What is a key characteristic of active voice in writing?

What is a key characteristic of active voice in writing?

• A. It obscures responsibility
• B. It clarifies who must do what
• C. It is more complex than passive voice
• D. It often uses technical jargon

Answer: (B)

A key characteristic of active voice in writing is that it clarifies who must do what. In active voice constructions, the subject of the sentence performs the action rather than receiving it, which directly reveals the agent or doer of the action. This clarity is particularly important in documents aiming to guide action or provide instructions, as it ensures that the reader understands exactly who is responsible for each part of the task or statement. For example, in a sentence like "The manager approved the project," the subject (the manager) is clearly identified as the one taking action, thus leaving no ambiguity about responsibility. In contrast, options such as obscuring responsibility, being more complex, or using technical jargon do not align with the purpose of active voice. Obscuring responsibility is typically a trait of passive voice, which can lead to confusion about who is responsible for an action. Complexity and jargon can detract from the clarity and directness that the active voice aims to provide, making the writing less accessible and harder to understand.

A key characteristic of active voice in writing is that it clarifies who must do what. In active voice constructions, the subject of the sentence performs the action rather than receiving it, which directly reveals the agent or doer of the action. This clarity is particularly important in documents aiming to guide action or provide instructions, as it ensures that the reader understands exactly who is responsible for each part of the task or statement. For example, in a sentence like "The manager approved the project," the subject (the manager) is clearly identified as the one taking action, thus leaving no ambiguity about responsibility.

In contrast, options such as obscuring responsibility, being more complex, or using technical jargon do not align with the purpose of active voice. Obscuring responsibility is typically a trait of passive voice, which can lead to confusion about who is responsible for an action. Complexity and jargon can detract from the clarity and directness that the active voice aims to provide, making the writing less accessible and harder to understand.