Tips on How to Help Your Child Develop a Formal Writing Language in Their Own Voice

Teaching a child how to write a paper correctly is only part of the challenge for parents of grade school children who are embarking on their first literary journeys. When it comes to creative assignments, they also want to encourage their budding authors to use their imaginations and to implement their own unique creativity. But how does one teach a child to write in a manner that is both correct and fun? Consider the following tips on how to help your child develop a formal writing language in their own voice for a few helpful suggestions.

Tip #1: Explain the difference between a speaking voice and a writing voice. When we speak, we use a variation of our language that is based on culture, geographic location, and specific dialects. Our neighbors and friends understand us, despite any incorrect slang, because we share a common speaking voice. However, papers must be written in such a way that anyone can relate to their basic messages. The only exception is when a character is speaking dialogue in the story, in which case a bit of slang or broken sentences might add to his/her personality. Otherwise, correct, textbook English is to be used.

Tip #2: Explain the importance of character development. Again, character development is where your child's personality will truly be able to shine through. He/she will be able to use his/her own voice to make the characters of the story come alive without compromising proper English usage as it pertains to literature and essays. When it comes to dialogue, the rules are thrown out the window.

Tip #3: Encourage your child to develop an angle on the story. Whether the topic is bugs or bunk beds, the topic assigned to your child by his/her teacher can be altered just a bit to include his/her own personal voice. Rather than dictating the facts, encourage your child to develop an emotional connection to the story. While opinions are generally left out of academic essays, this simple trick will influence how the paper turns out as a whole. The result will be a report that stands apart with a bit more personality, even if only subtly. Do be sure that your child refrains from directly including personal opinions unless instructed otherwise.

Tip #4: Encourage additional research to back up basic facts. One of the common characteristics of bland essays based on a singular topic is that they each tend to share the exact same facts and figures. If your child can come across a lesser known detail that might spice up the work, he/she will in turn learn how to add a special element to each paper written throughout his/her academic career.

Tip #5: Teach your child how to use a broader vocabulary to set his/her works apart. Again, word choices can not only set a tone but can also depict the personality of the author. If your child has a broad vocabulary, he/she can use that knowledge to paint a literary picture for the reader formulated from his/her own creativity. This is especially useful when vibrant adjectives are used to add a bit flair to a story.

Tip #6: Focus on style. One's style of writing is what creates their unique writing "voice," regardless of the nature of the topic. Adding personality to a page is all about knowing what your reader will receive on the other end. Teaching your child to think about how someone else might interpret his/her words will do a great deal to aid him/her in developing a style that better portrays their points in the future. Simply understanding what the reader will see can give your child a chance to improve stylistically with little effort.

Helping children learn the craft of writing is more than focusing on grammar and punctuation. With the guidelines above in place, your child may soon be on his/her way to finding that voice within that will characterize his/her works and set them apart forever.