Write A Paper For College Literature Classes printable pdf download

Write A Paper For College Literature Classes

How to Write Clear, Concise, and Direct Sentences

1. Unless you have a reason not to, use the active voice.

At the heart of every good sentence is a strong, precise verb; the converse is true as well--at the

core of most confusing, awkward, or wordy sentences lies a weak verb.

Passive

a. It is believed by the candidate that a ceiling must be placed on the budget by

Congress.

Active

b. The candidate believes that Congress must place a ceiling on the budget.

Passive

c. It was earlier demonstrated that heart attacks can be caused by high stress.

Active

d. Brown earlier showed that high stress can cause heart attacks.

There are sometimes good reasons to use the passive voice:

! To emphasize the action rather than the actor.

e. After long debate, the proposal was endorsed by the long-range planning

committee.

! To keep the subject and focus consistent throughout a passage.

The data processing department recently presented what proved to be a

controversial proposal to expand its staff. After long debate, the proposal

was endorsed by . . . .

! To be tactful by not naming the actor.

g. The procedures were somehow misinterpreted.

! To describe a condition in which the actor is unknown or unimportant.

h. Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed as having cancer.

! To create an authoritative tone.

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Write A Paper For College Literature Classes