I had to stay after school today to give a make-up test to a kid who'd been sick on the test day. I write all my own tests--we rarely even use the textbooks.
Anyway, about halfway through the test, the kid looks up at me, all frustrated.
Kid: Mrs. Revis, I'm mad at you!
Me: (surprised) Why?
Kid: Because every time I read these test questions, I can hear you!
Me: What?!
Kid: I can just tell you wrote these questions! They sound like you! And it's driving me crazy! Get out of my head!
Me: *suppressed laughter*
This kid was basically saying that the test I wrote for the class had my own personal "voice" to it--that elusive thing that authors struggle to achieve and editors tend to give speeches on. And while he didn't know it, that kid had just made my day. I may painstakingly try to figure out how to inject an entertaining voice into my fiction writing, but at least this kid can see it in question 42.
Hey Beth! head on over to my blog. I've tagged you in a meme. :0) tag. You're it!
ReplyDeleteChristy
Cool! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff.. Students are so honest. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome!!! I remember taking tests that had the teacher's Voice in the question. It drove me crazy, too, but I wasn't exactly appreciating the writing skills it took to pull that off. :)
ReplyDeleteKeri--Trust me, I know! They're brutal sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteTabitha--I had never thought of it before! It really surprised me; it was something I'd never expected.
Susan-- Thanks :)
This is perfect! What every author wants! To have a voice!
ReplyDelete