1. Voice The Writer’s Voice

2. What is Voice? The “sound” of a person speaking to reader Writer has many voices The way the writer sees things/world view Point of view or vantage point/narrative filter First person—I Present, part of the action Can be solipsistic Second person—you Actor in a drama or how-to (You’re at Wallmart. You look around, overwhelmed by the size of the store. You don’t know where to begin...) Experimental voice can be quirky, may be off-putting Third person—he or she Objective

3. Natural Voice Voice is affected by: Family Ethnic heritage Region Culture Educational background

4. The Writer’s Voice An effective voice is tuned to: Message Purpose Story or topic Reader

5. The Elements of Voice Tone & Diction Conveys attitude toward subject and audience Style Distinctive way writer uses language Alter simplicity or formality of sentences Structure The internal logic or piece; relationship among parts Linear, intuitive, parallel Values Political, social, religious, philosophical, etc. Authority Knowledge, self-confidence, control

6. Practice Rewrite the opening few sentences or paragraph of your first essay: 1) Write to a teen or child audience; 2) Write as if it were a humor piece; 3) Write in a sassy or controversial tone.