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Clear Science Writing
Clear Science Writing
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In addition to being awkward, sentences written in the passive voice, if not constructed carefully,
may contain grammatical errors such as dangling modifiers.
Changing from passive to active voice corrects the error and strengthens the sentence:
Dangling: To investigate the source of nutrients, eggshell membranes were compared. (incorrect
passive)
Correction: To investigate the source of nutrients, we compared eggshell membranes. (active)
Dangling: After analyzing the samples, the plants were measured daily. (incorrect passive)
Correction: After analyzing the samples, we measured the plants daily. (active)
Despite these disadvantages, the passive voice has a legitimate place in writing. In addition to
allowing an author to vary the sentence structure, the passive voice has other important
functions. To learn more, see "The Value of the Passive Voice."
Summary
For vigorous, clear writing, opt for the active voice unless you have good reasons for choosing
the passive voice.
Choose the passive voice when the performer is unknown or when you want to focus on the
action or the recipient of the action.
Writing from the first-person point of view (I, we), when necessary and natural, is accepted and
encouraged by many journals. If you are not sure about a specific journal, however, study its
guidelines and recent issues to get a feel for the journal's perspective on the passive voice and
first-person pronouns.
When is a good time to use the passive voice in scientific writing? Read the article "The Value of
the Passive Voice" to learn more.
Sources
1. Watson JD, Crick FHC. Molecular structure of nucleic acids. Nature. 1953;171:737-738.
2. Iverson C, Christiansen S, Flanagin A, et al. AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors
and Editors. 10th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2007.
6. Westbrook G, Cooper L. Writing tips: Techniques for clear scientific writing and editing.
The Society for Neuroscience Web site:The Journal of Neuroscience. http://
www.jneurosci.org. Accessed March 5, 2009.
7. Guidelines for authors. International Society for the Study of Trauma Web site: The
Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. http://www.isst-d.org/jtd/journal-trauma-dissociation-
info-for-authors.htm. Accessed March 5, 2009.
8. How to write a paper: writing for a Nature journal. Nature Publishing Group Web
site: Nature. http://www.nature.com/authors/author_services/how_write.html. Accessed
March 4, 2009.
9. Guide for authors. Elsevier Web site: Ophthalmology: Journal of the American Academy
of Ophthalmology. http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/
620418/authorinstructions. Accessed March 5, 2009.
10. Some notes on Science style. American Association for the Advancement of Science Web
site: Science. http://www.sciencemag.org/about/authors/prep/res/style.dtl. Accessed
March 4, 2009.
Clear Science Writing: Active Voice or Passive Voice?
In addition to being awkward, sentences written in the passive voice, if not constructed carefully, may
contain grammatical errors such as dangling modifiers.
Changing from passive to active voice corrects the error and strengthens the sentence:
Dangling: To investigate the source of nutrients, eggshell membranes were compared. (incorrect
passive)
Correction: To investigate the source of nutrients, we compared eggshell membranes. (active)
Dangling: After analyzing the samples, the plants were measured daily. (incorrect passive)
Correction: After analyzing the samples, we measured the plants daily. (active)
Despite these disadvantages, the passive voice has a legitimate place in writing. In addition to
allowing an author to vary the sentence structure, the passive voice has other important functions.
To learn more, see "The Value of the Passive Voice."
Summary
For vigorous, clear writing, opt for the active voice unless you have good reasons for choosing the
passive voice.
Choose the passive voice when the performer is unknown or when you want to focus on the action
or the recipient of the action.
Writing from the first-person point of view (I, we), when necessary and natural, is accepted and
encouraged by many journals. If you are not sure about a specific journal, however, study its
guidelines and recent issues to get a feel for the journal's perspective on the passive voice and first-
person pronouns.
When is a good time to use the passive voice in scientific writing? Read the article "The Value of the
Passive Voice" to learn more.
Sources
1. Watson JD, Crick FHC. Molecular structure of nucleic acids. Nature. 1953;171:737-738.
2. Iverson C, Christiansen S, Flanagin A, et al. AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and
Editors. 10th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2007.
5. The essentials of BMJ style. BMJ Publishing Group Web site: British Medical Journal. http://
resources.bmj.com/bmj/authors/bmj-house-style. Accessed March 5, 2009.
6. Westbrook G, Cooper L. Writing tips: Techniques for clear scientific writing and editing. The
Society for Neuroscience Web site:The Journal of Neuroscience. http://www.jneurosci.org.
Accessed March 5, 2009.
7. Guidelines for authors. International Society for the Study of Trauma Web site: The Journal of
Trauma & Dissociation. http://www.isst-d.org/jtd/journal-trauma-dissociation-info-for-
authors.htm. Accessed March 5, 2009.
8. How to write a paper: writing for a Nature journal. Nature Publishing Group Web
site: Nature. http://www.nature.com/authors/author_services/how_write.html. Accessed March
4, 2009.
9. Guide for authors. Elsevier Web site: Ophthalmology: Journal of the American Academy of
Ophthalmology. http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620418/
authorinstructions. Accessed March 5, 2009.
10. Some notes on Science style. American Association for the Advancement of Science Web
site: Science. http://www.sciencemag.org/about/authors/prep/res/style.dtl. Accessed March 4,
2009.