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Subject:RE: Active versus passive From:Sharon Deitch <sharon -at- sintecmedia -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 21 Dec 2000 13:06:31 +0200
Hi Mike,
I'm afraid I wasn't clear. Research (sorry that I can't provide precise
details) has shown that readers often turn passive sentences around in their
heads in order to better understand the text. After I learned this, I
started paying attention when reading and found that I frequently turn them
around myself. The passive voice can be less clear and can require the
reader to devote more energy to understanding the material.
You offer this example of a process: The laundry is sorted, washed, dried
and folded. I agree that the sentence is fine as it stands. However, I
suggest that the following is more easily understood at first reading: I
sort, wash, dry, and fold the laundry.
In technical writing, the clearer we make our writing, and the less work we
require of the user while reading the documentation, the better. Therefore,
I try to write as much as possible in the active voice. Of course, I do not
follow this rule blindly. When I think leaving a sentence in the passive
voice creates greater understanding, such as when the actor truly unknown or
there can be multiple actors, I stet it. Otherwise, I rewrite it.
I'm sorry if I came across overly strong. I certainly meant no disrespect.
Season's greetings,
Sharon
Sharon Deitch
Technical Writer
SintecMedia
Jerusalem, Israel
sharon -at- sintecmedia -dot- com
"It’s amazing how much easier it is for a team to work together when no one
has any idea where they’re going." Despair, Inc.
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