November 2025: Finding Your Writing Voice

For many students, writing can feel a little mysterious at first. What does it mean to “sound like yourself” on the page? How do you make your stories, paragraphs, or essays feel clear, concise, and uniquely you? Just like staying organized, finding your writing voice happens in the small moments—and with a few helpful strategies, students can feel more at home in their writing.

Tools & Strategies

• Brainstorming pages or idea notebooks

• Word banks or “favorite words” lists

• Sentence starters or anchor charts for different genres

• Reading aloud to hear how writing sounds

• Graphic organizers to map out thoughts before writing

• A folder (digital or paper) for drafts, revisions, and “idea scraps”

• Mini writing goals (one new vocabulary word, one strong sentence, one vivid detail)

(The National Council of Teachers of English notes that giving students choices—such as topics, formats, or word selections—helps them develop a more authentic and confident writing voice.)

Daily/Weekly Habits

• Reading regularly—stories, articles, poems, comics

• Talking about ideas before writing (a quick conversation can provide perspective and clarity!)

• Practicing short, low-pressure writing (lists, captions, fun descriptions)

• Revisiting old writing to see growth

• Trying different genres—letters, stories, how-tos, reflections

• Adding small details each day: a sensory word here, a stronger verb there

• Sharing writing with someone safe and supportive

• A quick “end-of-draft check” — rereading for voice, flow, and clarity

  
  

(According to the National Writing Project, young writers grow most when they write frequently, receive supportive feedback, and see writing as a process rather than a one-time task.)

Little habits like these may not seem huge, but they help students develop confidence over time. The more comfortable children feel expressing themselves on paper, the more they can focus on what really matters—communicating ideas, exploring creativity, and discovering the joy in their own words.

Wishing all VTO families a wonderful season of writing and imagination!

Until next time,

Anoushka Majumder

Vice President and Curriculum Director of English, VTO