voice-analysis

SKILL.md

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

 Consistent register (formal/informal throughout)

 Deliberate register mixing (formal content, casual asides)

 Context-dependent shifting (formal for X, casual for Y)

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:

 Analogical reasoning (like X, therefore Y)

 First principles (from basics up)

 Empirical evidence (data, studies)

 Personal anecdote (I experienced...)

 Hypotheticals (imagine if...)

 Socratic questioning (but what if...?)

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:

 Expert/teacher (I know, let me explain)

 Peer/collaborator (we're figuring this out together)

 Student/learner (I'm working through this)

 Challenger/provocateur (conventional wisdom is wrong)

 Guide/facilitator (here's how to navigate)

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:

 Can identify the author in a blind test?

 Guided writing feels authentic, not performative?

 Patterns are descriptive, not prescriptive?

 Captures spirit, not just mechanics?

 Source would say "yes, that's me"?

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

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