Elements of Voice: Hemingway and The Sun Also Rises Writing Style and Concepts

VOICE  The elements of voice include: diction, detail, imagery, syntax, and tone.  The elements of voice include: diction, detail, imagery, syntax, and tone.

Diction (Word Choice)  Diction (word choice) is the foundation of voice and contributes to all of its elements.  Effective voice is shaped by words that are clear, concrete, and exact. Diction depends on topic, purpose, and occasion.  Diction (word choice) is the foundation of voice and contributes to all of its elements.  Effective voice is shaped by words that are clear, concrete, and exact. Diction depends on topic, purpose, and occasion.

Detail  Detail (facts, observations, and incidents) is used to develop a topic, shaping and seasoning voice.  Detail creates a precise mental picture, bringing life and color to description, focusing the reader’s attention and bringing the reader into the scene.  Detail (facts, observations, and incidents) is used to develop a topic, shaping and seasoning voice.  Detail creates a precise mental picture, bringing life and color to description, focusing the reader’s attention and bringing the reader into the scene.

Imagery  Imagery (verbal representation of sensory experience) brings the immediacy of sensory experience to writing and gives voice a distinctive quality.  This can represent sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.  Imagery (verbal representation of sensory experience) brings the immediacy of sensory experience to writing and gives voice a distinctive quality.  This can represent sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

Syntax  Syntax (grammatical sentence structure) controls verbal pacing and focus. This refers to the way words are arranged within sentences.  Another aspect is sentence length. Writers vary sentence length to forestall boredom and control emphasis.  Repetition is another way writers achieve sentence focus. Punctuation, including the semicolon, colon, and dash, can also reinforce meaning, construct effect, and express the writer’s voice.  Syntax (grammatical sentence structure) controls verbal pacing and focus. This refers to the way words are arranged within sentences.  Another aspect is sentence length. Writers vary sentence length to forestall boredom and control emphasis.  Repetition is another way writers achieve sentence focus. Punctuation, including the semicolon, colon, and dash, can also reinforce meaning, construct effect, and express the writer’s voice.

Tone  Tone (expression of attitude) gives voice its distinctive personality.  Tone sets the mood of the piece and is created by diction and syntax, as well as the purposeful use of details and imagery.  Tone (expression of attitude) gives voice its distinctive personality.  Tone sets the mood of the piece and is created by diction and syntax, as well as the purposeful use of details and imagery.