Goals for the Class
This course is designed to help you further develop the writing and research skills you learned in Composition I and II.
· To become a more effective, self-confident and self-conscious writer
· To overcome the tensions that come when it’s time to write
· To learn how or to become more comfortable with expressing your ideas
· To find and use your voice (Plagiarism is a no-no)
Finding your Voice
The human voice is the one instrument we all play. It’s the most powerful sound in the world. Our voice is the one thing that can start a war or bring peace. And, yet, we are still under the opinion that when we speak people don’t listen to us.
Why is that?
How can we change that?
What can we do to speak powerfully enough to make change in the world?
Writing requires that you find and use your voice! To do that there are some things to avoid.
· Gossip – speaking ill of someone
· Judging – it’s hard to listen to someone and you know they’re judging you
· Negativity – people who are always complaining
· Excuses – people who constantly blame somebody else; never take responsibility for their own actions
· Exaggeration – usually considered a form of lying – any half-truth is a whole lie
· Dogmatism – the confusion of facts w/opinions
Finding your voice does not indicate an inability to speak, rather the ability to express yourself, usually as a writer.
Your voice is the first step of empowering yourself. Many of us never even think about our voice and when we do we consider it to be the vibration that comes out of our vocal chords, through the throat and out the mouth. But the voice is so much more than that. We also tend to think that finding out voice means we find a new thing. Something profound that is speaking and writing through us.
However, finding your voice is not finding some new thing on the inside of you, instead it is finding a little bit more of you. More freedom to speak, to express, and to let yourself be heard. You find something uniquely you that is (should be) unlike anyone else.
The more you use it the better you will get at speaking up. (It will only say what you have to say)…
If you don’t feel free to speak there are definitely reasons for why you feel that way. What are the stories and who are the ‘voices’ that keep you silent?
Insecurity, is a major struggle for many people. It often makes a person feel that what he/she has to say isn’t good enough.
In literature, the term ‘voice’ means the mix of vocabulary, tone, point of view, and syntax that helps your writing to flow in a particular manner (sentences, paragraphs, phrases)
We can easily identify people in our society, communities and personal space who have distinctive voices. Not those that you ‘hear’ and recognize…but those you instantly recognize because of the message, themes, structure or style.
Stephen King is hardly ever confused with any other author of his genre. We recognize the unique style that is Toni Morrison and know immediately that it is her newest novel and not that of Maya Angelou. While both are accomplished authors, they are uniquely different in their delivery.
Practice makes Perfect – write, write, write
Finding your voice takes time.
Creative Non-Fiction
Non-Fiction is based on facts: biographies, histories real people and real events.
The word creative refers to the use of literary craft, the techniques fiction writers, playwrights, and poets employ to present nonfiction, in a compelling, vivid, and dramatic manner.
It’s factual accurate prose about real people and events.
The goal is to make nonfiction stories read like fiction so that your readers are as enthralled by fact as they are by fantasy.
A good writer uses one of three (sometimes more than one) techniques known as rhetorical appeals to persuade listeners/readers.
Logic – also known as logos is the use of logical argument. For example, statistics, facts, reasonable arguments, logical organization of information.
Emotions – also known as pathos/passion is the use of emotional appeal. For example, heartwarming stories, personal experiences, humorous jokes, pitiful photographs, etc.
Ethics – also known as ethos/ethics is the use of credibility and trust. For example, quotes from professionals, customer reviews, celebrity endorsements, and personal qualifications, etc.
Assignment: Persuasion
Take a stand on something you don’t agree with and include both logical and emotional appeal in your statement(s).
My example:
