claude-plugins/fiction-assistance/commands/analyze/check-voice.md

---
description: Analyze character voice consistency and dialogue patterns
allowed-tools: Write(40 - Generated/Analysis/voice-analysis.md)
---
You are performing character voice analysis for the Universalis story to ensure dialogue consistency and distinctive character voices.

## Objectives:

1. **Voice pattern analysis** for each character across all appearances
2. **Dialogue consistency checking** against established character voice
3. **Speech pattern identification** and distinctiveness assessment
4. **Voice development tracking** over story progression
5. **Dialogue quality evaluation** for authenticity and character fit

## Voice Analysis Areas:

### 1. Speech Pattern Analysis
For each character, analyze:
- **Vocabulary choice** (formal/informal, technical/simple, unique phrases)
- **Sentence structure** (short/long, complex/simple, fragmented/complete)
- **Rhythm and flow** (clipped speech, flowing dialogue, interruptions)
- **Emotional expression** patterns (how they show anger, joy, fear, etc.)
- **Cultural/background influences** on speech patterns

### 2. Character-Specific Voice Elements
- **Catchphrases** and repeated expressions
- **Professional terminology** usage patterns
- **Regional/cultural dialects** or speech markers
- **Generational speech** patterns (age-appropriate language)
- **Personality manifestation** in dialogue (confidence, humor, formality)

### 3. Dialogue Consistency Tracking
- **Voice maintenance** across different scenes and emotional states
- **Stress response** patterns in dialogue under pressure
- **Character growth** reflected appropriately in speech evolution
- **Relationship dynamics** affecting speech patterns with different characters

### 4. Distinctiveness Assessment
- **Character voice uniqueness** - can you identify speaker without tags?
- **Overlap detection** - characters sounding too similar
- **Authentic characterization** - dialogue matching personality and background
- **Memorable speech** - distinctive and engaging dialogue patterns

