When I am speaking to a friend, my tone and choice of words are different from what they would be if I were speaking to a person of authority. One interaction would be more casual and filled with slang and senseless banter, while the other would be formal, direct, and concise. This is because both conversations have a different set of guidelines and levels of personalized communication. The same could be said for when I am writing. If I am writing an informative research paper, my language would reflect an unbiased, informed, and credible author. However, if I were to write an opinion piece, that style of writing would reflect my morals, character, and mental state. These language distinctions encompass what my writing style and voice are.
Each writer has their own unique style and voice that serves as a fingerprint that traces back to them. I found my style and voice through reading. As a child, and even now, I would devour as many literary works that I could, investing myself not only within the story but within its language. It is because of this, that my way of speaking and writing evolved, using the same ‘big’ words I had seen in the books I had read. Sister Molly Heine delves further into how one develops this literacy in her article “Find Your Style and Voice,” where she explains “Finding your style and voice is done by being original in your writing, using life experiences, stepping out of your comfort zone, and by writing often.” As writers, we have an obligation to our readers, to share our voices and bring the pieces we write to life. These pieces of writing are like our children, and with each constructive criticism and revision, we are able to cherish and nurture them until they reach their full potential and can succeed on their own.
Finding your unique writing style and voice may sound difficult, however, it is a process of trial and error. With each attempt and failure, a writer can learn what works for them and what does not. By allowing ourselves to make mistakes, try new things, and push ourselves, we can slowly gain confidence in our written language. Once we have found our style and voice, according to Hein, we then take on the responsibility of learning when it is appropriate to let it out and when to reign it in. As I mentioned previously, an informative research paper calls for specific language and guidelines, and prohibits the use of personal opinions and pronouns. Once a writer is able to make this distinction naturally, their writing will then become an exceptional force of nature that moves its readers to new heights of understanding, emotion, and literacy development.
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