Writing with Elements of Voice - formative

These are two very different black and white photographs. Look at both. Examine both. (Larger versions of both pictures are on the wiki.) What do you think is happening? What do you think the people in the photographs are thinking/feeling? What time period is it? Who is taking the photograph? Close analysis requires you to ask all these questions (and more). In this assignment, you will begin to use elements of voice (figurative language) to academically present your thoughts with flair, with poetic “bling.”

Instructions: Choose one photograph. In a mode of writing of your choice (poem, journal entry, paragraph, short narrative, photographer’s business brochure), present your answers to the questions above. In this piece of writing, include all sixteen of the elements of voice we discussed today. Elements of voice WILL NOT be counted unless they are labeled.

For example:

My eyes snap as I look at the sky above. (Onomatopoeia)

Hint: Effective use of voice elements means your reader should not be distracted because the element seems “out of place” (non-academic). For example: And, BAM, he walked through the door (Onomatopoeia) . . . or . . . I’m really, really, really, really, hungry (Hyperbole).

Elements of Voice that were covered in previous years:

Metaphor – A comparison between two things without using “like” or “as.”

Simile – A comparison between two things using “like” or “as.”

Personification – Giving human traits to a non-human object or animal.

Alliteration – Repetition of a consonant at the beginning of words in a word sequence.

Onomatopoeia – Sound word that is spelled the way it sounds and feels “natural” in the sentence.

Hyperbole – An exaggeration for effect.

Rhetorical Question – A question that is not meant to be answered because the answer is understood.

Hypophora – A question that is followed by an immediate answer for effect.

Voice Rubric

4 – Advanced / 3 – Proficient / 2 – Partially Proficient / 1 - Basic
CCSS W.8.3.D. / CCSS W.8.3.D. / CCSS W.8.3.D. / CCSS W.8.3.D.
·  All sixteen elements of voice are used to describe one of the photographs.
·  All sixteen elements of voice are labeled. The labeling does not distract from the final product.
·  All sixteen elements of voice are used in such a way that the reader is not confused.
·  All sixteen elements of voice are used to bring a poetic feel to the mode of writing chosen by the student. The writing flows naturally from one element to the other. / ·  All sixteen elements of voice are used to describe one of the photographs, though three might be used incorrectly.
·  All sixteen elements of voice are labeled.
·  All sixteen elements of voice are used in such a way that the reader is not confused, although one element of voice might sound awkward.
·  All sixteen elements of voice are used to bring a poetic feel to the mode of writing chosen by the student. / ·  Some elements of voice are used to describe one of the photographs, with four or more usage errors.
·  Elements of voice are sometimes labeled.
·  Elements of voice are sometimes used in such a way that the reader is confused by context.
·  Some elements of voice are used to bring a poetic feel to the mode of writing chosen by the student. However, the writing is choppy and/or awkward. / ·  Very few elements of voice are used to describe one of the photographs.
·  Very few elements of voice are used and/or are used incorrectly.
·  Elements of voice confuse and distract the reader because of the context in which they are used.
·  A poetic feel to the mode of writing chosen by the student is not supported by using elements of voice.