Voice

VoiceTalk Directly to Audience

Unique Point of ViewCatchy Titles

Evoking Emotion

Whenever you seethis icon, you will writein your note-taking packet.

Day Four

Voice• The feeling behind the topic is what

makes it compelling and engaging for the reader.• Pieces that lack voice – voiceless writing – are lifeless

and mechanical. There is no attitude detected, no point of view reflected. These pieces are stale and boring.

• Voice is relevant in all types of writing.– In narrative writing, the honest and personal voice is what makes

the reader love/hate the characters.– In expository writing, the confident and authoritative voice makes

the reader listen and learn from the writer.– In persuasive writing, the passionate and committed voice sells the

reader on the writer’s point of view.

Quick Strategies for Voice1. A great way to add voice is to talk directly to your

audience! (Place what you want to say to your audience in parenthesis!)

• An “aside” makes your audience feel connected to your story and captures their attention causing them to want to read your story!

1:08 minutes

Quick Strategies for Voice2. Show your emotion or emphasize a

word or phrase by using all CAPS!

All of the lessons I have taught you are important if you want to be a successful seventh grader, but the best advice I can give you is ALWAYS TRY YOUR BEST! If you follow everything I taught you andthis advice, I am sure you will be successful in seventh grade (and justabout anything else you try).

Quick Strategies for Voice3. If it fits the tone/mood of your paper,

try using an ellipsis, hyphen, or a dash.

• Any type of unique punctuation will add some voice to your story!? Just make sure the punctuation fits what you are trying to say and get across to your audience.

“Spell it how it sounds,” the teacher stated. Well, “of” sounds like “ov”. So – that is how I spelled it. What a mistake that was… little did I know, but I would be handicapped in spelling for the rest of my life!

Quick Strategies for Voice4. Try underlining something for effect.

Are you sure you know how to behave like a proper eighthgrader? That’s what the next lesson is about – behavior! Here aresome things to remember: Don’t ever talk back to the teacher – that will certainly get you into trouble! Also, eighth grade teachers (and all other teachers for that matter) do NOT like it when students roll their eyes! If you want to make it through eighth grade,you will want to remember these tips because if you don’t… well, good luck in the principal’s office!

Which Letter has Voice• Dear Richard,Congratulations on yourunbroken record. Eightstraight losses, WOW! Iunderstand you’re thelaughing stock of NewJersey. Maybe you andyour team should take upknitting instead… Your former friend, Jimmy

• Dear Richard,So sorry to hear you lostagain. I believe thatmakes eight in a row. People are laughing at youguys. Maybe you shouldfind something else to doinstead. Sincerely, Jimmy

Using a Unique Point of View5. To spice up your writing…think about

writing from a unique point of view.• When writing, most students write

from an “expected” point of view.• For example, if you use this picture to inspire a

story, what about writing the story from the point of view of the dog’s glasses or book!?! What about a flea’s point of view?

This is fun spraying the dog! I think he really likes it! I think he needs more of that slimly stuff!! You know…it

makes that white stuff. I just know my dog thinks it is fun

to get a bath!

Stop washing me! I have had enough washing! After I’m

done getting my bath, I better get a bone, or even

better, I should get a steak ! Seriously, how much longer is this misery going to last?

Get this heavy dog off

me! What did you have to eat?! A cow or a

pig?! I am all wet from Mr. Piggy up there

splashing and all soapy! Wait till the next time he takes a bath! I will

be on vacation!

Point of View Activity• Write down what each animal is

thinking in the next series of three slides!

Catchy Titles6. To incorporate voice…

use a catchy title!• The title is your first impression, so make it

a good one!!!– Remember, the goal is to have your audience WANTING to read your

paper….and a catchy title is just the thing to peak their interest!– The catchy title can make your audience sit up and take

notice….putting them in a great frame of mind to read your paper!– Imagine the teacher sitting down to grade 160 papers. After reading

boring title after boring title, imagine how she would perk up if she all of a sudden read a catchy title like “Stealth” or “Mistletoe Monday” ….

Mrs. Katchie Label

Catchy Title Example

“Goldilocks and the Three Bears”

• “Intruder”• “Finding the Perfect Fit”• “Ah, Just Right”• “Alone in the Woods”

Take an already created title, and write a catchy title that could go with the story.

Title Options

Title Options Examples for “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”

Character’s Name Goldilocks and the Three BearsMain Idea Finding the Perfect FitLine from the text Ah! Just Right!Setting / Place Alone in the WoodsAction Break it, Eat it, Sleep on itOne Word IntruderObject The Porridge, Chair, and Bed

Catchy Title Activity

1. “Snow White”2. “Little Red Riding Hood”3. “Cinderella”4. “The Three Little Pigs”

For each title below, write a CATCHY title that could go with the story.

Title OptionsCharacter’s NameMain IdeaLine from the textSetting / PlaceActionOne WordObject

Creating Titles ActivityCreate a catchy title for each picture.

1. 2.

3. 4.

Worksheet Assignment• Create a “Day in the Life Of…”1. Add a CATCHY title.2. Write from a unique point of view.3. Try and use several of the below strategies.– Use ( ) Parenthesis… talk directly to the reader

– ALL CAPITAL LETTERS… to show emotion or emphasize

– Underline a word or phrase… to show emphasis

– Use a punctuation mark like the ellipsis or hyphen• Ellipsis = . . . • Hyphen/Dash = ----

DUE TOMORROWTry and write ONE page….that would mean you need to get at least ½ way down on the back side of the worksheet.

Don’t ForgetGreat Word

Choices!!