Elements of Voice

1. Elements of Voice Overview

2. Diction: the choice of words and is the foundation of voice and all good writing • Detail: refers to the facts, observations, and incidents that develop a topic. • Figurativelanguage: is the use of words in an unusual way to reveal new meaning, meaning that is not literal and makes the reader think • Imagery: the use of words to capture a sensory experience (what you hear, see, smell, taste or touch) • Syntax: inclues sentence structure, word order, and punctuation • Tone: expression of attitude in writing. Tone is created through the use of diction, detail, imagery, figurative language, and syntax.

3. Dead and Forbidden Words • Good • Nice • Pretty • Beautiful • Fine bad • Thing • Really • Very • Terrible • Wonderful • Amazing • A lot

4. Diction Making a conscious choice to write the perfect word.

5. Connotation vs Denotation • Denotationisthe meaning of the word • Connotation is the meaning suggested by a word, the feeling evoked Example Ambitious vs Eager Denotation: desirous of reaching a goal Connotation: Ambitious: has a feeling of wanting it for selfish reasons Eager: has a feeling of enthusiasm and fresh-faced optimism

6. Diction 1 A redheaded woman was there with Trout. Kate could see her rummaging through the cabin, dumping drawers and knocking things from the shelves of cabinets. – Louise Sachar, Holes • What picture do you get in your head when you read the second sentence? • How would the meaning of the sentence change if we changed the following words: Kate could see her searching through the cabin, emptying the drawers and taking things off the shelves of the cabinets.

7. Now, you try it Write a sentece describing a small boy making a mess in a restaurant. Choose words that are clear, concrete, and exact.

8. Diction 2 M.C. heard him scramble and strain his way up the slope of Sarah’s mountain. – Virginia Hamilton • What does it mean to scramble and strain up a mountain? Close your eyes and try to get a picture of someone straitening up a mountain. • How would it change your mental picture if we rewrote the sentence to . . . M.C. heard him walk up the slope of Sarah’s mountain.

9. Now you try it Write a sentence describing someone slowly climbing up a flight of stairs. Use Hamilton’s sentence as a model.

10. Diction 3 For nearly a year, I sopped around the house, the Store, the school, and the church, like an old biscuit, dirty and inedible. Then I met, or rather got to know, the lady who threw me my first lifeline. – Maya Angelou • What is the dictionary definition of the verb sop? This word is not usually used to describe a person’s actions. What effect does this have on the reader? • What is a lifeline? How is Angelou’s use of the word different from its usual use? How does this diction effect your understanding of the sentence?

11. Now you try it Write a sentence using the verb “ring” in a fresh and new way to capture your behavior around the house. Use Angelou’s first sentence as a model. For nearly a year, I sopped around the house, the Store, the school, and the church, like an old biscuit, dirty and inedible.