Teachers like to write comments about "voice" on students’ writing. “Voice” in writing is very tricky. It is very difficult to define, let alone teach. Because the concept of voice is so slippery, I like to approach it with a more accessible concept called tone. A writer’s tone shows his attitude toward the subject. Academic writing shouldn’t be void of emotion or “just the facts ma’am.” Academic essay writing is editorial by nature; it is analytical which means it is the personal ideas of the writer. Therefore, voice, or tone, is appropriate and wanted. One caution: a writer's voice/tone should never overshadow his ideas or distract the reader from understanding the key points.

A good writer must make choices. And his choices always indicate his opinions on what is important and relevant. For essay writing, tone is best established in the words the writer chooses, his sentence structure, and the writer’s language.

1. Word Choice: This tells a lot about the writer and can help the reader understand how he feels about his topic. I always use the example of Thin-Skinny-Slender. The dictionary definition of “thin” is something relating to the slightly below average weight and non-obese appearance of a person or thing. Then I ask my students if they would rather be described as “skinny” or “slender”. Slender always wins because it doesn’t have negative vibes (connotations) to it. Skinny doesn’t sound appealing at all. So if a writer describes someone or something as “skinny” we know he does not have a good opinion of it. Choosing negatively or positively charged words adds a lot of voice to a student’s writing.

2. Sentence Structure: An advanced writer will vary his sentence structure. Some sentences may be short, while others are more complex. I always think it is interesting when a student decides to use an unusually short sentence, for effect. Two-word sentences (ie ~ She died. He arrived. It doesn't.) can speak volumes and show that the writer has a command of his ideas and his writing. And, because it stands out, it provides voice, an impact the writer wants to have on the reader. This can be done in any type of essay, from literary analysis to argumentation. However, too many short sentences lose their effect and may indicate a deficiency in a writer's skills. If you see a short sentence in your child's writing, make sure he has a reason for including it.

3. Language: This is very important. Teachers expect a certain amount of formality in their students' writing. Students should always follow any guidelines mandated by the teacher. However, some students feel they have to use "big" words in order to sound smart. So not the case! A writer's language can be appropriate while remaining true to the writer. Just like sentence structure, a few well placed "conversation-like" sentences or phrases can really add a lot of voice to one's writing. Again, it must be intentional and serve a purpose.