VOICE

We will begin class with a 15 minutes journal entry:

If you had to describe yourself to someone else, what would you say? Do you think they would agree with you? Why or why not?



THEN. .. . 

We will take part in a short activity where we try to guess who the speaker is. Are we able to? How do we know who is speaking? What is unique about the way they speak?

All of this will lead us into how to add voice into our writing. Voice shows the writer's personality. It contains feelings and emotions so that the writing doesn't sound like a text book. The writing should be done from the heart-feel it!

Suggestions on how to add voice to your writing (from Kim'scorner4teachers)

• Voice isn't as hard as it seems, just be yourself. Otherwise, the voice won't be your own
• Think of your audience. Voice changes as your audience changes.  For example, the way you would tell your friends you wrecked your mother's car is not the same way you tell your mother. If you feel that you have no personal connection to the reader, pretend you are writing for your best friend--the one you can tell anything.
• Think  of your topic. How do you feel about it? Put those feelings into your writing. Get emotional, but don't tell your reader how you feel, show him/her how you feel. Do not hold back!  (However, please remember to keep your writing appropriate for school.  You have to watch your choice of words.
•  What is your opinion? Don't be afraid to share it. Opinions give us our voice. If you truly believe in something, prove to the reader that your are right. Support your opinions with specific details and reasons. 
• Look at your topic from different angles, and choose the one you are most comfortable with presenting. Humor, seriousness, sarcasm, and mysteriousness are just a few of the angles you can use. If you get stuck, try using an unexpected angle. For example, if you are writing about a serious topic, like taking you test, approach it with humor.

What do you think? Are you ready? Can you do it? Let's go back our writing and see if we have voice down pat!