Embrace Tigger's Spirit in Your Writing Style
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Chapter 1: The Power of Active Voice
In this ongoing series of daily writing tips, we share insights and recommendations aimed at enhancing your craft. While everyone has unique perspectives on writing, the advice presented here is a personal selection that I hope you find beneficial. Feel free to contribute your own thoughts in the comments section.
Today's focus is on the importance of employing the active voice rather than the passive voice to create more vibrant and compelling writing. To illustrate the distinction between these two styles, consider the following examples:
Passive: Joe Biden's dog bit me.
Active: I was bitten by Joe Biden's dog.
Which version do you find more engaging? While avoiding dog bites is ideal, the active voice is typically more captivating. Here’s another comparison:
Passive: Medium's readers recognized the outstanding brilliance of my article.
Active: The outstanding brilliance of my article was recognized by readers of Medium.
Which phrasing do you prefer? You might not care much, especially if you're reveling in the praise. Here’s one more example:
Passive: The tax bill made me angry.
Active: I was made angry by my tax bill.
Notice how the active constructions are generally more straightforward and concise. This brief video clip elucidates the differences between active and passive voices, complete with examples:
Most writing advice advocates for the frequent use of the active voice, as it injects energy and clarity into your prose. Passive constructions, on the other hand, can feel awkward and cumbersome, something no writer desires.
This notion of energy reminds me of a recent article I came across on Medium, which compared characters from A. A. Milne's "Winnie the Pooh" series. You can visualize active sentences as Tiggers—lively, energetic, and the life of any gathering. In contrast, passive sentences resemble Eeyores—victimized and devoid of initiative, they embody a dreary tone.
The esteemed writer George Orwell, known for his six writing rules discussed in our previous tips, was a staunch supporter of using the active voice. While there are varied opinions on this topic, there are certainly moments when employing passive voice can serve a purpose in your writing. After all, some rules are meant to be bent, especially in political discourse! For a deeper dive into the nuances of both voices, check out this detailed Wikipedia article.
In conclusion, I align with George Orwell and many others who advocate that, as a general principle, the active voice reigns supreme. Our aim in writing is often to be concise, lively, and engaging, steering clear of the sluggish prose typically associated with the passive voice. To create vibrant and readable content, let your sentences bounce with Tigger-like energy rather than Eeyore's gloom!
I hope you find this article insightful and encourage you to share your own tips in the comments.
Previous Tips:
Day 23 — Dedication — time, place, space
Day 22 — On spell-checking, Grammarly and proof-reading
Day 21 — The five unspoken commandments of Medium
Day 20 — George Orwell's six tips on writing style
Day 19 — The importance of interaction
Day 18 — Replying to comments
Day 17 — Engagement
Day 16 — Attention-seeking behavior — the importance of your first sentence
Day 15 — Keep it snappy — headlines
Day 14 — Subject selection
Day 13 — Making time
Day 12 — Deadlines
Day 11 — Layout
Day 10 — Niches for Riches
Day 9 — Do your own research
Day 8 — Choosing your subject
Day 7 — Reverse engineering success
Day 6 — Planning
Day 5 — Location
Day 4 — Dictionary and thesaurus
Day 3 — Quotations
Day 2 — Mind your language — learning new words
Day 1 — The Notebook
Chapter 2: Engaging with Your Readers
To further explore the art of writing and engage with your audience, watch this video about using AI tools like ChatGPT to assist authors in their writing process.