Passive Voice in Argumentative Writing
6 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of passive voice in a sentence?

  • The sentence is in active voice
  • The subject performs the action described by the verb
  • The verb is in the present tense
  • The subject receives the action described by the verb (correct)

    • What is a common indicator of passive voice in a sentence?

  • Verbs ending in '-ed' or '-en' (correct)
  • Pronouns starting with 'he' or 'she'
  • Adverbs starting with 'ly'
  • Verbs ending in '-ing'

    • Why can passive voice lead to ambiguity in writing?

  • Because it is difficult to identify the actor (correct)
  • Because it is never used in persuasive writing
  • Because it is easy to identify the actor
  • Because it is always clear who is performing the action

    • What is a benefit of using active voice in persuasive writing?

    <p>It improves clarity and persuasive power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might someone use passive voice in a sentence?

    <p>To evade responsibility or shift blame</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of using passive voice in persuasive writing?

    <p>It weakens the impact of evidence and claims</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    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.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser