises focusing on the aspects of voice. These will periodically be a “bell ringer” exercise to be completed in the journal portion of your binder or given as homework. I will take these up to grade periodically.

Resources Nancy Dean. Discovering Voice. …Voice Lessons.