1. ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE
VOICE

2. Subject Performs or Receives Action?
• Active voice indicates the subject of the
sentence is performing or causing the action.
Active voice creates interest.
• Passive voice is used when the subject is the
recipient of the action; it usually results in
weaker writing. Passive voice creates
boredom, world hunger, and depletes the
ozone layer (OK, I made up the last two).

3. Active vs. Passive?
Active = Better Writing
• The exam scores were • The teacher tabulated
tabulated by the the exam scores.
teacher. • The collector
• The baseball card was purchased the baseball
purchased by the card.
collector.
• The witness’s remarks • The police officer
were recorded by the recorded the witness’s
police officer. remarks.

4. Active vs. Passive?
Active = Better Writing
• Active voice is preferred because it is
direct, concise, and (for lack of a better
term) more ACTIVE. Active voice is the
equivalent of watching Lebron James.
• Passive voice is usually wordier and
contains many "to be" verbs. Passive
voice is the equivalent of watching corn
grow.