Voice
5 Paper - Really Individual and Powerful
My paper has lots of personality. It sounds different from the way anyone else writes.
- I have put my personal stamp on this paper; it's really me!
- Readers can tell that I am talking right to them.
- I write with confidence and sincerity.
- My paper is full of feelings, and my reader will feel what I feel.
- I'm not afraid to say what I really think.
- You can tell that I wrote this. No one else sounds like this!
3 Paper - Individuality Fades In and Out
What I truly think and feel only shows up sometimes.
- Although readers will understand what I mean, it won't make them feel like laughing, crying, or pounding on the table.
- My writing is right on the edge of being funny, excited, scary, or downright honest - but it's not there yet.
- My personality peeks through here and there, but then gets covered up again.
- My writing is pleasant, but a little cautious.
- I've done a lot of telling and not enough showing.
1 Paper - Not Me Yet
I'm not comfortable sharing what I truly think and feel yet.
- If you didn't already know, it might be hard to tell who wrote this paper; you can't really hear my voice in there yet.
- I'm not comfortable taking a risk by telling you what I really think - I've taken the safest route by hiding my true feelings.
- My paper is all telling and no showing at all.
- I've held myself back by using general statements like "It was fun." "She was nice." "I like him a lot."
From The Student Friendly Guide to Writing with Traits by Vicki Spandel and Ruth Culham (503) 275-9500.