Recognizing Personal Voice In Writing

1. Personal voice often uses first person (“I,” “me,” “my”).

True

False

First person is a common way to express personal voice in narratives.

Explanation

First person is a common way to express personal voice in narratives.

2. Which narrator has the clearest personal voice?

It was raining outside.

Rain fell outside.

The sky dumped buckets on us like it had a personal grudge.

It was wet.

(c) uses figurative language and attitude.

Explanation

(c) uses figurative language and attitude.

3. A paragraph with strong personal voice will usually:

Repeat the same simple sentence over and over

Sound like any random person wrote it

Sound like a specific person with a particular mood and style

Contain no emotion

Voice feels specific and individual.

Explanation

Voice feels specific and individual.

4. Personal voice often shapes the writing's ________.

Font color

Tone (funny, serious, hopeful, etc.)

Page numbers

Heading style

Voice and tone are closely connected.

Explanation

Voice and tone are closely connected.

5. Which example shows a shy, unsure voice?

I burst into the room like a superhero on a mission.

I stepped into the room slowly, hoping no one would notice me at all.

I stormed into the room and slammed the door.

I danced into the room like it was my personal stage.

The narrator clearly wants to stay invisible.

Explanation

The narrator clearly wants to stay invisible.

6. Which line contains the LEAST personal voice?

I guess you could say I’m slightly obsessed with my sketchbook.

I draw.

My pencil is basically welded to my hand at this point.

Drawing is the only thing that makes the world feel quiet for a minute.

(b) is plain and doesn’t show personality.

Explanation

(b) is plain and doesn’t show personality.

7. Two writers can describe the same event in completely different voices.

True

False

Voice depends on the writer, not the event.

Explanation

Voice depends on the writer, not the event.

8. Which sentence sounds like a sarcastic personal voice?

The test was very challenging and required careful thought.

The test was a delightful surprise, said absolutely no one.

The test was on Friday.

The test covered several topics.

The phrase “said absolutely no one” signals sarcasm.

Explanation

The phrase “said absolutely no one” signals sarcasm.

9. Which writer's voice is MOST enthusiastic?

We went to the museum.

We went to the museum. It was fine.

We went to the museum to learn things.

(c) shows deep interest and emotional reaction.

Explanation

(c) shows deep interest and emotional reaction.

10. A student wants her narrative to sound more like HER and less like a textbook. Which revision shows that?

It was an event of great significance.

I experienced a moment of change.

That was the day everything fell apart and somehow began to make sense at the same time.

The event occurred in the afternoon.

(c) is personal, expressive, and emotional.

Explanation

(c) is personal, expressive, and emotional.

11. Which line BEST shows a worried voice?

The hallway was empty.

My footsteps echoed, and every echo sounded like a warning.

The hallway was long.

There were lockers.

(b) ties the setting directly to the narrator’s fear.

Explanation

(b) ties the setting directly to the narrator’s fear.

12. Personal voice can be described as:

The writer’s personality on the page

The writer’s grade level

The writer’s handwriting

The writer’s test score

Voice = how the writer “sounds” in writing.

Explanation

Voice = how the writer “sounds” in writing.

13. When you can guess what kind of person the narrator is just from how they talk in the story, that means:

The text has no voice

The text has strong personal voice

The text is too short

The text is only informational

Strong voice reveals character and personality.

Explanation

Strong voice reveals character and personality.

14. Which passage shows the strongest personal voice?

I went to the park. It was fun.

The park was a place with trees and grass.

The park was quiet, and people walked.

The park smelled like freshly cut grass and adventure, and for once, my brain finally took a deep breath.

(d) combines sensory detail and emotional reflection.

Explanation

(d) combines sensory detail and emotional reflection.

15. Which sentence sounds MOST like a textbook and least like personal voice?

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking as I opened the envelope.

The envelope contained information.

I felt like the envelope was pulsing with my future inside.

Honestly, I almost dropped the envelope in the trash just to avoid the answer.

(b) is flat and impersonal.

Explanation

(b) is flat and impersonal.

Recognizing Personal Voice in Writing

1. Personal voice often uses first person (“I,” “me,” “my”).

2. Which narrator has the clearest personal voice?

3. A paragraph with strong personal voice will usually:

4. Personal voice often shapes the writing's ________.

5. Which example shows a shy, unsure voice?

6. Which line contains the LEAST personal voice?

7. Two writers can describe the same event in completely different voices.

8. Which sentence sounds like a sarcastic personal voice?

9. Which writer's voice is MOST enthusiastic?

10. A student wants her narrative to sound more like HER and less like a textbook. Which revision shows that?

11. Which line BEST shows a worried voice?

12. Personal voice can be described as:

13. When you can guess what kind of person the narrator is just from how they talk in the story, that means:

14. Which passage shows the strongest personal voice?

15. Which sentence sounds MOST like a textbook and least like personal voice?