By Barbara McNichol
I agonize over how to help authors, business professionals, and WordShop students use their writing voice in interesting, meaningful ways.
Good writing requires more than just grammar and spelling. It’s style, catching someone’s attention, and making readers understand the conviction behind the words.
In my experience, one writing technique stands above all others…it adds power and memorability, and it makes writing good reading. Read on!
Pop Quiz
You’ve likely heard that people prefer the active voice over the passive. But do you know why?
Answer
Writing in the active writing voice is powerful and dynamic. It catches and holds the reader’s attention far better than passive statements. The passive writing voice is a little “weasley.” It hides responsibility for action, and it can be ambiguous, confusing, and boring.
Furthermore,
- The active voice conveys ideas quickly and directly.
- The active voice clearly spells out the action and who is doing it.
- The active voice frequently requires fewer words than passive sentences—helpful when space is limited.
Which is Which?
In a sentence written in the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. In a sentence written in the passive voice, the subject receives the action.
Examples:
- Active – I created Word Trippers Tips ADVANTAGE Program and I guarantee it will make you a better writer.
- Passive – The Word Trippers Tips ADVANTAGE Program was created to make you a better writer.
It’s True. My Word Trippers Tips ADVANTAGE Program will absolutely make you a better writer.
You’ll find nothing else like this program. It’s easy. Fun. And available for less than the price of a new outfit. (And think how many new outfits you can buy with a higher-paying job because you wrote a powerful résumé and cover letter.)
Not a book … not a course … this program takes almost no time every week to absorb.
