This is Why You Should Write in Active Voice

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of using active voice in writing to convey personal responsibility, engage readers, and build trust through experience and proof.

Abstract

The author advocates for the use of active voice in writing, particularly on platforms like Medium, arguing that it instills a sense of personal responsibility and accountability. Active voice is presented as more compelling and trustworthy, as it suggests the writer speaks from experience and is willing to prove their claims. This is contrasted with passive voice, which is common in corporate communication but considered less effective for engaging an audience. The article also critiques the overuse of "How-to" titles, suggesting they lack the impact of titles written in active voice. The author invites readers to reflect on their own writing habits and consider the benefits of actively taking responsibility in their narrative.

Opinions

Active voice is favored for its ability to establish personal responsibility and credibility.
Readers are more likely to trust and follow writers who use active voice and provide proof of their experiences.
Passive voice is seen as less engaging and is associated with a lack of accountability, often used in corporate settings under the guise of professionalism.
"How-to" titles are deemed ineffective compared to titles crafted in active voice, as they lack personal responsibility.
The author acknowledges the challenge of breaking away from passive voice, especially for those with a corporate background, and emphasizes the ongoing effort required to write effectively in active voice.
The article suggests that writing in active voice is a key strategy for building an audience online.

Why is active voice so powerful?

One thing: personal responsibility.

With the second title, you take personal responsibility for this result of $500. So people will expect you to prove that.

Even more, they’ll count on you to prove that.

Active voice also suggests you talk from experience. People wanna hear that. They seek others who have similar problems and learn how to solve them.

It’s a subconscious process. You’d rather trust people who take personal responsibility and speak from experience, especially if they also prove it.

The shortcut to building an audience online: personal responsibility + proof = trust.

It’s like a trust game. Your readers trust you blindly with their time, because they feel they can count on you to help them solve or learn whatever they’re trying to.

Image created by Author using Canva

It’s the same reason why “How-to” titles don’t work anymore. They never did, at least not like titles in full active voice. Even though they’re not classic passive voice, they still lack personal responsibility. I wrote about this here:

With passive voice no one takes responsibility.

You don’t know if someone achieved that $500 mark or not.

The funny thing: passive voice is so very welcome in the business world, especially big corporations. They call it a “professional tone”, because you don’t “show emotions”. But it also kills their efficiency as nobody takes action unless kicked in the but (I’m usually the kicker…hahah).

Image created by Author using Canva

My guess: it’s why so many writers use it, especially people like me, who come from the corporate environment.

I was there too. I used passive voice like always. And I had to kick myself now really hard to change that.

And I still catch myself starting a sentence the wrong way 🙄 It’s a constant effort I guess…

What about you?

WRITING TIPS

This is Why You Should Write in Active Voice

Forget about passive voice. Active voice is the new normal. This is why.

Why is active voice so powerful?

“How-To” Titles Don’t Work Anymore!

If you want to have a powerful hook in your titles, read this!

With passive voice no one takes responsibility.

Thanks for reading!

Read or Die — Publication Rules

Updated January 2024 Guidelines