When teaching writing, one of the most prevalent topics we encounter is voice—particularly the use of active versus passive constructions. Voice shapes the tone, flow, and impact of students' work, but should we always be pushing for active voice? While active voice does bring directness and energy, let's talk about why passive voice deserves a place in your classroom toolkit.
At a glance, active voice emphasizes the subject performing the action—simple and straightforward. Passive voice, on the other hand, shifts attention from the subject to the action or the object receiving the action. This subtle difference can be incredibly useful for your students, depending on the context. Let's explore why.
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| The teacher explains the lesson. | The lesson is explained by the teacher. |
| Researchers conducted the experiment carefully. | The experiment was conducted carefully by researchers. |
| We analyzed the data in detail. | The data was analyzed in detail. |
| The government implemented new policies. | New policies were implemented by the government. |
In each pair, notice how the passive voice places emphasis on the action or result, which can be beneficial in academic and formal writing. Encourage your students to experiment with both styles to see which best fits their purpose.
Why We’re So Attached to Active Voice
Active voice has long been the "gold standard" in writing instruction, especially in classrooms focused on clarity and reader engagement. Many of us were taught that active sentences are stronger, clearer, and generally better for helping students communicate. Traditionally, active voice makes sentences more dynamic, drawing the reader’s attention directly to the subject's action. But by sidelining passive voice, we might be missing some valuable teaching moments!
Sure, active voice makes sense for student engagement, and it feels natural to prioritize it. But let’s dig a little deeper into why passive voice isn’t something we should avoid outright—it actually has unique rhetorical strengths.
What Passive Voice Can Bring to the Table
First off, passive voice has its own important role in writing, especially in academic contexts where objectivity is valued. Take scientific writing, for example. In experiments and research, writers often use passive voice to focus on the findings rather than the researcher. It shifts the emphasis onto the results themselves—giving students a way to write about data without inserting themselves into the narrative.
In fields like history or social sciences, passive voice can also help convey a sense of objectivity or formality. For example, when writing about complex topics like violence against marginalized communities, passive voice is often used to focus on the issue itself, rather than assigning blame directly. While this approach has its own controversies, it demonstrates that passive voice can sometimes improve clarity by focusing the reader’s attention where it matters most (Baratta, "Revealing Stance through Passive Voice”).
When Should We Use Passive Voice in the Classroom?
The answer is balance. While active voice is great for simplicity and engagement, passive voice has its own place in certain contexts. The trick is helping students see when and why each approach works. Here are some questions to guide your students in deciding:
- Does the action itself matter more than who’s performing it? In some scientific or technical writing, passive voice may be better.
- Is the subject of the sentence unknown or irrelevant? Passive voice can help avoid unnecessary details and keep focus on the main idea.
- Are we aiming for a formal tone? Passive voice often adds a layer of formality, useful in academic essays or professional documents.
One well-known writer puts it this way: “Passive voice allows writers to emphasize actions or outcomes rather than the individuals performing them.” By framing passive voice as a tool, rather than a flaw, you can give students the flexibility they need to make conscious stylistic choices.
Active and Passive Voice as a Team
In the end, helping students become strong writers means giving them a full toolbox—not limiting them to one way of writing. By embracing both active and passive voice, you encourage your students to develop a richer, more nuanced style that’s appropriate for various audiences and purposes.
Encourage your students to experiment with both voices. Help them see that each choice has a purpose, and that learning to balance the two can make their writing clearer, more engaging, and more versatile. That way, they’ll walk away with writing skills that can adapt to the needs of any project or reader.
Conclusion: A Flexible Approach to Voice
Voice is more than just a writing rule; it’s a strategic choice that enhances communication. By opening up your students to both active and passive voice, you’ll empower them to become more thoughtful, adaptable writers. So next time you’re giving feedback on voice, consider how both active and passive constructions could benefit their work—and encourage them to find the balance that works best for their message!