Active voice

Definition

Active voice is a grammatical structure where the subject of the sentence performs the action rather than receiving it. This approach makes sentences clearer and more direct, which is especially important in writing for clarity and engagement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Using active voice generally makes writing more engaging for readers, keeping their attention focused on the action.
2. Active voice is typically preferred in journalism and news writing because it delivers information quickly and effectively.
3. When editing articles, switching from passive to active voice can clarify who is responsible for an action, improving reader comprehension.
4. In script writing for broadcast news, active voice creates a dynamic flow, helping to convey urgency and immediacy in storytelling.
5. Active voice can enhance SEO by improving readability and engagement metrics, making web content more likely to be shared and linked.

Review Questions

• How does using active voice improve clarity in news articles?
  • Active voice improves clarity in news articles by ensuring that the subject is clearly identified as the doer of the action. This directness helps readers quickly grasp who is responsible for an event or statement, eliminating ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'The law was passed by the legislature,' an active construction like 'The legislature passed the law' makes it immediately clear who did what.
• What are the potential drawbacks of using passive voice in journalism, particularly regarding reader engagement?
  • Using passive voice in journalism can lead to sentences that feel distant or less engaging, as they often omit the doer of the action. This can result in a lack of urgency or excitement in reporting. Readers may find it harder to connect with the story when actions are presented passively, as it can create a sense of detachment. Therefore, active voice is usually favored to maintain reader interest and convey immediacy.
• Evaluate how the choice between active and passive voice affects web writing strategies, particularly in terms of SEO and audience engagement.
  • The choice between active and passive voice plays a crucial role in web writing strategies aimed at optimizing SEO and engaging audiences. Active voice generally leads to clearer, more concise content that enhances readability, which search engines favor. Additionally, engaging language encourages users to stay on a page longer and interact with content, thus improving overall site performance. In contrast, passive constructions can dilute meaning and lessen user engagement, potentially hurting both SEO rankings and audience retention.

Related terms

passive voice: A grammatical structure where the subject of the sentence receives the action instead of performing it, often leading to vagueness.

subject-verb agreement:

The grammatical rule that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number, which enhances clarity in active voice sentences.

conciseness: The quality of being brief and to the point, which is often achieved through the use of active voice to eliminate unnecessary words.