November 4, 2008 was a big day in the United States. Millions of Americans used their voices and exercised their right to vote. According to the Associated Press at the time of this entry, Obama received 63,427,856 votes and McCain received 56,084,064 votes.

No matter which candidate you and your family hoped would win, there is no doubt, history was made last night. In celebration of the election, we're making Election Parfaits today.

Ingredients: strawberry yogurt, bananas, blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream.


(Layer one of our parfait--yogurt. Layer two--strawberries.)

Americans used their voices this election year to make sure they were heard. They talked about the issues that were important to them. They debated, campaigned for their favorites and voted. VOICE IN YOUR WRITING: What is important to the character you are writing about? What makes them happy, sad or angry? Is there anything so important to your character that she'd run for political office to change or influence?



(Layer three -- add bananas.)

Yesterday, many people voted for change. No matter who won, the U.S. would experience change. However, the candidates had drastically different views on several key issues. YOUR WRITING VOICE: Does your character hold an opinion or views that are different from what "everyone else" thinks? How does he see the world?





(Layer four -- blueberries.)

People voted for opportunity and the American Dream. YOUR WRITING VOICE: What about your character? What dreams does she have? What does he hope to accomplish? Does he feel there are obstacles holding him back? Who? What? How can that be changed? If you are writing about someone who is already strong, successful or blessed with opportunity, is there someone or something they care about? A person your character would like to see be given an opportunity to realize her potential?




(Layer five--a little whipped cream.)

After months of campaigning and debating, a winner was declared as most children were headed to bed for the night. Barack Obama will be our next president. Some people cried, some people cheered. Some cried and cheered.

In the days, months and weeks to come, no matter how people voted, we will see people from all backgrounds, people with vastly different opinions and views of the world, come together and support the new administration. People used their voices on November 4, 2008, and history was made. (Coming together despite our differences--that's the whipped cream on top!)

YOUR WRITING VOICE: After your character struggles to achieve his goals, no matter if he succeeds or not, what does he see as the reward? What is the pay off? What did he learn? Will people come together or be divided as a result of his actions?



The answers to all these questions can help develop the character, give her personality and make her feel like a real person. Personality and making your character seem real--that's another way to achieve voice in writing!

Make a parfait, take family photos in front of election results on TV or with the newspaper. Write an essay about how you feel today and save it in your scrapbook. Do something to make this day memorable!