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WritingFix recommends the websites below, each maintained by teachers who generously share with fellow teachers


Corbett Harrison's Website



Dena Harrison's Website

Learning Is Messy
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Brian Crosby's
Blog and Website


The NNWP's website


NWP's Website

The Writing Traits: Voice
helping your students "go deep" with stylistic techniques during classroom writing instruction

The following introduction comes from the Northern Nevada Writing Project's Going Deep with 6 Trait Language Guide (click here for details on ordering this print resource):

Here’s one of my favorite “tricks” to do to teachers at a writing traits training. I like to read a great picture book that doesn’t have tons of voice going for it. To find one, I look for a book with fairly ordinary verbs and good-but-not-necessarily-great adjectives. Pattern books are good for this “trick.” My current favorite book to do this with is When I was Five… by Arthur Howard. Now don’t shoot me! I think it’s a great book. Notice that When I Was Five… was cited as a book with a great theme in the idea development section of our print guide. Not all books need to have voice to be considered great books.

Anyway, here’s what I do to “trick” them. I read the book aloud to the teachers attending the workshop, and I read it with the most passion I can muster. It’s not hard. You can read the phone book with voice, if you want to. We all laugh as I dance around excitedly, turning pages with dramatic pauses and flair, giving the illusion of voice to a book that has little. I ask teachers to talk and decide which of the 6 traits (other than conventions) this book excels with, and I find that most of them choose voice when I ask them to share.

Now at this point, before I can go any further, I have to apologize to the teachers for “tricking” them. No one likes to be tricked, and no one likes to be told they got the wrong answer, especially teachers. But I explain that my concern with the voice trait is this: a lot of us really don’t understand what it is. A lot of us are easily fooled by ridiculous actors (like myself) who try to make us hear “written voice” by speaking dramatically.

The trick with voice as a writing trait is that it is written, and that defies the logic of what we know about the word voice. To understand written voice, we need to practice spotting it without a skilled reader swaying our opinion.

Carol Harriman, one of my personal mentors, once told me this: “Voice is the easiest to spot in good writing and the hardest to teach a kid to have.” This is truer than true. Think about how we define voice to our students. I’ve heard it abstractly called “the personality of the paper,” “the fingerprint of the author,” and “the paper’s breath.”

How do you teach a kid to have a personality or a fingerprint? How do you find a paper’s breath and then decide if it’s pleasant or terrible?

Karen McGee, another of my mentors, gave me this piece of good advice: “You can’t teach a student to have voice. You can only provide your students with multiple opportunities to experiment with voice techniques in a non-threatening way. If students have opportunities to ‘try on’ someone else’s voice as part of a series of writing assignments, they’ll end up with a voice of their own. But voice can neither be rushed nor prescribed.” Because of Karen’s advice, I made sure my students had lots of opportunities to “play” with voice.

A few years back, a college writing teacher told me, “I wish they wouldn’t call the trait voice. I personally don’t feel comfortable assessing someone’s voice. I do feel comfortable assessing my students’ style and their techniques that promote style. But Voice…that’s too personal.” That comment has affected my explanation of voice ever since.

Here’s where I currently stand with the trait of voice. I’ll leave it to you—the reader—the shape your own philosophy of how to help students find a voice through their written words. Voice is often defined vaguely. Voice can’t be directly taught, but it can be played with. Voice is different from style, but stylistic techniques make us think about voice.

WritingFix's Voice Categories
WritingFix offers resources on the following for the trait of voice. Click a link below to see our entire collection of lessons and resources for each of these trait-based skills:

What is Voice?
A writer thinks about these bullets when working on the trait of voice:

  • The writing shows an awareness of an audience
  • The writer shows a passion towards the topic
  • The writer has used devices of style (such as figurative language), when appropriate
  • The writer has captured a tone or mood (including humor) with words, when appropriate
  • The writing shows awareness of perspective and point-of-view

Our Reckless Book Nook Suggestions: Teaching Voice Better

At WritingFix, we believe teachers should recklessly share classroom book titles with each other. That's right, we said recklessly.

At our website, to show what we mean by this, we offer what we believe to be a pretty excellent "Mentor Text" bibliography; ours is a great bibliography because it also contains links to free-to-use lessons and prompts inspired by the books we list. Click here (or on the picture at left) to access our growing on-line "Mentor Text" bibliography.

We also believe teachers should recklessly share professional books that inspire them to think deeper about the elements of better writing instruction. There exist an amazing number of books about teaching writing that are wonderful and useful. There exist quite a few that are trite, dry, and not-as-useful.

Below, we offer links to and information about professional books on teaching writing that we believe fit the former category, not the latter. These are books we use in our classrooms. We hope you find them as helpful as we have.

Ready to Use Classroom Tools and Ideas:

Author Nancy Dean: The lessons in Discovering Voice: Voice Lessons for Middle and High School on diction, detail, figurative language, imagery, syntax, and tone help students understand the concepts of voice in what they read and develop a strong, personal voice in their own writing.

Every voice lesson includes a quotation selected from a wide range of literature, two discussion questions, and an exercise that encourages students to practice what they have learned about the elements of voice.

Theory and Discourse:

Authors Teresa Grainger, Kathy Goouch, Andrew Lambirth: Arguing that children's creative use of their language is key to the development of their language and literacy skills, Creativity and Writing: Developing Voice and Verve in the Classroom focuses on the compositional process and children's own ideas. The authors examine the many voices that influence the inner and outer voice of the child, through reading, investigating, imagining, talking and taking part ion a range of engaging and inspiring activities.
Illustrated throughout with many examples of children's writing and drawing, and then with suggestions for classroom activities, this book is for any teacher looking to deepen their understanding of literacy theory and practice.

A Book-Nook suggestion from a WritingFix user: "I Am the Dog I Am the Cat is such a perfect and simple idea for a picture book that I have always been surprised that poet Donald Murray was never inspired to write a sequel to it. In this book, two opposite concepts (a Cat/a Dog) share monologues about similar topics both seem to know about, an each monologue shines in its own unique voice. Inspired by this beautifully illustrated book, my students love coming up with opposite topics (Sun/Moon, Winter/Summer, Light/Dark, Sweet/Sour) and then creating their own voice-filled picture books inspired by Murray's original. When this book comes out in paperback, I will be the first to buy ten classroom copies to pass among my children."

--T. Drake, Miami, Florida

(Ms. Drake chose a Writing Across the Curriculum Guide as her gift for sharing this blurb.)

A Book-Nook suggestion from a WritingFix user: "Dear Corbett, I was surprised to see that you haven't had anyone suggest Anthony Browne's Voices in the Park on your voice page yet, so allow me to be the first! I have a colleague who was bothered by this book's complete lack of plot, but I find it one of the most unique explorations of voice that I've ever come across. In this story, a simple and sweet encounter in the park is explored from four different perspectives. The voice for each perspective is easy to examine and discuss with students. Enjoy!"

--Terry Kramer, Phoenix, Arizona

(Terry chose a Going Deep with Compare and Contrast Thinking Guide as her gift for sharing this blurb.)

Join the WritingFix Book Nook! Earn a free classroom resource! Got a favorite book title for teaching conventions that fits either category above? WritingFix is looking for original 5- to 10-sentence reviews of books by teachers that we can post here on this page for others to benefit from. If we use your review, we will send you a complimentary guide from the NNWP's Publication Page! Contact us at BookNook@WritingFix.com if you have a review to share.

