Passive Voice in Argumentative Writing

Identifying Passive Voice

• Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence receives the action described by the verb.
• Common indicators of passive voice:
  • Verbs ending in "-ed" or "-en" (e.g., "was written," "has been studied")
  • Phrases like "by [agent]" (e.g., "by the researchers," "by the government")
  • Lack of clear agency or actor

Reducing Ambiguity

• Passive voice can lead to ambiguity, making it unclear who is performing the action.
• To reduce ambiguity:
  • Use active voice instead (e.g., "The researcher conducted the study" instead of "The study was conducted")
  • Identify the agent or actor performing the action
  • Use clear and specific language to convey meaning

Clarity in Persuasive Writing

• Passive voice can weaken persuasive writing by:
  • Creating ambiguity and confusion
  • Reducing the impact of evidence and claims
  • Making arguments less convincing
• Using active voice and clear language can improve clarity and persuasive power in argumentative writing.

Evading Responsibility

• Passive voice can be used to evade responsibility or shift blame.
• Examples:
  • "Mistakes were made" instead of "I made mistakes"
  • "The decision was made" instead of "I decided"
• Avoid using passive voice to evade responsibility and instead take ownership of actions and decisions.

Strengthening Arguments

• Using active voice and clear language can strengthen arguments by:
  • Making claims more direct and assertive
  • Increasing the sense of agency and authority
  • Enhancing persuasive power and credibility
• In argumentative writing, it is essential to use clear and concise language to effectively convey arguments and persuade the audience.