Activate Your Writing

Many projects and programs seek to take action against a problem. However, a lot of writing suffers from an overuse of passive language, which can make your message seem weak or underwhelming.

Sentences can be either active or passive; the distinction is in whether or not there is someone or something performing the action.

The classic example of a passive sentence comes from Richard Nixon following the Watergate ordeal. As Nixon stated in a press conference, “Mistakes were made.”

Notice that this sentence does not have a specific person or entity making the mistake. It is definitely a savvy piece of political writing since it isn't directly placing the blame anywhere—but it is the exact opposite of what we want to do when we are highlighting successes.

Let's say that you are seeking continuation funding for a program. In detailing the results, you say, “Seventy children were helped.” The children were helped by what or whom? There is no specific agent doing the helping. Even if you write, “Seventy children were helped by the program,” you are selling the program short by relegating it to an addition at the end of the sentence....