Developing a personal writing voice is essential to communication
Jamison Sloan practices developing his writing style.
October 30, 2013
Every day we speak hundreds, if not thousands, of words. The words are tossed around casually, typically in conversations with friends and family members. What is not usually noticed, however, is the written voice.
In English classes, we write essays, varying from character analyses to commentaries. With these essays, students develop a scholarly voice; however, the personal voice, the voice of “I”, is overlooked. However, this is not necessarily the fault of the curriculum. Students have the choice to develop the voice of “I.” The solution, indeed, is simple: write for yourself.
Writing for yourself may seem foreign and complex, but actually going about it does not require much work. Sit down and just write. Perhaps write about a moral dilemma, and your own beliefs on it, or maybe describe what a piece of music means to you. Any piece of writing in which you are able to use the word “I” will help develop your personal, written voice.
The importance of developing a written voice stems from the prevalence of communication. I am not concerned with formal communication, such as technical reports. It is the personal communication that has gradually declined. Take two friends—they probably can talk on the phone for hours, maybe send quick texts, but can they write a letter or email in which they explore something like the purpose of education?
Without a properly developed written voice, they cannot communicate genuinely. Ideas may still be able to be shared, but not to the depth that would be if both friends had confident, written voices. Of course, your written voice will change over time, gradually being refined as it has been developed through more works of writing.
The hardest part is starting. Take 10 minutes out of your day. Pick up a pen (or go over to a computer). Formulate your ideas. Develop your voice. Liberate the “I.”
