Advantages Of Active Voice In Journalism

Journalism articles are written with the intent to inform, educate, and engage readers. These objectives necessitate a careful consideration of the voice used in crafting the articles. The active voice, which places the subject of a sentence as the actor performing the action, has several advantages over the passive voice in journalism. Active voice conveys immediacy, clarity, and impact, enhancing the effectiveness of journalistic writing.

Should Journalism Articles Be Written in Active Voice?

When it comes to journalism, the active voice is often seen as the more effective choice. But what exactly is the active voice, and why is it so important?

What Is Active Voice?

In active voice, the subject of the sentence is performing the action. For example:

  • Active voice: The dog chased the ball.
  • Passive voice: The ball was chased by the dog.

As you can see, the active voice is more concise and direct than the passive voice. It also makes it clear who is performing the action.

Why Should Journalism Articles Be Written in Active Voice?

There are several reasons why you should use active voice in your journalism articles:

  • Clarity: Active voice is more clear and concise than passive voice. It makes it easier for readers to understand who is doing what.
  • Impact: Active voice is more impactful than passive voice. It creates a sense of immediacy and urgency.
  • Conciseness: Active voice is more concise than passive voice. It uses fewer words to convey the same meaning.
  • Objectivity: Active voice is more objective than passive voice. It avoids placing blame or responsibility on any particular person or group.

When to Use Passive Voice

While active voice is generally the preferred choice for journalism articles, there are some cases where passive voice may be more appropriate. For example, you may want to use passive voice when:

  • The subject of the sentence is unknown or unimportant.
  • You want to emphasize the action rather than the actor.
  • You want to avoid placing blame or responsibility on any particular person or group.

Examples of Active and Passive Voice

The following table shows examples of sentences in both active and passive voice:

Active Voice Passive Voice
The dog chased the ball. The ball was chased by the dog.
The reporter wrote the article. The article was written by the reporter.
The police arrested the suspect. The suspect was arrested by the police.

Conclusion

In general, you should use active voice in your journalism articles. Active voice is more clear, concise, impactful, and objective than passive voice. However, there are some cases where passive voice may be more appropriate.

Question 1:

Why is using active voice important in journalism articles?

Answer:

Active voice directly attributes the action to the subject, resulting in clearer, more concise writing. It helps readers understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals and organizations involved in the news story. Additionally, active voice enhances readability and engagement by making the text more dynamic and compelling.

Question 2:

How does active voice contribute to readability and understanding in journalism articles?

Answer:

Active voice eliminates ambiguity and misinterpretation by establishing a clear relationship between the subject and verb. It allows readers to quickly identify who is performing the action and what is being done, improving comprehension. By using active voice, journalists can create articles that are easy to read and digest, enhancing the reader’s experience.

Question 3:

What are the potential drawbacks of using passive voice in journalism articles?

Answer:

Passive voice can weaken the impact of the writing by distancing the subject from the action and creating a sense of ambiguity. It can make articles less engaging and less credible, as it suggests a lack of clarity and responsibility. Passive voice may also lead to wordiness and the inclusion of unnecessary phrases, which can compromise the clarity and brevity of the news story.

Well, there you have it, folks! The active voice debate in journalism. It’s a topic that’s sure to keep editors and writers arguing for years to come. But one thing we can all agree on is that clear, concise writing is essential for effective communication. So, next time you’re reading a news article, take a moment to consider the voice being used. And if you’re ever unsure about whether to use active or passive voice, err on the side of active. Your readers will thank you for it. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back for more lively discussions on the art of writing!

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