The Writer's Voice

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Voice as "Mask"

The writer's "voice" is the writer's mask that he projects to his reader(s). It is the "personality" or character of the writer that readers perceive in a written work. Another way of defining the writer's voice is to identify the role the writer seems to be serving through his creation.

An examination of our masks might better help explain the function and character of voice in written work. Each of us projects various masks. We don't act the same way in one group of friends in the same way we act or present ourselves on the job or in a group of strangers. We are well-practiced in projecting many masks to suit what we perceive are the demands of the occasion.

Just as we project various masks, we orchestrate them in many different ways. The clothes we wear, our tone of voice, body language that reflects our attitudes and moods--these are just some of the means by which we construct our many masks.

Style: The Key to a Writer's Voice

But a writer is highly limited in the techniques that are open to him in establishing a voice. In fact, the only element open to a writer in developing his or her mask or "voice" is style. Basically, style refers to two elements: choice of words (diction) and choice of sentence patterns (syntax). Through diction and syntax a writer develops a voice through which he or she conveys the message of the text. Just how well the reading audience understands and accepts that message is due solely to the voice through which that message is delivered.

Personal Voice

"Personal voice" refers to that "image" of yourself you pro-ject when trying to communicate openly and honestly with someone. Its style is natural and perhaps a little conversational (colloquial). While it is confidently persuasive, it is void of overbearing authority and pretentiousness. That is, it doesn't call excessive attention to itself through overuse of first person or patronize its audience by making demands through inappropriate use of imperative mood. It escapes pretentiousness by avoiding stilted, erudite terms, foreign verbal droppings, and highly specialized jargon. This is to say that "personal voice" isn't overdrawn, affected, or "pretty." Rather, it communicates clearly and directly, is coherent in its purpose and always respectful of its audience.

Some Elements of Voice

Following is a list of factors that help influence or deter-mine the character of a writer's voice:

1. use of person (first or third)
2. level of formality (colloquial-jargon-standard-formal)
3. degree of emotional involvement with the subject
4. degree of intellectual development of subject
5. point of view, position
6. role (reporter, interpreter, critic, etc.; see below)
7. mode of development (experiential or explanatory)
8. attitude (supportive, objective, derogatory)
9. purpose (inform, persuade, entertain, explore)
10. persuasive style (forthright and open/misleading and secretive)

And there are others.

Together, these factors are reflected in the writer's style: his diction and syntax. Through the careful use of these elements, a writer establishes the credibility of his product--the essay, the letter, the drama, the editorial, the sermon, the familiar speech, or whatever. Through these elements an effective, practiced writer "sells his product," persuades his audience to accept his message as reliable, authentic, and sufficient.

Your ability to analyze the features of a writer's voice determines the degree to which you will understand and incorporate anything that you read. To the extent that you become increasingly aware of each of these elements as you write for a specific audience is the extent to which you will continue to grow as an effective communicator.

The Progressive Roles of Voice

Negative Critic (The "Scourge")

Reporter Interpreter

Positive Critic (The "Priest")

Reporter: presents the facts (example: "The President was frowning when he walked back to his limosine.")

Interpreter: interprets the facts (example: "The President's frown suggests that no agreement was reached.")

Critic: makes a value judgment (positive or negative)

negative example: "If the President can't come to an agreement with our adversaries, we need a new President."

positive example: "The President has demonstrated again that he will not be bullied. We should re-elect him to a second term."

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An Analysis of Voice in Expository Writing

For an interesting exercise in analyzing voice, read the five office memoranda below, each addressing the need to replace several computer systems. Put yourself in the position of the recipient of these "requests." How would you react?  What attributes are projected in each?  To which memoranda would you respond favorably? disfavorably and why?

Example 1

To: Joyce Burton
From: Fred Ustace
Date: September 23, 1987

RE: Purchase of Equipment

Since the instructional staff has lost the use of two of the three circulating computers this semester, many of our instructional and development projects have been interrupted, not to mention our inability to revise course materials. We wait now for a week or two in order to gain access to the one word processor we have left. I think you can understand the anxiety in the Communications Division among the four of us who depend daily upon some time at the computer.

I understand that reserve funds for equipment purchases this fall may be allocated to Media. I hope you will consider our predicament as you develop your proposal. We need some relief.

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Example 2

To: The Media Coordinator
From: Ted Smith
Date: September 23, 1987

RE: Purchase of Media Equipment

The loss of two circulating computers in the Media Center has compounded the load on the one computer in the Communications Division. I hereby request your purchase of three Compaq computers, one of which should be allocated exclusively for use by the Communications Division and its departments on a time-share basis.

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Example 3

To: Joyce Burton
From: Jan Watson
Date: September 23, 1987

RE: Support for the Communications Division

I know from what I have heard from the Vice President that we have a problem coming on-line with the District-wide computer program and that two of our circulating computers have had to be reassigned temporarily. Of course, sensitive as you are, I am sure you are aware of the problems this has created for many of us depending on computer access.

Joyce, consider the purchase of two more portable units if your budget will permit it. We need those computers immediately just to meet our present needs. With the additional lab going into the LRC this spring, we will probably need two more units just to accommodate anticipated needs for instructional use alone.

You are always conscious of our needs in Communications, often before we have defined them clearly for ourselves. I know that you will give this request your full consideration. You can reach me at my extension 2384 any afternoon after 1:00 p.m. if you need further information.

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Example 4

To: Joyce Burton
From: George St. John
Date: September 23, 1987

Re: Some Relief!

You people insisted as late as last April we weren't going to have any problems, and three weeks into the term where are we? I'll tell you where we are: two $900-a-month secretaries are squatting on top of two of the three computers you guys swore up and down would never be ripped off by Administration. Who's in charge down there? Maybe your LRC secretaries would like to come teach my classes and explain why I can't give them updated materials, revise the syllabus, explain why I can't even keep office hours in the afternoon because I'm in a cock fight in the Division Office, trying to squeeze in even thirty minutes on the Division computer.

Rumor has it you have some left over dinero. I think you know where you can put it! Get my drift?

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Example 5

To: Mrs. Joyce Burton
From: Ray Prior
Date: September 23, 1987

RE: Pruchase of Computers

Is it true tht we are down to just one computer that we can check out any longer. It tht's th e case, some of us are really going to feel the pinch. I need to use th e computers at least three or four hours each week for couse preparation. I hope you can find some monies that will help us.

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This page was last modified on September 13, 2011,
and is maintained by Dr. Geoffrey Grimes.