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?