Lisa Sporte, freelance writer/editor
  • Home
  • Samples
    • Rebranding
    • Business communications
    • Articles
    • Article links
    • Websites & products
    • Personal
  • Blog
  • Testimonials

My musings

A few of my thoughts, in my own voice.

SAMPLES

Better business emails (part 4) 

7/28/2013

0 Comments

 
Today’s tip: Active vs. passive voice

I know, I know—that’s schoolmarm talk. But I’m serious here. It’s important for you to be aware of which style you use. 

Quick refresher: 
Active voice—to the point, engaging, and, well, active. The subject of your sentence is doing the action. For example, “The dog cornered the rabbit in the old abandoned shed.” 

Passive voice—roundabout and sometimes dull. The object of the sentence (the thing being acted on) gets to star. “The rabbit was cornered by the dog in the old abandoned shed.”

Nine times out of ten, you’d be wise to choose active over passive voice. It’s clearer, it gets the audience to the point (without their having to do excessive work) much faster, and it’s more fun to read. Plus, active voice typically uses fewer words, which, following my theme of “cut, cut, cut” when it comes to business emails, will mean less clutter on the screen. 

There is that one time out of ten, however, when you might purposefully choose to use passive voice. For example, if you think your reader will feel attacked by your message, you might use passive voice because it could feel safer to your reader, which could garner a less angry and perhaps even more favorable response. 

Just remember not to combine the two approaches. A mix of active and passive voice can become frustrating for a reader and might make you seem, by turns, confident and afraid. Choose the style you will use and be aware enough to stick with it through the entire email.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I’ve been inspired by many people and events. I hope to share at least a little of that inspiration. 

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.