Voice

1. Voice The way an author creates a certain effect

2. Introduction to Voice • Write the following sentence: • The little pink fish swam upstream and died. • Talk about it: • Is this sentence sad? Think about it carefully. Don’t focus on the idea of a dying fish. Instead, focus on the sentence itself and the effect it produces. Does the sentence make you feel sad, or like crying when you read it? Why or why not? • Most people will agree that the sentence is not very sad. Why? What specific characteristics in the sentence keep it from being da? As you identify these characteristics, you are beginning to look at the tools writers have to choose from as they create voice.

3. Diction • Diction refers to the author’s choice of words. • The perfect word is clear, concrete, and exact. • A characters doesn’t just look for something; she rummages. • You don’t just hang around the house; you sop around the house. • Forbidden Words! • Connotation and Denotation: • Denotation is the literal meaning of the word • Connotation is the figurative meaning of the word • Example: skinny and lanky • Denotation: thin ; Connotation: …

4. Detail • Detailis what makes writing come alive. • Includes: facts, observations, reasons, examples, and incidents • Specific details create a clear mental picture for the reader • Detail also shapes the reader’s understanding and view of a topic

5. Lets practice Detail  • Make a list of all the details you might focus on during a shopping trip to the mall • Next, decide you focus: people, clothes, food, variety of experiences, commercialism, stores, unexpected thing you find, activities, specific parts of the mall (like an arcade). You decide. Write your focus. • Now write down your attitude. Are you thrilled, critical, neutral, mocking, angry, awed? • Finally, list as many details as you can that support your focus and develop your attitude. Chose only details that help you r reader understand the focus and attitude you want to convey. • This time, shift your attention and think about your favorite time of the year at the mall. Your favorite time of year is the focus. Your attitude should be celebratory and happy. List all the details you can that support this focus and attitude.

6. Imagery • Imagery is the use of words to re-create a sensory experience. (5 senses not just a visual picture) • It is difficult to separate imagery from diction and detail. • Depends on precise word choice and specific detail. • Difference: Using words and details to capture a sensory experience • More specific the imagery is, the more powerful it is as a tool

7. Figurative Language • Figurative language is any language that is not used in a literal (meaning exactly what it says) way. • It's a way of saying one thing and meaning another. • Example: • That catcher was the bomb! • That ball sat in the outfield. • Jimmy ran like a cheetah. • Why use figurative language? • Because it's rich, strong, and vivid way to express meaning • Able to say much more in fewer words • Example: My love it like a red, red rose. By poet Robert Burns • Examples: Similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, symbolism

8. Syntax • Syntax is the way words are arranged in sentences (sentence structure) • Sentence parts • Word order • Sentence length • Punctuation • Expert writers understand how language is put together (example: like a movie director- must know their tools and which tool to use for the best effect) • The best way-indeed the only way- to master syntax is to read, read, read!

9. Syntax: Sentence fragments • The lion is a wild animal. Really wild. • (looks like a sentence but does not meet the criteria for a sentence) • Used for emphasis, to point out the importance of an idea (makes the reader stop and think of how wild the lion really is) • Overuse reduces effectiveness

10. Syntax: Word Order • Look at how changing word order changes the meaning in the sentences: • Jim said that he drives only a truck. (He drives nothing else) • Jim said that only he drives a truck. (No e else drives a truck) • Jim only said that he drives a truck. (He probably doesn't really drive a truck) • Only Jim said that he drives a truck. (No one else said it). • Sometime expert writers change word order for special effect or for emphasis.

11. Syntax: Sentence Length • Writers vary sentence length to keep readers interested and to control what their readers pay attention to. • Short to emphasize a point • Longer to expand on and develop an idea

12. Syntax: Punctuation • A word about punctuation.  • Semicolon: All clauses are equally important, pay close attention to them all • He is my best friend; I have known him most of my life. • Colon: tells the reader that something important will follow • He is my best friend: he helps me through hard times and celebrates good times with me. • Dash: marks a sudden change in thought or sets off a summary (parentheses can do this too, dash is more informal) • John-my best friend-lives right down the street. • Italics: used to talk about a word OR for emphasis • Of all the people I've ever known, John is my best friend.

13. Tone • Toneis the expression of the author's attitude toward his/her audience and subject matter. (feeling that grows out of the reading) • Many different tones: serious, light-hearted, playful, sarcastic, accepting, etc) • It is easy to understand tone in spoken language. • Mom “Don't use that tone of voice with me!” (you expressed some disrespect through what you said and how you said it; she is angry)

14. Tone: Practice Hard to understand tone in writing. Can't depend on vocal or facial expressions. But it can be done!

15. Closing • These things are both challenging and fascinating. • You connect to the writers thoughts and expression and that is what reading is all about. • You can learn to say exactly what you want to say in writing. And that is what writing is all about. • Focus Question: • What makes up an authors voice?