You adjust your voice all the time when you speak. For example, imagine that you've been pulled over for speeding. Here's how the exchange might go with the officer:
Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
You: "Why, no, sir. I always try to be a safe driver."
Officer: "Do you know what the speed limit is here?"
You: "I believe the speed limit is 45 miles per hour."
Officer: "It is 35 miles per hour. Do you know how fast you were going?"
You: "Probably a little over 35 miles an hour, though I'm not sure. . . ."
Now imagine talking about your speeding ticket with a friend:
Friend: "Hey, did you get pulled over after school?"
You: "Yeah. Totally ridiculous. Guy waits in this speed trap. Loves to catch high schoolers."
Friend: "What was the speed limit?"
You: "Supposedly 35. Everybody does 45 through there. Culver flew by, laughing, while I got my ticket. Probably was doin' 50."
Friend: "How fast were you going?"
You: "He said 48, which is ridiculous. I could swear I didn't do more than 45. Just my luck!"
You would probably be more careful, polite, and proper when talking to a police officer and trying to avoid a ticket, and less so when talking to a friend and expressing frustration.
In the same way, you should make sure your writing voice connects appropriately with your intended audience and helps you achieve your purpose.
Your Turn Write a few sentences using an appropriate voice for each audience and purpose.
- Your parent wants to know why you were pulled over by a police officer.
- Your first-hour teacher asks why you are late for school.
- Your grandma asks if anything interesting happened on your drive home from school.
- Your younger sibling asks why you are in trouble.
