Literary term
Narrative voice
The personality and perspective of the voice telling a story.
What it means
Narrative voice is the personality, perspective and manner of the voice that tells a story. It covers who is speaking, how much they know, and the attitude, vocabulary and rhythm of their telling. A narrative voice might be warm, bitter, naive, formal or playful.
It shapes how the reader understands events, because everything reaches us filtered through it. Choosing a narrative voice is one of a writer's most important decisions. The same events told by a frightened child or a weary adult become very different stories.
Why it matters in the exam
In the reading and Literature papers, understanding narrative voice helps you judge how reliable and how coloured the telling is. It also helps you explain why a writer chose that voice. Examiners reward you for discussing the attitude and knowledge of the narrator, not just the events.
In your own narrative writing, a consistent, distinctive voice is a strong way to engage the reader and show real control.
Example
A story told by an anxious new pupil, noticing every stare and whisper, gives the reader a nervous, watchful voice that colours the whole first day of school.
How to use it
Ask who is telling the story, how much they know and what their attitude is. Then explain how that voice shapes the reader's view of events. Comment on the vocabulary and rhythm that create it.
In your own writing, decide on a clear voice and keep it consistent. Let its attitude colour the description throughout the piece.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Narrative voice" accurately in an answer.