## Voice Analysis Report:

Generate comprehensive analysis at `40 - Generated/Analysis/voice-analysis.md`:

```markdown
# Character Voice Analysis Report

*Generated: {{current_date}}*

## Overview
Analysis of character voice consistency, distinctiveness, and development across all appearances in Universalis.

## Executive Summary
- **Characters Analyzed**: {{character_count}}
- **Voice Consistency Score**: {{overall_consistency_score}}/10
- **Distinctiveness Score**: {{overall_distinctiveness_score}}/10
- **Issues Identified**: {{total_voice_issues}}

## Character Voice Profiles

### {{Character Name}}
**Voice Consistency**: {{consistency_score}}/10 | **Distinctiveness**: {{distinctiveness_score}}/10

#### Established Voice Pattern
- **Speaking Style**: {{speaking_style_description}}
- **Vocabulary Level**: {{vocabulary_assessment}}
- **Sentence Structure**: {{sentence_pattern_description}}
- **Emotional Expression**: {{emotional_expression_pattern}}
- **Signature Elements**: {{unique_speech_elements}}

#### Representative Dialogue Examples
{{most_characteristic_dialogue_samples_with_chapter_refs}}

#### Voice Consistency Analysis
- **Consistent Elements**: {{consistently_maintained_voice_elements}}
- **Inconsistent Moments**: {{dialogue_inconsistencies_with_chapter_refs}}
- **Character Growth**: {{legitimate_voice_evolution_vs_inconsistency}}

#### Voice Development Over Time
{{voice_evolution_analysis_across_story_arc}}

#### Relationship Voice Variations
- **With {{other_character}}**: {{voice_changes_in_this_relationship}}
- **In formal settings**: {{formal_voice_analysis}}
- **Under stress**: {{stress_voice_patterns}}

[Repeat for each major character]

## Cross-Character Analysis

### Voice Distinctiveness Matrix
| Character | Distinctiveness | Similar To | Unique Elements |
|-----------|----------------|------------|-----------------|
{{character_distinctiveness_comparison_table}}

### Voice Overlap Issues
{{characters_who_sound_too_similar}}

### Dialogue Tag Dependency
Characters requiring dialogue tags for identification:
{{characters_needing_better_voice_distinction}}

## Dialogue Quality Assessment

### Authenticity Analysis
- **Age-Appropriate Speech**: {{age_appropriate_assessment}}
- **Background Consistency**: {{background_voice_consistency}}
- **Cultural Authenticity**: {{cultural_speech_accuracy}}
- **Professional Terminology**: {{technical_language_appropriateness}}

### Emotional Range Analysis
{{emotional_expression_variety_and_authenticity}}

### Conversation Flow Analysis
{{dialogue_naturalness_and_flow_assessment}}

## Voice Consistency Issues

### Major Inconsistencies
{{significant_voice_breaks_with_specific_examples}}

### Minor Variations
{{small_inconsistencies_that_could_be_improved}}

### Character Growth vs. Inconsistency
{{legitimate_development_vs_actual_voice_problems}}

## Dialogue Strengths

### Most Distinctive Voices
{{characters_with_strongest_voice_identity}}

### Best Character Interactions
{{most_effective_dialogue_scenes}}

### Memorable Dialogue
{{most_quotable_or_character_defining_lines}}

## Improvement Recommendations

### Voice Strengthening
{{suggestions_for_making_voices_more_distinctive}}

### Consistency Improvements
{{specific_fixes_for_voice_inconsistencies}}

### Dialogue Enhancement
{{suggestions_for_improving_dialogue_quality}}

## Voice Guidelines for Future Writing

### {{Character Name}} Voice Guidelines
{{specific_writing_guidelines_for_this_character}}

[Guidelines for each major character]

### General Dialogue Best Practices
{{overall_dialogue_writing_recommendations}}

## Technical Analysis

### Dialogue Distribution
- **Most Dialogue**: {{character_with_most_lines}} ({{word_count}} words)
- **Dialogue Density**: {{dialogue_to_narrative_ratio_by_character}}
- **Scene Presence**: {{character_scene_participation_rates}}

### Voice Complexity Metrics
{{analysis_of_voice_sophistication_and_development}}

## Analysis Methodology

### Data Sources
- **Character Cards**: {{character_cards_analyzed}}
- **Chapter Scenes**: {{scenes_with_dialogue_analyzed}}
- **Dialogue Samples**: {{total_dialogue_lines_analyzed}}

### Voice Markers Tracked
{{list_of_voice_elements_analyzed}}

### Consistency Evaluation Criteria
{{methodology_for_assessing_voice_consistency}}

---
Generated by Claude Code voice analysis for Universalis writing project.
```

## Analysis Methodology:

1. **Dialogue extraction** from all chapters by character
2. **Pattern recognition** for speech characteristics
3. **Consistency mapping** across character appearances
4. **Comparative analysis** between characters for distinctiveness
5. **Development tracking** for voice evolution
6. **Quality assessment** against character background and personality
7. **Specific example identification** for both strengths and issues

## Voice Elements to Track:

### Linguistic Patterns
- Word choice preferences (simple vs. complex vocabulary)
- Sentence length and structure preferences
- Use of contractions, slang, formal language
- Technical terminology usage patterns

### Character-Specific Elements
- Catchphrases and repeated expressions
- Cultural/regional speech markers
- Professional jargon appropriate to character background
- Age and education level reflected in speech

### Emotional Expression
- How each character expresses different emotions
- Stress response patterns in dialogue
- Humor expression (if applicable)
- Authority or submission patterns in speech

## Issue Classification:

### Major Voice Issues
- Character sounding completely different in different scenes
- Dialogue that contradicts established character background
- Multiple characters sounding identical
- Inappropriate language for character's background/age

### Minor Voice Issues
- Slight vocabulary inconsistencies
- Occasional lapses in established speech patterns
- Missing opportunities for character-specific expressions
- Dialogue that's generic rather than character-specific

## Output Requirements:
- Fixed filename: `40 - Generated/Analysis/voice-analysis.md`
- Character-by-character detailed voice profiles
- Cross-character distinctiveness analysis
- Specific examples with chapter references
- Actionable guidelines for future dialogue writing

**IMPORTANT**: Provide specific dialogue examples for all assessments. Distinguish between legitimate character development and actual voice inconsistencies. Include positive examples of strong voice work alongside areas for improvement.