Discovering Voice
Mr. Yorke
Teacher Consultant - NVWP
What is voice?
Voice is created through conscious choices.
As a writer, you purposefully choose your tools.
Self Portrait with Brushes, otherwise known as Autoportrait, is one of the more
important Marc Chagall paintings because it gives us a glimpse of the artist
through his own eyes. This communicates more about him than any biography
ever could. The way an artist sees himself is often a window straight to his
soul, and Chagall’s image of himself in Autoportrait is no exception.
Self Image
The fact that Chagall chose to paint himself in the profile view speaks of his
(low) self-esteem, as the profile shows less of his face. It also serves to give
him an intense and passionate appearance, which certainly mimics his work.
Style
Autoportrait, though completed in 1965, appears to show a younger Chagall,
but the style of the painting is definitely from later in his career. Note the
complex brush techniques, especially in the area of his suit and its lapels.
Unlike earlier Marc Chagall paintings, this painting seems more focused and
less far-fetched than some of his earlier works.
Purpose
One of the less subtle, but often overlooked aspects of Autoportrait is the fact
that Chagall is shown doing what he loves, painting. He could have chosen any
number of settings to immortalize himself in, but he chose the one thing that
he was most passionate about. The purpose of Autoportrait was to make
Chagall synonymous with his paintings. Not too many people want to be
remembered primarily by what they did to earn a living; but for Chagall it was
so much more than that, it was a way of life.
Debussy
Clair de Lune
http://www.1stpiano.com/clair-de-lune/
As you consider the conscious choices writer’s make,
ask yourself some fundamental questions:
1. What is he/she (or the work) saying?(What does the
work mean?)
2. How do you know? (What evidence can you find in
the work to determine meaning?)
3. How does he/she do that? (What tools does the
writer use to create meaning and how does he/she
use these tools?)
Voice in Reading/Writing
The little fish swam upstream and died.
Think about this carefully. Is this sentence sad? (This is a
rhetorical question.)
Don’t focus on the idea of a dying fish. Instead, focus on
the sentence itself and the effect it produces.
Does the sentence make you feel sad, or like crying,
when you read it? Why or why not? (Again, a rhetorical question.)
The little fish swam upstream and died.
Most people will agree that the sentence is not very
sad. Why? (This is NOT a rhetorical question. Fire away!)
What specific characteristics in the sentence keep it
from being sad? (Again, NOT a rhetorical question. Respond and save me!)
As you identify these characteristics, you are beginning
to look at the tools writers have to choose from as they
create voice.
Your Turn
Write a sad version of the sentence, The little fish swam
upstream and died.
What did you do to make it sad? In other words, what
conscious choices did you make?
As you make this sentence sad, you are on your way to
using voice in your writing.
Elements of Voice
Writing with a clear voice doesn’t just happen;
it requires conscious choices.
• figurative language
• imagery
• details
• diction
• syntax
• tone
Poetry Analysis
• “Abandoned Farmhouse” by Ted
Kooser.
• what elements of voice can you
identify in this poem?
Advertising
Sales Flyer
Catalog
Internet
MIHARA MY-9 LOVE (PUMA – WOMEN’S)
Color: Camouflage
Price: $180.00
Launched as MY-9 LOW for the first time in
Spring-Summer 04 the MY-9 LOVE is a very
special re-edition offered exclusively to DC 6. It
features a special execution camouflage pattern
upper with flower print and embroidery. Its ironic
soul is unmistakably “Mihara”. Inspired by past
Puma short track trainers made for runners in
West Germany this re-edition style merges the MY
‘egg sole’ with the design of a past model. Mihara
has always felt that expressing his feelings about
the future is more important than denying the past.
Staying true to this motto he designed this model
combining the past and the future in contrast.
What elements of voice
can you identify in these advertisements?
Printed and embroidered full grain upper, textile lining
and moulded PU outsole.
Your Turn:
Advertising Guru
Remove one of your shoes.
Using the elements of voice (diction, detail, figurative
language, imagery, syntax, tone), craft an ad to sell your
footwear. Be ready to share!
How does this all translate to college admission essays?
Are there any corollaries?
Tying Up Loose Ends
• Read sample student college admission
essay.
• Begin brain dumping...what unique
stories do you have to tell?
College Board
•Keep Your Focus Narrow and Personal
•Prove It
•Be Specific
• Http://www.collegeboard.com/student/a
pply/essay-skills/9406.html
FASHION AS A METAPHOR
FOR STYLE
One way to introduce literary
style to students is to think about
fashion styles and how we dress
differently for different
situations.
Formal, fussy, dressy, layered
jolting juxtapositions
Business casual /preppie…or self
centered nihilism
Casual Chic: appearance is spare and
lean yet ripe with elegant padding
.
Sloppy: rejection of vanity, comfort…
Urban or (Street Lit)
Harsh Reality
Archaic: inverted language,
periodic sentences
Archaic: embedded clauses
Credits
• Dean, Nancy. Discovering Voice: Voice
Lessons for Middle and High School
• Advertisements: JC Penny, Land’s End,
Puma
THANKS for your ATTENTION!