WarmUp 1 Voice in Writing What does VOICE

Warm-Up #1: Voice in Writing • • • What does VOICE mean to you? Writing with a clear voice does not just happen, it requires conscious choices. It is these choices that create voice: • • • Diction (Word Choice) Details Figurative Language Imagery Tone

Let’s start with a simple sentence. • • The little pink fish swam upstream and died. What is the tone of this sentence? Don’t focus on the idea of a dying fish, but focus on the sentence itself and the effect it produces. How does the sentence make you feel when you read it?

Read and Think • • • Most people will agree that the sentence is not extremely sad. Why? What specific characteristics in the sentence keep it from being sad? As you identify these characteristics, you are beginning to look at the TOOLS writers have to choose from as they create voice.

Your Turn… • • Write a sad version of the sentence, The little pink fish swam upstream and died. What conscious choices did you make? Student Example: The small brown fish was wafted downstream, awaiting an inevitable demise. Now you are on your way to using voice in your writing.

Artifact Writing • • • Now, it is time to get those creative juices flowing. Remember your voice. Choose an artifact from the table. Focus on the type of person who has this artifact. List 10 Details about your character (Positive or Negative). Give your character a Problem. Bring your character to life through a story or poem.