More from our Book Nook:
Below are three voice "mentor text" suggestions from the
WritingFix Website:
(Click the words lesson link after each suggestion below to access the lesson.)
More from our Book Nook:
Below are three voice "mentor text" suggestions from the
NNWP's Going Deep with 6 Trait Language Guide:
(Click here to find out how to order this awesome resource from the NNWP.)
1. Want a new picture book that you'll love reading out loud over and over again? Try our webmaster's favorite read aloud: The Web Files by Margie Palatini. Even if you can't do a very good Joe Friday (from Dragnet) or a halfway competent Jimmy Cagney (You dirty rat!), your students will get a huge kick while hearing you try. What's great about this text is that even if your kids are totally and completely unfamiliar with TV's Dragnet and the voice of hard-boiled detectives from film noir, this story will want to make them to tell a story from that type of person's point-of-view; in fact, that's the point of WritingFix's on-line assignment: narrate a funny mystery story with a no-nonsense detective voice. Click on this lesson link to see WritingFix's free-to-use lesson suggestion for this mentor text.

1. You can kill two birds with this excellently written "stone" by Marissa Moss: Amelia's Notebook. Amelia keeps a journal, and her voice (in this first book especially--she has a whole series now) is the voice of an authentic, real student in every elementary school out there. Not only is she a shining example of genuine and heartfelt voice, but she will also encourage your students to want to keep their own notebooks and journals that document their daily lives. Amelia takes on ordinary topics (school lunches, fingernails, friendships), and she documents them in a creative type of journaling that is easy to love and easy to imitate. Do yourself a favor, if you require journals from your students writers. Get a classroom copy of this book and read from it during the first few weeks of school. Your kids will become notebook keepers too!

2. Here's a book that not only has superb voice going for it, but its illustrations are hard to beat: Dear Mrs. La Rue: Letters From Obedience School by Mark Teague Ike (the dog) paints life in obedience school as a dismal existence, but the pictures tell a different story. Ike shows how carefully chosen words can persuade a reader to change his/her mind about a decision; his letters skillfully attempt to manipulate Mrs. LaRue to bring him home after some serious misbehavior. WritingFix's wonderful on-line assignment has student writers assume the narrative voice of something interesting (but unlikely)--like a dog in obedience school--then try to convince an audience to behave in a different way. This assignment is a great review of the friendly letter format and an even better exploration of persuasive voice techniques. Click on this lesson link to see WritingFix's free-to-use lesson suggestion for this mentor text.

2. The Going Deep with 6 Trait Language Guide suggests finding well-written books (for read-alouds and for other uses) that have unique types of narrators. You won't find too many narrators more unique than Jack Gantos' Joey Pigza in Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Joey is a very loveable though hyperactive little narrator who sometimes forgets to take his mood-controlling "meds." You can follow Joey's trouble-filled adventures and pretty much predict by Joey's changing voice when he's about to get in serious trouble with the adults who expect him to regulate his own medication, which he isn't very good at. This first book in the Joey Pigza series is a powerful example of a real narrator with real issues and with a real type of voice that can be talked about on so many levels. After sharing Joey Pigza, talk with your students about other unique voices that could tell interesting stories with first-person narration. A compulsive liar? A teacher who only speaks in monotone? A person who suffers from asthma? Joey's voice might inspire your students to think and write in a variety of voices.

3. Like his wonderful tale in No, David!, David Shannon's Good Boy, Fergus! tells a hysterical story that is riddled with voice through very few words. Fergus is a stubborn white west highland terrier with a mind of his own, and Fergus' owner's voice tells the story of this independent pet's daily adventures. After laughing and studying Shannon's use of both direct address and interjections, students will write a detail-filled story about an adventure with a pet, and they will interject their own snippets of voice throughout their original tales. Click on this lesson link to see WritingFix's free-to-use lesson suggestion for this mentor text. 3. Another of the suggestions found in the Going Deep with 6 Trait Language Guide is to show students how a voice can sound real and authentic through example, then challenge your students to explore their own personal stories with a voice that that is just as authentic and real. If Amelia's notebook (see #1 above) feels a little too "elementary" for your students, then definitely try out Jean Little's Hey World, Here I Am!. Here's a narrator (Kate) who shows both authentic style and genuine honesty as she write prose and poetry about the persons, places, and things that affect her perception of the world . Share this book (or segments from it) and ask your students to write about the personal stories that Kate's stories inspire from them. Challenge them to be just as authentic and honest.

