Voice

Style Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell. William Strunk, Jr., Elements of Style

Voice Definition: the relationship between the subject and verb in a sentence Analysis: Is the subject of the sentence performing the action of the verb or being performed upon?

Active Voice Definition: when the subject performs the action of the verb in a sentence Example: John drove the car. –John (the subject) performed the driving (the verb). Effects: –Direct--no questions –Vigorous--strong; concise

Passive Voice Definition: when the subject receives the action of the verb in a sentence Example: The car was driven by John. –Grammatical subject is the car (not John), and it is receiving the driving (action of the verb), not doing it. Effects: –No direct action –Indirect and weak; possibly anonymous (The car was driven.) –Wordy!

Anonymous The closet was rearranged and my favorite lucky sneakers were thrown out by my sister. Mom, the window was broken! The alleged incidents were leaked to the press.

Boring “The meeting was called to order, the minutes were read by the secretary, and the treasurer’s report was given.” “The meeting was interrupted by the appearance of a lion. An attempt was made to form a barricade with the furniture. Members were told to remain calm. One was eaten and the police were called.”

Identifying Passive Voice (Clues) No direct action: –The subject of the sentence is not doing anything. Grammatical formula: Form of the verb “to be” + the past participle of another verb –Example: was driven, has been taken, were stolen, is being given, was ordered, were told Often has a “by...” phrase to identify who or what is actually doing something

Example Bells were rung, horns were blown, confetti was thrown from every office window, and embraces were exchanged by total strangers. Bells rang, horns tooted, confetti streamed from every office window, and total strangers threw their arms around each other.

Expunging Passive Voice! Find the real subject of the sentence. Make it perform! Exploit the senses--use POWER verbs –verbs that show specific action Thunder was heard in the mountains. Thunder ________ in the mountains. Be ready to perform serious sentence operations!

Remember... The more precise the verb you choose, the more vivid the picture and sound it creates! Make your writing exciting! (Please!)