1. Clarity

2. Clarity Rule 1: Prefer Active to Passive Construction
In active construction
Action flows from front of sentence to back
Actor Action Object/Effect
Action represents the chronological order of events (micro-narrative)
The state agencies implemented the program.

3. Avoid Passive Construction
In passive construction, action moves from back of sentence to front:
Object Action Actor
The program was implemented by the state agencies.
ASK: WHO IS DOING THE ACTION?

4. Another Weakness of Passive Voice: Who’s Doing What?
11. The branch was closed and all the employees were laid off.
2. Profits had clearly been calculated by including multi-year contracts during each quarter of each fiscal year.
We need to establish the chain of command:
ASK THE QUESTION: Who is doing the ? Here?
The partners closed the bank and laid off all the employees.
2. Accountants had clearly calculated profits by including multi-year contracts during each quarter of each fiscal year.

5. Passive sentences are DULL!
Clarity
Active sentences are easier to read and recall.
Active sentences present a narrative--an actor performing an action.
Active sentences are more efficient than passive.
Active sentences promote action.
Passive sentences are DULL!

6. Clarity Rule 2: Use Action Verbs
Make your verbs portray action whenever possible.
Action verbs = concrete actions
e.g., manage, decide, create, put, write, perform, shut, loan, deserves, perform, placate, study, lack, resist, request
Non-action verbs = states of being
e.g., be (is, was, were), have (has)

7. Select Action Verbs: Avoid Nominalizations
Nominalizations = verb turned into a noun
e.g., evaluation, information, utilization, discovery, movement, failure, refusal, resistance
To excavate your verb(s), turn any nominalization back into its source verb.
- Investors should also take into consideration the entire industry profile. (10 words)
Investors should consider the entire industry profile. (7 words)
Authorization for leave was given by her manager. (8)
Her manager authorized her leave. (5)

8. Take Back the Verb! Perform an analysis of Be in a position to
Reach a conclusion about
Give consideration to
Make a decision regarding
Is dependent on
Make an examination of
Come to the realization that
Make a recommendation that
Effect a reduction in

9. What Makes a Good Sentence?
Remember, your writing will seem clear to readers when each sentence reads like a micro-narrative.
Ideally, each sentence should contain an actor, an action, and its result.
If the sentence lacks an actor, create one (implied subject).

10. Next Clarity Killer: What’s the Subject?
It is believed that a lack of understanding about the risks of alcohol is the cause of student binge drinking.
What is it referring to here?

11. Clarity Rule 3: Make Grammatical Subjects Specific
For your grammatical subjects, avoid using isolated pronouns and referents like it
this
these
those

12. Avoid Dummy Subjects
Avoid using there is/there are or it is to start your sentences:
They invert the expected subject-verb-object order for your sentence.
They also make for passive clauses or sentences.
For example
It is essential that steps are taken to retain market share.
Where’s your actor?
We must take steps to retain market share.

13. Clarity Rule 4: Keep Subject and Verb Close Together
If you place too much information between subject and verb:
your readers will forget what the subject was by the time they reach the verb
your readers will forget the details between subject and verb
Decisions about forcibly administering medication in an emergency room setting despite the inability of an irrational patient to provide legal consent is usually an on-scene medical decision.
Clinicians usually have to decide in the emergency room whether to forcibly administer medication without the legal consent of irrational patients.

14. Prefer active construction to passive.
Clarity Summary
Prefer active construction to passive.
Use action verbs whenever possible.
Make subjects specific (find actors/agents).
Keep subject and verb close together.