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WritingFix's 6-Trait Poster Set

WritingFix's Trait Post-Its

Free Poster Resource for your Classroom:

The author’s VOICE—a.k.a. you!—should be present in every piece of writing you make. Sometimes your presence needs to be strong, but sometimes it should be kept subtle. How will you ensure that your reader recognizes this as your writing?

This set of seven posters was created collectively by Dena Harrison, Mary Dunton, Nancy Thomas, Corbett Harrison, and Vivian Olds of the Northern Nevada Writing Project.

WritingFix offers a free template of Voice Post-It sized notes. These can either be printed on yellow colored paper and cut out and stapled to students' drafts, or you can--if you dare--attempt to print them on real 3 x 3 Post-It Notes.

These Post-It Notes were created by Corbett Harrison of the Northern Nevada Writing Project

  • Click here to open and print WritingFix's 7-page poster set, inspired by our "Building a House" metaphor.
  • Click here to open and print a sheet of six voice revision post-its.
  • Click here to visit WritingFix's Post-It homepage, where you can find instruction on printing our post-its on actual Post-It notes.

Imitating Real-World Voice

Webmaster's favorite imitating real-world voice resource:

The Emotional Recipe and Cookbook:
inspired by the format of recipes.

Recipes have a distinct voice.

My friend and mentor, Sue Martin, introduced the idea of making recipes for anything when we both taught creative writing years ago. I've never let go of that idea, and I'm always amazed what students can create with this idea.

The emotional recipe remains my favorite recipe imitation assignment. Click on the title or the book cover to access the entire assignment.

Everyone has a unique voice. So too does every written thing.

A dictionary entry has a voice (or style) that's different than the voice (or style) of a lost and found ad. An office memo has a different voice than a set of technical directions. A resume's voice differs from the voice of the words found on a driver's license.

One way to help students discover their own voices is to have them playfully discover different voices in writing they've seen before but never analyzed for voice. The lessons and prompts in this section are all based on this idea.

Right-Brained Writing Prompts:

Left-Brained Writing Prompts:

Picture Book Inspired Lessons:

Chapter Book Inspired Lessons:

Poetry & Lyric Inspired Lessons:

  • In Fall of 2008, we will be launching a new collection of poetry and lyric-inspired writing prompts. Check back with us soon.

Literature Inspired Lessons:

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Writing from a Different Perspective

How did Will Rogers say it? You don't really know a person until you walk around in his shoes for a day?

A great exercise for students who are still discovering their own voices is to allow them to write from another's point-of-view. Discoveries about voice are often made when "walking" with someone else's. This section's lessons and prompts all challenge writers to think outside themselves.

Webmaster's favorite different perspective resource:

So Much Depends Upon...poems:
inspired by Sharon Creech's chapter book Love That Dog.

First, this is a great lesson because students are imitating a great poet (W. C. Williams) as their pre-write; but then, they have to invent a character who might have written the poems they create and tell a longer story. Click on the title or the book cover to access the entire lesson.

Right-Brained Writing Prompts:

Left-Brained Writing Prompts:

Picture Book Inspired Lessons:

Chapter Book Inspired Lessons:

Poetry & Lyric Inspired Lessons:

  • In Fall of 2008, we will be launching a new collection of poetry and lyric-inspired writing prompts. Check back with us soon.

Literature Inspired Lessons:

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Conveying Emotion or Passion with Words

Having emotion and passion is easy. Conveying one or the other with written words is not.

When a reader understands and connects with an author's feelings, something extraordinary has happened. Achieving it with your own written words takes practice. The prompts and resources in this section invite writers to try.

