1. Active and Passive Voice: The Difference Between Happening and Letting Something Happen

2. Defining Voice  VOICE is defined as the form a verb takes to indicate whether the subject of the sentence performs the action or receives the action.  Only transitive verbs, verbs that have an object, can be used in the passive voice.

3. Defining Voice ACTIVE VOICE – indicates that the subject of the sentence is performing the action; the verb has an object ACTIVE VOICE – indicates that the subject of the sentence is performing the action; the verb has an object PASSIVE VOICE – indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action; the verb does not have an object; consists of a verb in the form of “be” and the past participle of transitive verbs PASSIVE VOICE – indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action; the verb does not have an object; consists of a verb in the form of “be” and the past participle of transitive verbs

4. Defining Voice Active Voice Active Voice Direct and concise Direct and concise Uses precise, Uses precise, strong verbs Usually preferable, but not always Usually preferable, but not always Passive Voice Passive Voice Often wordier than active voice Often wordier than active voice Contains many “be” verbs Contains many “be” verbs Often used when writing objectively such as in scientific reports Often used when writing objectively such as in scientific reports

5. Examples of Voice Active Voice – the subject is the doer Active Voice – the subject is the doer Mark threw the ball. Mark threw the ball. Sally drove Melissa to the store. Sally drove Melissa to the store. Passive Voice – the subject is the receiver Passive Voice – the subject is the receiver The ball was thrown by Mark. The ball was thrown by Mark. Melissa was driven to the store by Sally. Melissa was driven to the store by Sally.

6. A Matter of Style Writing in active or passive voice is not a matter of right or wrong, but it is a matter of style. Writing in active or passive voice is not a matter of right or wrong, but it is a matter of style. Choosing one voice over the other is a rhetorical choice. Choosing one voice over the other is a rhetorical choice. You must choose whether you want to emphasize the doer or the receiver of the action. You must choose whether you want to emphasize the doer or the receiver of the action.

7. When to Use Active Voice Use active voice if you want to emphasize the doer of the action. Use active voice if you want to emphasize the doer of the action. Active voice is typically direct and concise; the agent of the action is known Active voice is typically direct and concise; the agent of the action is known Use active voice if you want your writing to be active with specific, precise, strong verbs. Use active voice if you want your writing to be active with specific, precise, strong verbs.

8. When to Use Passive Voice  Use the passive voice if  you want to emphasize the receiver of the action.  you are intentionally hiding the subject of the sentence.  you are trying to minimize the guilt of the subject or avoid mentioning the responsible party  you wish to postpone mentioning the subject until later or not at all  you want to highlight the action instead of the actor

9. Changing Passive Voice to Active Voice To change passive voice to active voice, you should locate the performer of the action. To change passive voice to active voice, you should locate the performer of the action. Next, make the performer of action the subject of the sentence. Next, make the performer of action the subject of the sentence. Then change the verb to indicate that the subject is performing the action. Then change the verb to indicate that the subject is performing the action. The exam was completed by Brandon. (Passive) The exam was completed by Brandon. (Passive) Brandon completed the exam. (Active) Brandon completed the exam. (Active) The book was read by Susan. (Passive) The book was read by Susan. (Passive) Susan read the book. (Active) Susan read the book. (Active)

10. Shifting Voices When you are writing be sure to avoid shifting between active and passive voice within the same sentence. When you are writing be sure to avoid shifting between active and passive voice within the same sentence. Ex. Erica packed her suitcase and was flown to Paris. (Incorrect) Ex. Erica packed her suitcase and was flown to Paris. (Incorrect) Erica packed her suitcase and flew to Paris. (Correct) Erica packed her suitcase and flew to Paris. (Correct)

11. Dangling Modifiers When writing in passive voice, make sure to avoid dangling modifiers. When writing in passive voice, make sure to avoid dangling modifiers. The dog was found injured by Michael in the backyard. (Incorrect) The dog was found injured by Michael in the backyard. (Incorrect) The dog was injured in the backyard and was found by Michael. (Correct - passive) The dog was injured in the backyard and was found by Michael. (Correct - passive) Michael found the injured dog Michael found the injured dog in the front yard. (Correct - active)

12. The Choice is Yours Write with a purpose! The rhetorical choices you make can powerfully affect the message you want to communicate and how it is received. Write with a purpose! The rhetorical choices you make can powerfully affect the message you want to communicate and how it is received. ACTIVE OR PASSIVE VOICE? ACTIVE OR PASSIVE VOICE? THE CHOICE IS YOURS! THE CHOICE IS YOURS!