| name | voice-analysis |
| description | Extract and document a writer's distinctive voice patterns for consistent reproduction. Use when you need to capture writing voice, analyze writing style, create a voice guide, or write in someone's established style. Keywords: voice, tone, style, writing analysis, fingerprint. |
| license | MIT |
| metadata | {"author":"jwynia","version":"1.0","type":"utility","mode":"evaluative","domain":"fiction"} |
Voice & Tone Analysis
Purpose
Extract and document a writer's distinctive voice patterns for consistent reproduction. Creates a "voice guide" that enables authentic writing that sounds like the source, not a generic approximation.
Core Principle
Capture spirit, not just mechanics. The goal is writing that makes the source say "yes, that's me" not "I guess that's accurate."
Phase 1: Sample Collection
Gather 5-10 Examples from Each Category
Peak Voice - Writing they identify as "most them"
Off-Voice - Writing that doesn't represent them well
Different Contexts:
- Technical/instructional content
- Persuasive/argumentative pieces
- Narrative/storytelling
- Casual communication (emails, messages)
- Formal communication
- Emotional/vulnerable content
Self-Report Prompts
Rewrite Exercise:
Ask: "Rewrite this neutral paragraph in your voice:"
"The new policy will be implemented next month. It includes several changes to current procedures. Employees should review documentation and submit questions by the deadline."
Rule Breaking:
"What writing 'rules' do you consistently ignore? Why?"
Pet Peeves:
"What writing choices immediately signal something wasn't written by you?"
Evolution:
"How has your writing changed in 5 years? What stayed constant?"
Phase 2: Linguistic Analysis
Sentence Level
| Pattern | What to Track |
|---|
| Average length | Words per sentence |
| Range | Shortest to longest |
| Fragments | Usage frequency, contexts |
| Run-ons | Tendency, intentionality |
| Opening patterns | How sentences typically start |
| Closing patterns | How sentences typically end |
Paragraph Architecture
| Element | What to Track |
|---|
| Average length | Sentences per paragraph |
| Topic sentences | Beginning, middle, end, absent |
| Transitions | Explicit words, implicit flow, abrupt |
| Information order | Build-up, front-load, circular |
Punctuation Signature
| Mark | Track Usage Pattern |
|---|
| Em dash | Interruption, emphasis, list, asides |
| Parentheses | Frequency, content type |
| Semicolon | Presence, absence, alternative |
| Ellipsis | Trailing, pause, omission |
| Exclamation | Frequency, contexts |
| Rhetorical questions | Frequency, function |
Phase 3: Lexical Fingerprinting
Word Choice Matrix
| Category | Preferred | Avoided | Signature Examples |
|---|
| Technical terms | | | |
| Colloquialisms | | | |
| Intensifiers | very, extremely, quite... | | |
| Hedging | perhaps, might, seems... | | |
| Abstract/concrete | | | |
Register Analysis
Recurring Constructions
List phrases/patterns appearing 3+ times:
-
-
-
Phase 4: Conceptual DNA
Metaphor Mapping
| Source Domain | Target Domain | Example | Frequency |
|---|
| (war, journey, building...) | (ideas, processes...) | | |
Reference Pool
- Cultural touchstones: (movies, books, memes, history...)
- Time period: (contemporary, 90s, classic...)
- Accessibility level: (mainstream, niche, insider)
- Domains drawn from: (sports, cooking, science...)
Reasoning Patterns
Rate 1-5 for prevalence:
Phase 5: Emotional Texture
Enthusiasm Spectrum
| Low | Medium | High |
|---|
| (understated) | (balanced) | (expressive) |
Criticism Styles
| Style | When Used | Markers |
|---|
| Direct | | "This is wrong because..." |
| Diplomatic | | "One consideration might be..." |
| Humorous | | "Well, that's one way to..." |
| Analytical | | "The issue breaks down to..." |
Vulnerability Patterns
- Admission phrases: "I'll admit...", "honestly..."
- Uncertainty markers: "I think...", "not sure but..."
- Personal revelation style: Direct? Buried in humor? Rare?
Phase 6: Reader Dynamics
Positioning
The writer positions as:
Assumed Context
- Shared knowledge level: Assumes expertise? Explains basics?
- Cultural assumptions: In-group references? Universal?
