The 6 Writing Traits: Voice

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What is Voice?

Voice shows the writer's personality. The writing has a sound that is different from everyone else's. It contains feelings and emotions so that it does not sound like an encyclopedia article. The reader should be able to sense the sincerity and honesty of the writer. The writer should be writing from the heart. The language should bring the topic to life for the reader. The voice should be appropriate for the topic, purpose, and audience of the paper.

When writing for Voice, a writer should do the following:

ü Write honestly and from the heart

ü Share his/her feelings about the topic

ü Speak directly to the reader (without using YOU)

ü Use language that bring the topic to life for the reader

ü Care about what he/she was written

ü Write to be read

ü Use more expression than what is in an encyclopedia article

ü Give the reader a sense of the person behind the words

ü Connect with the reader

Voice Rubric

Rating of 5 (Strong):

The paper shows the writer's personality. The writer has written the paper to be read, not just as an assignment. There is a connection between the writer and the reader.

v The paper is honest and sincere; it is written from the heart.

v The language helps the reader "see" what is happening in the writing.

v The writer shows his/her feelings and emotions in the paper.

v The writer cares about the topic.

v The reader gets a real sense of humor, sadness, happiness, suspense, excitement, etc. from the writing.

Rating of 3 (Developing):

The paper has some personality, but the reader has a hard time connecting with the writer. The writing may sound familiar, not really new or unique.

v The paper has some moments of honesty and sincerity.

v The voice may be strong on occasion, then hide behind general language that isn't very specific.

v The writing hides as much of the writer's personality as it shows.

v The writer seems afraid to show how he/she really feels.

v The reader only sometimes gets a sense of humor, sadness, happiness, suspense, excitement, etc. from the writing.

Rating of 1 (Weak):

The paper has no personality. It sounds like an encyclopedia article, with only the facts. The writer seems to have no feelings about the topic.

v The reader cannot sense any sincerity or honesty in the paper.

v The reader has no connection to the writer.

v The writing is not very exciting throughout most of the paper. There are no highs or lows.

v The writing is purely factual and does not cause the reader to feel anything about the topic.

v The writer doesn't seem to care about the topic at all.