Since October, I’ve
been thinking about ways to classify nonfiction. I’ve looked at nonfiction text
types and styles—two new tools in my writer’s tool box. I’ve also taken a fresh
look at structure. This week I’m going to describe some of my new thoughts
about voice.
In the past,
nonfiction books for kids were straightforward, stodgy, and voiceless. In fact,
if I had submitted a manuscript with a strong voice to an editor ten or fifteen
years ago, it would have been rejected. But today, voice is an important
component of engaging nonfiction titles.
nonfiction books for kids were straightforward, stodgy, and voiceless. In fact,
if I had submitted a manuscript with a strong voice to an editor ten or fifteen
years ago, it would have been rejected. But today, voice is an important
component of engaging nonfiction titles.
Some books feature
a strong lively, playful, humorous style, while others have soft, sweet lyrical
voice. But these descriptions represent two extremes in a broad spectrum of
voices. I created the visual below to help me think about this continuum.
a strong lively, playful, humorous style, while others have soft, sweet lyrical
voice. But these descriptions represent two extremes in a broad spectrum of
voices. I created the visual below to help me think about this continuum.
Nonfiction authors
choose a voice based on their topic and the approach they want to take to that
topic. For example, if you are writing about a picture book biography about a
person with a sassy personality, you should use a playful voice. What
to Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley is a good example. On the other hand, when writing Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story
of Wangari Maathai, Claire A. Nivola used a lyrical, descriptive storyteller
voice because it reflects the personality and accomplishments of her subject.
choose a voice based on their topic and the approach they want to take to that
topic. For example, if you are writing about a picture book biography about a
person with a sassy personality, you should use a playful voice. What
to Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley is a good example. On the other hand, when writing Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story
of Wangari Maathai, Claire A. Nivola used a lyrical, descriptive storyteller
voice because it reflects the personality and accomplishments of her subject.
Books with a lively voice often include:
- Second-person point of view
- Figurative language, including alliteration/assonance, similes and metaphors, onomatopoeia
- Sensory details
- Strong, surprising verbs
- Irresistible facts
Books with a lyrical voice often include:
- Third-person point of view
- Figurative language, including alliteration/assonance, opposition, similes and metaphors
- Repetition
- Internal rhyme with soft sounds
- Strong, surprising verbs
A lively, conversational
voice is often a good choice for long-form expository books, while a more
wondrous, lyrical voice is more appropriate for a nature-themed picture book.
Let your topic and your purpose for writing guide you to the best possible
voice choice.
voice is often a good choice for long-form expository books, while a more
wondrous, lyrical voice is more appropriate for a nature-themed picture book.
Let your topic and your purpose for writing guide you to the best possible
voice choice.
Books with a Lively Voice
Animal Grossapedia by
Melissa Stewart
Army Ant Parade by April Pulley Sayre
A Black Hole Is Not a Hole
by
Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
by
Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
Bone by Bone: Comparing Animal Skeletons by Sarah Levine
Bugged: How Insects Changed
the World by Sarah Albee
Bugged: How Insects Changed
the World by Sarah Albee
Deadliest Animals by Melissa Stewart
Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate
See How They Run by Susan E. Goodman
What to Do About Alice? by Barbara
Kerley
Kerley
What to Expect When You’re
Expecting Larvae: A Guide for Insect Parents (and Curious Kids) by Bridget Heos
Expecting Larvae: A Guide for Insect Parents (and Curious Kids) by Bridget Heos
Thank You, Sarah by Laurie Halse Anderson
Books with a Lyrical Voice
Ballet for Martha by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
Beneath the Sun by Melissa Stewart
Dave
the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill
the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill
An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Aston Hutts
Feathers: Not Just for Flying by
Melissa Stewart
Melissa Stewart
Frog Song by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Lightship by Brian Floca
Planting
the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by
Claire A. Nivola
the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by
Claire A. Nivola
The Secret World of Walter
Anderson by Hester Bass
Anderson by Hester Bass
Step Gently Out by Helen Frost
Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart
When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan
When Rain Falls by Melissa Stewart
Vulture View by April Pulley Sayre
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2 Responses
I love this post Melissa. I often think of titles as lyrical and how it is so lovely to be learning and surrounded by beautiful language at the same time. Like the "lively" descriptor as well. Making me think about various texts. Hurrah for nonfiction!
Thanks, Melissa. This gives me a few new words to think about when I consider the tone of a new project:>)