- Relationship warmth: Distant professional? Familiar?
Interactive Patterns
- Questions per 1000 words: ___
- Direct address frequency ("you"): ___
- Imperative usage (commands): ___
- Inclusive language ("we/us"): ___
Phase 7: Voice Guide Synthesis
Core Voice Statement
In 2-3 sentences, capture the essence:
The Rules That Matter Most
Always:
Never:
Usually, unless:
Sentence Construction Guide
- Preferred length:
- Variety pattern:
- Opening moves:
- Power positions: (where key info lands)
Word Selection Principles
- Go-to words for [concept]:
- Banned words/phrases:
- Register rules:
Structural Signatures
- Paragraph rhythm:
- Transition style:
- Information architecture:
Emotional Register
- Default tone:
- Excitement expression:
- Criticism approach:
- Vulnerability threshold:
The Litmus Test
A piece captures this voice when:
1.
2.
3.
Red Flags
Definitely NOT this voice when:
1.
2.
3.
Phase 8: Validation
Before finalizing the voice guide:
Quick Reference Template
In Every Piece
The Heart of the Voice
[Single paragraph essence]
Emergency Voice Recovery
When writing has gone generic, add:
1.
2.
3.
Usage Notes
For AI Writing
Once the voice guide is complete, include relevant sections in the prompt to guide generation toward authentic voice reproduction.
For Self-Analysis
Writers can use this framework to understand their own voice, identify what makes their writing distinctive, and consciously apply those patterns.
For Editing
Use the voice guide as a checklist when editing to ensure consistency and authenticity.
Anti-Patterns
1. Mechanics Over Spirit
Pattern: Cataloging every linguistic feature without understanding what makes the voice feel distinctive.
Why it fails: A perfect inventory of word frequencies and sentence lengths can produce writing that's technically accurate but feels like a parody. Voice is gestalt, not components.
Fix: Start from "what makes this voice feel like this?" Work backward to mechanics. The inventory serves understanding; understanding doesn't emerge from inventory alone.
2. Single-Context Capture
Pattern: Analyzing voice from one type of writing, then applying it to all contexts.
Why it fails: Writers shift voice across contexts. Technical writing voice differs from casual email voice. Capturing one context and forcing it everywhere creates uncanny artifacts.
Fix: Sample across contexts. Map how voice shifts. Include context-switching rules in the voice guide. Understand which elements are constant vs. context-dependent.
3. Frequency as Rule
Pattern: If they use em-dashes 8% of the time, the voice guide prescribes 8% em-dash usage.
Why it fails: Frequency is a statistical average, not a style rule. Forced frequency creates awkward placement. Natural writers don't count punctuation.
Fix: Understand when they use em-dashes, not how often. "Uses em-dashes for dramatic interjections, rarely for lists" is actionable. "8% em-dashes" is not.
4. Imitation Artifacts
Pattern: Voice-guided writing that feels like someone doing an impression—technically accurate but overperformed.
Why it fails: Distinctive features become tics when isolated. Real voice balances distinctive and neutral. Guides that catalog only distinctive features produce caricature.
Fix: Include neutral baseline alongside distinctive features. Most sentences should sound natural, with distinctive features emerging at appropriate moments, not constantly.
5. Frozen Voice
Pattern: Treating the voice guide as permanent, not updating as the writer evolves.
Why it fails: Writers change. A voice guide from 2020 may not fit 2025 writing. Using outdated guides produces writing that feels like an old version of the person.
Fix: Note the capture date. Plan periodic updates. Include the writer's own reflections on how their voice has evolved. Treat the guide as living documentation.
Integration
Inbound (feeds into this skill)
| Skill | What it provides |
|---|
| (writing samples) | Raw material for analysis |
| prose-style | Sentence-level craft framework for analysis |
Outbound (this skill enables)
| Skill | What this provides |
|---|
| prose-style | Voice-specific sentence construction guidance |
| dialogue | Voice patterns for character speech |
| (AI generation) | Voice guides for consistent AI-assisted writing |
Complementary
| Skill | Relationship |
|---|
| prose-style | Voice-analysis captures what; prose-style provides how. Use voice-analysis first to understand the target, then prose-style to achieve it |
| dialogue | Voice-analysis for authorial voice; dialogue skill for character voices within fiction |
