This document discusses voice in writing. It defines voice as a writer's unique presence on the page that makes their writing distinct. Voice is created through word choice, syntax, subject matter, point of view, and patterns that emerge over time from a writer's influences and choices. The document provides advice on finding one's voice, such as concentrating on good writing and letting the voice emerge naturally. It also discusses adopting personas of other people or characters to experiment with different voices, but notes one should not claim the entire perspectives of others as their own.

1. Voice

2. What is
voice?

3. What is voice?
 that sense of unique presence on the page
 an unmistakable something that becomes the
mark of a writer
 a way of saying things that is the writer’s own
 a sign that the piece was written by a human
being

4. How do writers
create voice?

5. How do writers create voice?
1. With words (diction)
 Choice (vocabulary)
 Arrangement (syntax)

6. How do writers create voice?
2. Over time
 Because of writers they’ve read
 Because of choices they’ve made

7. How do writers create voice?
By repeating subject matter.
Using the same point of view.
Conforming to a form.

8. Writing Exercise (WNB)
Take a minute and think about
your own writing.
What do you do that makes your
writing yours?
What patterns exist in your
writing?

9. How do I find
my voice?

10. How do I find my voice?
This is one of those phrases you hear
writers use.
My answer: Was it ever lost?
 You always have your voice, and it will
probably change over time.
 Concentrate on creating good writing, and
your distinctive sound will emerge.

11. How do I find my voice?
Don’t worry; it happens
automatically. We don’t choose it.
Seek to say something, and your
voice will follow.
Work on broadening your vocabulary
by reading.
It emerges when you write
passionately.

12. How do I find my voice?
You have a number of different
voices, depending on your audience.
You speak differently in class than
you do:
@home
@practice
@a party

13. “Voice is born from a lot of work—but not just any
words or any work will do. You have to bleed a
little. You have to shiver a little. You have to love
a lot—love your writing, love your failures, love
your courage in going on in spite of them, love
every small triumph that points toward eventual
success. You already have a voice. It’s beautiful,
it’s unique… Your job is to lead it from the
darkest of the dark places and the deepest of
the deep waters into the light of day.”
– Holly Lisle

14. Can I steal
others’ voices?

15. Can I steal others’ voices?
 Persona
 Greek for “mask”
 Pretending to be someone else
 A mask adopted by a writer
 Persona writing typically means “the creation of a
voice for something or someone very different
than the writer.”
 This can be a great way to stretch imagination and
writing style, to feed your own voice.
 Remember: No written account can be the whole
truth about an event.

16. Writing Exercise - Collected
 Take a look at the person in the picture you are handed.
If you don’t know them by name, that’s ok.
 List qualities you think this person would have, just by
looking at them.
 List topics you think would be important to this person.
 Adopt the persona of this person, and write about one of
the topics you just listed.
 Write a short piece from this person’s perspective.
 Remember, you are not writing your opinion of this person,
but imagining how this person sees the world.

17. Point of View
A close relative to voice

18. Point of view
 Definition: the perspective from which the
story is told
 First person - I
 Second Person - You
 Third Person – He/she

19. Perspective
 The vantage point from which the story is told

20. Writing Activity - Collected
 The situation: Your character is entering
someplace new. Write the opening of the story of
this entrance from four perspectives:
1. First person
2. Second person
3. Third person
4. The perspective of an object in/a part of the room
 What did you notice about the perspectives?

21. Ideas: Point of View
 Write about yourself from the perspective of
your shoes.
 Write from a baby’s perspective—in the
womb.
 Write from the perspective of an animal.
 Write form the perspective of an inanimate
object looking for his/her mate.