Voice is the sound you make when you speak or sing, created by air passing through your vocal cords in your throat. Everyone's voice is unique, like a fingerprint made of sound. Your friend's voice might be high and cheerful, your teacher's might be steady and clear, and your dad's might be deep and rumbly.

Voice also describes a writer's distinctive style and personality that comes through in their words. You can recognize their style the way you'd recognize a friend calling your name. A funny writer has a humorous voice; a serious historian has a scholarly voice.

Voice also means having influence or a say in decisions. When students ask for a voice in planning the school carnival, they want their opinions heard and considered. People who feel voiceless believe nobody listens to their concerns. During the American Revolution, colonists protested “taxation without representation” because they had no voice in the British Parliament.

To voice an opinion means to express it out loud. You might voice your concerns about a group project or voice your excitement about an upcoming field trip. When you give voice to something, you express feelings or ideas that might otherwise stay hidden. Finding your voice means learning to express yourself honestly and confidently, whether through speaking, writing, art, or action.