3. • Verbs provide the
momentum of
writing.
• Proper verb choice
makes the
difference between
crisp, clear writing
and bloated,
clumsy writing.
Use strong verbs.
4. What is the difference?
A sentence is in the active
voice when the subject does
the acting instead of being the
recipient of the acting.
Active: Lowell depicts a grim
view of marriage.
Passive: Marriage is depicted
as grim by Lowell.
5. What is the difference?
A verb that conveys action—as
opposed to a verb that merely
links the subject to a thought.
Active: Jim tossed the report away.
Linking: Jim was tired of the report.
7. Verbs and Voice
Voice is the form a verb
takes to indicate
whether the subject of
the verb performs or
receives the action.
There are two types of
voice: active voice and
passive voice.
8. Active Voice
Active voice is used to show that the subject
of the sentence is performing or causing the
action.
Example:
Lebron threw the basketball before the
buzzer.
Lebron shot the basketball from the free throw
line.
Lebron scored three points.
9. Active verbs
• just naturally go with
writing that is in the active
voice.
• When you put the subject
front and center, doing
something, you will
probably find yourself
using stronger, more
interesting verbs.
11. ADVANTAGES OF ACTIVE VOICE:
• Shorter, more direct
• More forceful
• Greater clarity (The reader
knows immediately who is
doing what.)
• Sharper imagery
12. Passive Voice
Passive voice is used when the
subject is the recipient of the action.
Example:
The ball was thrown by Lebron.
The basket was shot by Lebron.
The score was made by Lebron.
13. USE PASSIVE VOICE
• When the actor is unknown or unimportant.
The knife was found beside the body.
• Or when you want to focus on the receiver of
the action more than on the actor.
The teacher was fired for his political
activism.
14. USE PASSIVE VOICE
• When you want a gentler or more diplomatic
approach.
A teenage girl was killed Tuesday by a
gunshot wound that police said was self-
inflicted.
• When you want to strengthen the impression
of objectivity—as, for example, in a research
report.
15. SHOULD YOU EVER USE PASSIVE VOICE?
YES.
• Jon Franklin says that if you try to write
entirely in the active voice, you are likely to
produce something unreadable.
• He’s right. The active voice is great, but you
can have too much of a good thing.
16. PASSIVE VOICE
• Uses “to be” verb forms
• Emphasizes what was found,
not who did the finding
• Can be pedantic and wordy in
the hands of amateurs
17. USE PASSIVE VOICE
• When you want to achieve a
particular effect—whether it
be wry, sardonic, sarcastic or
comedic.
18. WHY DOES IT MATTER?
•STRONG WRITING
USES ACTIVE VOICE!!!!
19. WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Active voice is more direct and concise.
Passive voice is usually wordier.
Active voice is like watching Lebron play.
Passive voice is like watching gum stuck on the
bleachers in the stands.
MOST OF THE TIME, YOU WANT TO USE ACTIVE
VOICE!!!!
20. WHEN WOULD YOU WANT TO USE PASSIVE
VOICE?
When intentionally trying to hide the subject of the sentence.
For example, a politician might say, “The mistake was made by
someone.” Hiding the subject helps him/her hide the blame.
When intentionally trying to minimize the guilt of the subject.
For example, a cheating boyfriend might say, “Cheating was
committed by me.”
When passive voice better emphasizes the main point of the
message, such as “Children were harmed by the drunk driver.”
21. GOOD WRITERS USE BOTH VOICES.
• Use active voice whenever
possible.
• You need to know when to use
one voice or the other, and
when to use them together.
