Voice and Student Engagement with Writing: Integrating Perspective, Personality, and Style

Author

• Sara S. Martin, University of Texas at ArlingtonFollow

Graduation Semester and Year

Spring 2026

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in English

Department

English

First Advisor

James Warren

Second Advisor

Timothy Richardson

Third Advisor

Nathanael O’Reilly

Abstract

The rise of generative AI has many teachers worried about the future of writing classes and students’ desire to learn. However, instructors can motivate students to write by valuing what AI can never replace: their voices. Previous definitions of voice took the concept for granted and left it either vague or reductive, unhelpful for structured lessons. I propose a new, more teachable definition of voice as perspective, personality, and style. Perspective takes priority because it belongs solely to the individual and the unrepeatable moment of composition. Personality infuses passages with emotion, forming a bond between author and reader. Style, the most flexible of the three aspects, may change or be switched out to accommodate an audience. This approach to voice opens it up to every stage of the writing process, boosting students’ sense of ownership of their learning. Drawing on techniques from creative writing and sound studies can enhance their appreciation of voice and elevate their drafts. Creative writing fosters a delight in words and hones the observational skills necessary for robust imagery. Sound studies improves listening, emphasizing the shared qualities of audible and writerly voice, the musicality of language in speech and on the page. Dictation combines the two types of voice, letting those who prefer to talk through their ideas than write them down compose more quickly. Equipped with a dynamic definition of voice, teachers can inspire students to explore the world and enrich their community through writing.

Keywords

Voice, Rhetoric and composition, Writing process, Sound studies, Technical writing, Creative writing, Dictation, Speech-to-text, Multimodality, Embodiment

Disciplines

Creative Writing | Educational Methods | English Language and Literature | Higher Education and Teaching | Philosophy of Language | Rhetoric and Composition | Technical and Professional Writing

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Martin, Sara S., "Voice and Student Engagement with Writing: Integrating Perspective, Personality, and Style" (2026). English Dissertations. 1.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/english_dissertations2/1