Voice demonstrates specific literary personality, tone, or style, according to the website Teaching That Makes Sense. Engaging in a question-and-answer conversation with writing students allows them to grasp the fundamental concepts of voice and why a defined voice is necessary for all sorts of writing assignments. Talking about the difference between hard news copy and comic book writing, for example, helps you illustrate your explanations with imagery.
Teaching narrative defines the difference between the perspectives of first, second and third person. All three narrative voices are possible in the singular or plural form. "I see" or "we see" are examples of first-person singular and plural perspective. "You see" is an example of both second-person singular and plural perspective, while "he sees" and "they see" are third-person examples. Novels, for example, are often written in one of the three perspectives. Magazine articles are most often written in third-person perspective, while editorials and opinion columns are presented in the first or third person.
Showing examples is a way to physically display the differences in literary voice. Demonstrate the difference between hard news and tabloid headlines. Present actual headlines students can compare. For example, when well-known singer Ike Turner, the former husband of Tina Turner, passed away, The New York Times headline was, "Ike Turner, Musician and Songwriter in Duo with Tina Turner, Dies at 76." The New York Post headline was, "Ike 'Beats' Tina to Death." Encourage discussion about what these different headlines say about the content of each periodical.
One of the most ideal ways to teach is to do. After discussing what voice means and displaying examples of voice, ask students to write in their own voice. Make students think about what it is they want to express and how they wish to express it. Reminding students of their audience, whether they're writing to professionals or children, for example, will alter their voice. A series of different assignments -- hard news, opinion articles and creative writing essays, for example -- will help students physically grasp the meaning and importance of voice.