TRAIT PRACTICE VOICE PRACTICE FOR: Using voice in your writing
Directions:Readthefollowingparagraphsandanswerthe questionsonthenextpageconcerningthewritingtraitvoice. Story#1 WhenIhitmynewschoolonthefirstday,IknewIwasintrouble.Ithadsoundedokay whenmomanddadtoldmeaboutit,butiguessishouldhavebeensuspicious.whatdo parentsknow?anyhow,therewasnotimeformetovisittheplaceaheadoftimebecause Dad stransfercamethroughinlateaugust.sothereiwas.iclimbedalotofdumbmarble steps,andnoneoftheturkeyssittingonthemgotoutofmyway,soijustshovedmyway throughtotheoffice.theresatsomebig,fatdamewithasillygrin,askingifshecouldhelpme. Shehadfuzzyhairandapinkdress.Pink,Itellyou.WhenIhandedovermyfolderfrommyold school,shekeptmewaitingwhileshelookedthroughit.ifeltliketellinghermyoldmanwas thenewmanageroutatthekempoplant.butididn t.she llfindout.ithoughttomyself,i wassomebodyattheschoolihadcomefrom,andiwillbesomebodyheretoo. Story#2 WhenIarrivedatmynewschoolonthefirstday,Ifeltbewildered.Iwishedthatmy father stransferhadcomethroughearliersothaticouldhavevisitedtheschoolbeforeit began.still,motheranddaddytoldmeitlookedlikeagoodschool,andthey reoftenright, eventhoughidon talwaysliketoadmitit.atfirst,whenisawallthekidsonthestepsoutside, IthoughtIwouldneverbeabletomovemywaythrough.ButwhenI dexcusemyselfafew times,irealizedeveryonewassmiling,andiwasevenabletosmileback.intheofficeaplump, prettyladywithcurlyhairandapinkdresssmiledatmeandputoutherhandformyfolder. Whileshelookedthroughit,Ihadtimetostudythetrophycasesandpicturesofalltheteams. Theschoolwasbeginningtoseemlikeagoodplacetobe.
Directions:Answerthefollowingquestionsafteryourhave readstory#1andstory#2. 1. Describethepersoninstory#1.(e.g.his/herpersonality,feelingsetc ) 2. Describethepersoninstory#2.(e.g.his/herpersonality,feelingsetc ) 3. Whatwordsmakeyoufeelthatthewriterwasangryin#1? 4. Howdoesthechoiceofslangmakewriter#1differentfromwriter#2? 5. Whatemotionsdidyoufeelforwriter#1? 6. Whatemotionsdidyoufeelforwriter#2?
Voice Activity Read the following story called, The Dog that Died. Jot down whatever feelings come into your mind as you read the story. The Dog that Died When we came back from our vacation, our dog was still at the vet. We called the vet to see if we could pick him up. The man at the vet said our dog was in the animal hospital. We went there. The man at the animal hospital said they would have to put him to sleep. We could not watch them do it. We buried him in our backyard. What did you think of this story? Now read a second version of the story. Upon completion, write down your responses. Compare the two writings. I Remember Barbetta When I was six years old, I had a dog, a brave dog named Barbetta. I loved her almost as much as I loved my parents. One morning I decided we should go out in the snow. My father got the sled and I woke Barbetta. She licked me and I hugged and kissed her. She put out her paw to shake my hand when she saw the snow. I gave her the rope in her teeth. She waited for me when I was getting on the sled. She went slowly as she pulled and I picked up snowballs along the way. A few months later it was summer again. Barbetta loved the sun. We went outside. I got my wagon and she jumped into it. I took her up and down the block. Then it was my turn. We played King. I was the king and she was my private guard. Then we went inside. The next day, we went into the pool. Barbetta hated the water, but she liked splashing water on me.
OnenightIheardwhiningandhowling.IwentdownstairsandsawBarbettacrying.We werefacetoface.iwasabouttocry.icouldnotholditin.ihuggedandkissedher.shewas hurt.icalledmyparents.theytoldmetogoupstairs.ihidinthepillow.thiswasoneofthe saddestdaysinmylife.ithoughtshewasgoingtostayalivebecauseshewasbraveandshe alsohadmylove.thenextmorningmymothercametomyroomwithasadface.shesaidina softvoice, Barbettadidnotmakeit. Sheturnedandwalkedoutofmyroom. Whatdidyouthinkofthisversion? Comparethetwostories.Whatdotheytellyouaboutvoice?Couldyoumakethispieceeven better? FromLucyMcCormickCalkins,The Art of Teaching Writing. VoiceActivity Whilereadingthefollowingstory,thinkaboutthevoiceinthestory. MyGrandma Ilovemygrandma.SheissixtynineandlivesinBeavertonwithherthreecatsandtwo goldfish.shecooksreallywellforme.myfavoritedessertsareherchocolatepieandsugar cookies.iliketoeatthemstraightfromtheoven. Grandmaisnice.Shelovesme.Shedoesmyhomework.Shesticksupforme.Shetells kidsnottoteaseme.shegivesmepresents.shegoesshoppingwithmeandbuysmeshoes. Sheevenletsmepickthemout!Sheisspecial. Sheisthebestgrandmaever.Sheisthecoolestandthebest! Directions:Rewritethestoryusingmorevoice.Trytoincorporateyourownthoughtsand feelingsaboutyourgrandma.