6 Traits of Writing

1. 6 Traits of Writing Voice

2. Writing with a good voice is: • Appealing, enticing, and engaging. • Hard to put down. • Something easy and enjoyable to read aloud. • Individual and unique – reflects the attitude of the writer. • Confident and energetic. • Supportive of the topic, purpose, and audience.

3. 6 Tips for Success in Voice • Be yourself – your writing should reflect your personality. • Match the voice to the purpose – a mystery told around a campfire has a different voice than a letter to the president. • Know your audience – write to them. • Care about your writing – If you’re not interested in your topic, why should your reader care? Write as if your topic is the most fascinating subject in the world! • Know your topic – do your research. Knowledge promotes confidence. • Think of everything as a letter – almost nothing matches the voice of a good letter.

4. Which has a stronger voice? • I went to the movies with my uncle. He has a dog. We had fun. The movie was OK. I forget the name of it. • I would love going to the movies with Uncle Bill except for Buster. Buster is Uncle Bill’s black, curly haired dog. He has never in his whole life had a bath, and he reeks. He sits in the back seat, props himself up, and licks my ears. This makes my ears smell like Buster’s breath. He drools on the seats and it gets pretty gooey! He howls along with the radio, too. Uncle Bill keeps right on talking, but I never hear a single thing he says. The best thing about the movie “Stuart Little” was that Buster had to stay in the car!