Voice Extraction Templates

Structured templates for capturing voice systematically.

Full Extraction Template

Use this for comprehensive voice profiles.

# Voice Extraction: [Name/Brand]

## Source Material
- Sample 1: [title/description] ([X] words)
- Sample 2: [title/description] ([X] words)
- Sample 3: [title/description] ([X] words)
Total: [X] words across [X] samples

## Vocabulary Analysis

### Complexity Score
[ ] Simple (8th grade reading level)
[X] Moderate (10-12th grade)
[ ] Complex (college+)

Evidence: "[example sentence]"

### Formality Score
[ ] Casual (contractions, slang okay)
[X] Conversational (contractions, no slang)
[ ] Professional (minimal contractions)
[ ] Formal (no contractions)

Evidence: "[example]"

### Signature Words/Phrases
Words used frequently:
- "[word]" - appears X times
- "[phrase]" - appears X times

### Prohibited Words
Words never used:
- "[word]" - alternative used instead: "[alternative]"
- "[word]" - never appears despite topic relevance

## Sentence Analysis

### Average Length
[X] words (calculated from samples)

### Length Distribution
Shortest sentences: [X] words (for emphasis)
Longest sentences: [X] words (for explanation)
Standard deviation: [X]

### Structure Patterns

**Dominant pattern**: [Simple / Compound / Complex]

**Fragment usage**:
[ ] Never
[ ] Rarely (emphasis only)
[X] Sometimes
[ ] Frequently

Example fragment: "[example]"

### Opening Patterns
Sentences typically start with:
- Subject-verb: [%]
- Question: [%]
- Transition word: [%]
- "-ing" phrase: [%]

## Paragraph Analysis

### Average Length
[X] sentences per paragraph

### Opening Patterns
How paragraphs typically begin:
- Hook/claim: [%]
- Question: [%]
- Continuation: [%]
- Quote: [%]

### Closing Patterns
How paragraphs typically end:
- Conclusion/summary: [%]
- Transition to next: [%]
- Question: [%]
- Punch line: [%]

## Rhythm Analysis

### Pacing
[ ] Quick (short sentences dominate)
[X] Varied (intentional mix)
[ ] Measured (longer sentences dominate)

### Punctuation Preferences
- Em dashes: [Frequent / Occasional / Rare / Never]
- Parentheses: [Frequent / Occasional / Rare / Never]
- Semicolons: [Frequent / Occasional / Rare / Never]
- Exclamation marks: [Frequent / Occasional / Rare / Never]

### White Space
[ ] Dense (long paragraphs)
[X] Moderate (mixed)
[ ] Airy (short paragraphs, frequent breaks)

## Emotional Analysis

### Tone
Primary: [optimistic / skeptical / neutral / passionate / urgent / calm]
Secondary: [additional descriptor]

### Emotional Distance
[X] Intimate ("I", "you", direct address)
[ ] Conversational (occasional "you")
[ ] Professional (rare personal pronouns)
[ ] Distant ("one", passive constructions)

### Stakes Level
[ ] Low (informational, neutral)
[X] Medium (opinion, mild urgency)
[ ] High (urgent, emotional, calls to action)

## Extracted Patterns

### Pattern 1: [Name]
**What**: [Description of the pattern]
**Example**: "[Quote from samples]"
**When to use**: [Context]

### Pattern 2: [Name]
**What**: [Description]
**Example**: "[Quote]"
**When to use**: [Context]

[Continue for major patterns...]

## Anti-Patterns

### What This Voice Avoids
1. [Anti-pattern]: "[Example of what NOT to do]"
2. [Anti-pattern]: "[Example]"
3. [Anti-pattern]: "[Example]"

## Exemplar Passages

### Best Example of Voice
> "[Passage that perfectly captures the voice]"

Why this works: [Explanation]

### Good Contrast Example
> "[Passage that would NOT fit this voice]"

Why this doesn't work: [Explanation]

## Final Profile Summary

**In one sentence**: This voice is [X], [Y], and [Z].

**Key identifiers**: If you see [marker], it's probably this voice.

**Biggest risk**: Writers often drift toward [common mistake].

Quick Extraction Template

Use for rapid voice capture when time is limited.

# Quick Voice Profile: [Name]

**Based on**: [X] samples, [Y] total words
**Confidence**: [High / Medium / Low]

## Core Characteristics
1. [Most distinctive trait]
2. [Second trait]
3. [Third trait]

## Sentence Style
- Average length: [X] words
- Fragments: [Yes/No]
- Structure: [Simple / Varied / Complex]

## Vocabulary
**Signature words**: [word], [word], [word]
**Avoided words**: [word], [word], [word]
**Formality**: [Casual / Professional / Formal]

## Tone
[One sentence description]

## Quick Test
This voice would say: "[example]"
This voice would NOT say: "[counter-example]"

Comparison Template

Use when analyzing differences between two voices.

# Voice Comparison: [Voice A] vs. [Voice B]

## Overview
| Dimension | Voice A | Voice B |
|-----------|---------|---------|
| Formality | [X] | [X] |
| Sentence Length | [X] words | [X] words |
| Tone | [X] | [X] |
| Complexity | [X] | [X] |

## Key Differences

### Difference 1: [Dimension]
**Voice A**: [Description with example]
**Voice B**: [Description with example]
**Implication**: [What this means for writing]

### Difference 2: [Dimension]
[Continue pattern...]

## Shared Traits
Both voices share:
1. [Shared trait]
2. [Shared trait]

## When to Use Each
**Use Voice A when**: [Context]
**Use Voice B when**: [Context]