Re: [Phys-l] Writing a review or lab report

[William Robertson <wrobert9@ix.netcom.com>]

There are, in fact, times when passive voice is appropriate, but those  
times are few. Rather than hiding information, it is more like  
laziness in composing sentences. Passive is easier to compose because  
it isn't as specific, and of course it's easier to follow the lead of  
many professional articles in academia that use passive voice  
extensively. My main concern with requiring passive voice in a physics  
report is that it harms students in other courses where they must  
compose coherent and direct papers. Passive to active is difficult  
enough for many to learn without a requirement that they go against  
proper writing procedures.

Bill



On May 2, 2011, at 4:29 PM, Bernard Cleyet wrote:

> Strunk and white:  Elementary rules:  #14 Use the active voice.
>
> Word complains when It detects passive voice.
>
> bc thinks the passive voice is used to hide information.