Webmaster's favorite emotion & passion resource:

Giving Voice to Opposites:
inspired by Donald Hall's picture book
I Am the Dog I Am the Cat.

This voice lesson not only has student writers writing from two opposite perspectives, but it also has students attempting to convey a different emotion through the opposites. Click on the title or the image above to access the entire lesson and all its resources.

Right-Brained Writing Prompts:

Left-Brained Writing Prompts:

Picture Book Inspired Lessons:

Chapter Book Inspired Lessons:

Poetry & Lyric Inspired Lessons:

  • In Fall of 2008, we will be launching a new collection of poetry and lyric-inspired writing prompts. Check back with us soon.

Literature Inspired Lessons:

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Capturing Mood and Tone with Words :

Webmaster's favorite mood and tone resource:

Start with What Isn't There:
inspired by Stephen Kramer's non-fiction picture book Caves.

You've probably never heard of this book or this author, but trust me, get yourself a classroom copy and celebrate the mood-inducing two-page introduction. If you don't feel cold when you read Kramer's beautiful description of a cave, then you probably read his words carelessly. Kramer has style!

Then challenge your students to use Kramer's techniques to apply mood to a setting of their choice. Click on the title or the image above to access the entire lesson and its resources.

When writing has mood, the reader feels something because the author has consciously made this happen.

When writing has tone, the reader understands how the author feels about the topic...because the author wants the reader to achieve this understanding.

This section of lessons and prompts helps writers deliberately add mood or tone to their stories and poems.

Right-Brained Writing Prompts:

  • Serendipitous Moods and People (undergoing revision)
  • Serendipitous Moods and Places (undergoing revision)
  • Serendipitous Moods and Things (undergoing revision)

Left-Brained Writing Prompts:

Picture Book Inspired Lessons:

  • Imaginary Places and Moods: inspired by Alice McLerran's picture book Roxaboxen. (undergoing revision)

Chapter Book Inspired Lessons:

Poetry & Lyric Inspired Lessons:

Literature Inspired Lessons:

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Using Figurative Language for Voice

Figurative language used badly takes away from the author's voice. There's nothing worse than a forced simile, right? It's as bad as a typhoon, right?

Figurative language that sounds natural is what the lessons and prompts in this section encourage.

Webmaster's favorite figurative language resource:

We are in the process of gathering and creating on-line prompts and lessons that showcase the use of figurative language in a seamless way.

By September of 2008, we expect to have a dozen new lessons and resources posted here. Keep checking back with us.

Right-Brained Writing Prompts:

Left-Brained Writing Prompts:

Picture Book Inspired Lessons:

  • Superlatives for Voice: inspired by Barbara M. Joosse's picture book I Love You the Purplest. (undergoing revision)

Chapter Book Inspired Lessons:

Poetry & Lyric Inspired Lessons:

  • In Fall of 2008, we will be launching a new collection of poetry and lyric-inspired writing prompts. Check back with us soon.

Literature Inspired Lessons:

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Persuading and Becoming More Aware of Audience

Webmaster's favorite persuasive voice prompt:

I Wanna [Something]:
inspired by Karen Kaufmann Orloff's picture book
I Wanna Iguana.

Teaching friendly letters? Or do your students need a fun review of that format of writing?

Orloff's picture book showcases a charming exchange of friendly letter between boy and mom, and the exchange can be imitated between students, or between students and their parents. Click on the title of the picture to access the entire lesson and its resources.

At what age do we learn to beg? At what age do we learn that persuasive voice is just a more-controlled form of begging? Sort of...

The lessons and prompts in this section ask student writers to explore persuasive techniques and to try them out with writing.

Right-Brained Writing Prompts:

Left-Brained Writing Prompts:

Picture Book Inspired Lessons:

Chapter Book Inspired Lessons:

Poetry & Lyric Inspired Lessons:

  • In Fall of 2008, we will be launching a new collection of poetry and lyric-inspired writing prompts. Check back with us soon.

Literature Inspired Lessons:

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