Active Voice

Definition

Active voice is a grammatical structure where the subject of the sentence performs the action rather than receiving it, creating a more direct and engaging narrative. In sports writing, using active voice can enhance clarity and excitement, allowing readers to feel the energy of the action and connect more deeply with the events being described.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Using active voice typically results in shorter, punchier sentences that grab readers' attention more effectively than passive constructions.
2. In sports articles, active voice helps convey immediacy, making the action feel more vivid and real to readers who are following live events.
3. Journalists often favor active voice when crafting leads and headlines to create a sense of urgency and excitement around a story.
4. Active voice can enhance storytelling in long-form pieces by drawing readers into the narrative and helping them visualize the action as it unfolds.
5. Switching from passive to active voice can be an important revision strategy for writers looking to improve clarity and engagement in their sports features.

Review Questions

• How does the use of active voice influence the clarity and engagement in sports articles?
  • Using active voice enhances clarity by placing the subject upfront, making it clear who is doing what. This structure keeps readers engaged as they follow the action directly, rather than deciphering who is affected by it. In sports writing, where events can unfold quickly, active voice helps convey this immediacy and energy that readers crave.
• What are some common pitfalls associated with using passive voice in sports journalism, particularly when crafting leads or headlines?
  • Common pitfalls of using passive voice include creating vague or indirect leads that fail to captivate readers' attention. Passive constructions can make sentences longer and more cumbersome, which detracts from the urgency needed in sports journalism. Headlines written in passive voice may miss opportunities to hook readers, as they may not immediately convey who performed the action or why it matters.
• Evaluate the role of active voice in narrative techniques used in long-form sports writing compared to shorter articles.
  • In long-form sports writing, active voice plays a crucial role in maintaining reader interest throughout extended narratives. It allows for dynamic storytelling where readers can visualize plays and emotions vividly. While shorter articles benefit from the punchiness of active voice for quick updates, long-form pieces use it to build tension and pace through detailed scenes, making every moment feel impactful. This connection between narrative style and voice choice enhances the overall storytelling experience.

Related terms

Passive Voice: A grammatical structure where the subject receives the action instead of performing it, often making sentences less direct and engaging.

Verb Tense: The form of a verb that indicates the time of action or state of being, which can impact how active or passive a sentence feels.

Narrative Style: The way in which a story is told, including word choice and sentence structure, which can significantly affect reader engagement and understanding.