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Stolaroid Stories

"Avoid the Passive Voice" Is Nonsense (rant😅)

Jul 12, 2024
Challenging the notion of avoiding the passive voice in writing, showcasing examples where it can enhance clarity and impact in writing.
08:32

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Passive voice can be beneficial in emphasizing the recipient of an action.
  • Avoid blanket advice against passive voice, focus on clarity and context instead.

Deep dives

Importance and Function of Passive Voice

The podcast challenges the common advice to avoid using the passive voice in writing, arguing that the passive voice serves a specific purpose in conveying focus on the recipient of the action. Examples from Stephen King's 'On Writing' are mentioned to showcase deliberate use of the passive voice to emphasize certain elements within a narrative. The passive voice is deemed necessary in situations where highlighting the receiver rather than the doer of an action is essential, especially when the doer is unknown or when it aids in maintaining narrative cohesion.

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