Arguments

Using passive voice to organise important points

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An argument text will attempt to influence the reader's attitude, and skilful writers are constantly making decisions about whether active voice or passive voice will be more effective for their purposes. There are a number of reasons why a writer might want to use passive voice.

Passive voice can be exploited to focus on particular aspects of a situation which the writer wants to emphasise. One reason for choosing passive rather than active voice may be to make the person or thing affected the starting point of the clause:

Thousands of acres of our countryside are buried forever under ribbons of concrete and tarmac every year. (Two wheel solution)

The writer of this extract is presenting a vivid contrast between two images, one positive, and one negative. The first image evoked is of vast expanses of beautiful, unspoiled green countryside, which is immediately contrasted with the ugly, monotonous grey "ribbons of concrete and tarmac". Note that in order to make the contrast more striking, the writer has chosen to start with the positive image.

While the beginning of a clause tells us what the clause is about, the end of a clause usually contains information that will be new to the hearer or reader, or information that the speaker or writer wishes to present as the most important information in the clause:

Every few months a Government study or statement from an authoritative body claims that our motorway network is inadequate and must be extended. (Two wheel solution)

Another important reason for choosing passive voice is that it allows the writer the option of omitting the agent , which results in more concise writing:

Inevitably, objections will be raised [^] to the promotion of the motor cycle as the saviour of our environment. (Two wheel solution)

From the above example, it is clear that the "objections" would be raised by the general public, and because this is so obvious, there is no need to state this explicitly.

For further information about passive voice in general, see Using passive voice: Overview.