1.03 Crafting a Voice

All good writing has a distinct voice in it. That is why it is so easy for your teachers to tell when you have plagiarized. You may have heard, "This isn't your voice," if you accidentally copied too much information from another source.

Voice is often based on the point of view of the person writing the selection; it reflects a particular set of attitudes that allow readers to hear the words spoken in their heads in a specific tone.

Voice is the way the author discusses a subject, revealing the author's personality as well as his or her beliefs and feelings about a particular subject.

Read the passage below.

I went running with friends. They brought their two dogs. It was so hot outside. It rained on us as we jogged down the road. The dogs liked getting wet. It was a fun day.

Does the author convey his or her voice? How does the reader know? What can be inferred about the author of this piece? See answer. The author uses simple sentences to give a bland experience about going running. The voice is mundane.

Now, read the next passage.

One scorching August afternoon, my friends and I jogged down the river walk. Scout and Lulu, their two energetic golden retrievers, tagged along. After two miles into the run, a summer shower sprinkled down on us. Small drops of water pelted down on our bodies as we trotted back to the cars. The dogs' paws pounded heavily on the pavement and through the grass causing mud to splatter onto our legs. We could see our cars in the empty parking lot ahead. To the right, an abandoned playground. We veered right.

Does the author convey his or her voice? How does the reader know? What can be inferred about the author of this piece? See answer. The author provides rich details by using specific word choice or diction. The readers know when and where the running is taking place. The author is having fun because it shows through the writing.

 

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Since many things factor into the writer's voice like usage, syntax, diction, and punctuation, let's look closely at writing in active voice rather than passive voice.

Passive voice verbs should be avoided unless you are purposely trying to avoid specifying who or what performed the action of the verb. Look at the example below:

The dog was walked by Kyle. Kyle is the object of the preposition by, and the dog is the subject.

In situations where blame is trying to be avoided, passive voice may be preferred. Look at the example below:

The mistake could have been prevented by closer attention to detail. In this sentence, the writer does not want to identify the mistake-maker, so he uses passive voice.

 

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Using active voice verbs strengthens your writing. Whenever you can, you should use active voice. Active voice verbs have subjects which perform their actions.

Active voice is preferred for most writing. You can check for active voice by identifying the subject of the verb in the sentence. If the subject performs the action, the verb is active. If the subject does not perform the action, the verb is passive. Look at the example below:

Kyle walked the dog. Kyle is doing the action and is the subject of the verb walked.

1. Choose the sentence that is written in active voice.

The young boy ate two cheeseburgers.
Two cheeseburgers were eaten by the young boy.

2. Choose the sentence that is written in active voice.

Jackie named her puppy Roxie.
The puppy was named Roxie by Jackie.

3. Choose the sentence that is written in active voice.

At the end of the concert, the drumsticks were thrown into the crowd.
At the end of the concert, the drummer threw his drumsticks into the crowd.

Watch the Active and Passive Voice video below.

Active and Passive Voice

 

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