Welcome to Voice, Audience, and Purpose!
Have you ever noticed how you talk differently to your best friend than you do to your school principal? Or how a comic book feels very different from a set of instructions for a board game? That is because of voice, audience, and purpose!
In this chapter, we are going to explore how to become a "writing shapeshifter." You will learn how to change your writing style so that it fits exactly what you want to say and who you are saying it to. This is a big part of the writing craft!
1. Purpose: Why are you writing?
Before you even pick up a pencil or start typing, you need to ask yourself: "What is my goal?" This is your purpose. In the PYP, we look at many different reasons for writing. Most writing fits into one of these categories:
To Persuade: You want to convince someone to agree with your idea. Example: Writing a letter to ask for a longer recess.
To Inform: You want to give facts and teach someone about a topic. Example: A report about how rain forests work.
To Entertain: You want the reader to enjoy themselves. Example: A funny story about a talking cat.
To Instruct: You want to show someone how to do something step-by-step. Example: A recipe for making delicious pancakes.
Quick Tip: The "P.I.E." Memory Aid
To remember the main purposes, just think of a P.I.E.:
P — Persuade
I — Inform
E — Entertain
Key Takeaway: Knowing your purpose helps you choose the right "shape" or structure for your writing. (For more on how to organize these shapes, check out the chapter on Organizing ideas and paragraphing).
2. Audience: Who are you writing for?
The audience is the person or group of people who will read your work. Your writing should change depending on who they are. If you ignore your audience, they might get bored, confused, or even offended!
When thinking about your audience, ask yourself:
1. How much do they already know about this topic?
2. What kind of words will they understand?
3. What will make them stay interested?
Example: Imagine you are writing about a new video game.
If your audience is a 5-year-old: You would use simple words and focus on the fun colors.
If your audience is a professional game designer: You might use technical words about coding and graphics.
Did you know? Using the right vocabulary and supporting details helps you "hook" your specific audience and keep them reading from start to finish!
Key Takeaway: Great writers always keep their readers in mind. They adapt their language so it is "just right" for the person reading it.
3. Voice: The "You" in your writing
Your voice is what makes your writing sound like you. It is your unique personality coming through on the page. Just like your physical voice has a certain tone, your writing voice shows your feelings and attitudes.
Developing your personal voice:
As you grow as a writer, you will start to write more independently. You will choose words that show how you feel. Your voice can be:
- Funny and lighthearted
- Serious and formal
- Excited and energetic
- Calm and thoughtful
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Finding your voice takes practice. A good way to start is to "write how you speak" (at first) and then edit it to make it stronger. (We will learn more about fixing up your work in the Drafting, editing and revising chapter).
Key Takeaway: Voice is the "flavor" of your writing. It is what makes your work different from everyone else’s, even if you are all writing about the same thing.
Summary Checklist
When you start a new piece of writing, try this quick review to make sure you are on the right track:
- Purpose: Do I know if I am trying to persuade, inform, entertain, or instruct?
- Audience: Do I know who is reading this? Is my language right for them?
- Voice: Does this sound like me? Does the "feeling" of the writing match my goal?
Remember: Writing is a process! By thinking about these three things, you are taking the first steps to becoming a confident and powerful author.