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An introduction to identifying the unique personality and perspective an author brings to their writing.
If you received a text message from your best friend and one from your grandmother, could you tell who sent which one even if their names were hidden? That 'feeling' you get from their writing is exactly what authors call voice.
Quick Check
What are the three core components that combine to create an author's voice?
Answer
Diction (word choice), Syntax (sentence structure), and Tone (attitude).
To change a voice, an author adjusts their tools. Diction can be formal ('The feline departed') or informal ('The cat bailed'). Syntax controls the rhythm. Short, choppy sentences create a sense of urgency or nervousness. Long, flowing sentences often feel calm, academic, or dreamy. By varying sentence length, an author controls the 'heartbeat' of the story. For example, a detective novel might use short, punchy sentences to mimic a fast-paced investigation, while a nature essay might use long, descriptive sentences to mimic the slow growth of a forest.
Observe how voice changes based on word choice and sentence structure:
1. Voice A (Scientific/Detached): 'The barometric pressure dropped significantly. Precipitation began at 14:00 hours, accompanied by high-velocity winds.' 2. Voice B (Dramatic/Emotional): 'The sky bruised purple and screamed. Rain lashed against the glass like angry fingers, desperate to get inside.'
Notice how Voice A uses technical diction and passive syntax, while Voice B uses personification and intense, active verbs.
Quick Check
If an author uses words like 'screamed' and 'lashed' instead of 'occurred' and 'began,' which component of voice are they primarily adjusting?
Answer
Diction (word choice).
The final piece of the puzzle is Tone. This is the author's 'mood.' Is the writer being sarcastic? Serious? Playful? Perspective also plays a huge role. A story told by a five-year-old will have a vastly different voice than a story told by a weary soldier, even if they are describing the exact same parade. The child might focus on the bright colors and the taste of cotton candy (sensory diction), while the soldier might notice the precision of the marching and the weight of the uniforms (observational diction).
Scenario: A character drops an ice cream cone.
1. Author 1 (Cynical Voice): 'Of course it fell. The universe has a funny way of reminding you that joy is temporary and usually ends up melting on the hot pavement.' 2. Author 2 (Whimsical Voice): 'The strawberry swirl did a graceful somersault before landing with a cheerful splat, painting the sidewalk in a bright, sticky polka-dot.'
Author 1 uses a heavy, pessimistic tone. Author 2 uses lighthearted diction ('somersault', 'polka-dot') to create a playful voice.
Identify the voice in this complex excerpt: 'The clock’s rhythmic ticking was a hammer against my skull. Each second—thump—was a reminder of the deadline. I had to move. Now.'
1. Diction: Words like 'hammer' and 'skull' create a violent, stressed feeling. 2. Syntax: The use of fragments ('Each second—thump—') and short sentences ('I had to move. Now.') creates a high-tension, urgent voice. 3. Tone: Anxious and pressured.
Which term describes the specific word choices an author makes?
If a writer uses many long, complex sentences with multiple commas, they are primarily manipulating their:
Tone and Voice are the exact same thing.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to remember the three parts of the 'Voice Equation' (
Practice Activity
Take a simple task, like making a sandwich, and write a 3-sentence description of it in the voice of a sports announcer, then rewrite it in the voice of a grumpy chef.