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Narrator and VoiceWho’s Talking?
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1. Narrator
The narrator is the person telling the
story. The story is told from his point of
view.
◦ Point of view is the way that you see the
story—the version you get.
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2. Omniscient Point of View
Om-ni-scient
Omniscient means all knowing
The narrator knows everything about the
story and characters—even knows what
the characters feel and think.
The narrator is not one of the characters.
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3. First-Person Narrator
The narrator is a character in the story who is experiencing the events first-hand. He refers to himself as I or me.
Some first-person narrators are credible, or believable. Others are unreliable, meaning they cannot be trusted—not because they’re not telling the truth, necessarily, but they may not see the full picture.
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4. Third-Person-Limited Narrator
A third-person-limited narrator knows
everything (like an omniscient narrator)
and is not a character in the story;
however, the narrator limits his focus to a
single character.
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5. Diction
Dic-tion: the writer’s word choice.
◦ “Could you be so kind as to pass me the milk?” Vs. “Give me that!”
◦ “I regret to inform you that that is not the case.” Vs. “You’re wrong!”
◦ “It is a pleasure to see you again! How are you today?” Vs. “Hey, what’s
up?”
◦ “I’m a bit upset,” Vs. “I’m so peeved.”
◦ “I would be delighted!” Vs. “Sure, why not?”
◦ “I’ll do it right away, sir,” Vs. “Yeah, just a sec.”
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6. Tone
the author’s attitude toward the writing (his characters, the
situation) and the readers.
◦ A work of writing can have more than one tone. An example of tone
could be both serious and humorous.
Tone is set by the setting, choice of vocabulary, and other
details.
Amused Humorous Pessimistic Angry
Informal Playful Cheerful Ironic
Pompous Horror Light Sad
Clear Matter-of-fact Serious Formal
Resigned Suspicious Gloomy Optimistic
Witty
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Mood
the general atmosphere created by the
author’s words; the feeling the reader gets
from reading those words.
◦ It may be the same, throughout, or it may
change from situation to situationFanciful Melancholy Frightening
Mysterious Frustrating Romantic
Gloomy Sentimental Happy
Sorrowful Joyful Suspenseful
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7. Voice
The writer’s overall style based on his
tone and diction.A voice on the Web: Strive to create a "text" voice that is as distinctive as your
speaking voice.
We can't all be Hemingway: Don't try to write like someone else; find your
own voice and don't try to change your demeanor.
Write like you talk: It really can be that simple.
Let your passion be your guide: Follow the urge; follow the idea.
Let me entertain you: All writing, even the most serious, is a form of
entertainment. Find the words that keep your reader interested.
Your view on the world: Your specialty, your interests will color your view on
the world—not to mention your writing.
Find the feeling: If you find the feeling that belongs to a piece of writing, the
piece may write itself. There is no bad first draft. Let yourself go.
This page came from . . .
http://web.archive.org/web/20000529021307/www.efuse.com/Design/wa-voice.html 9
Questions?
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