Technical writing is a specialized form of writing that is used to convey complex ideas and instructions in a concise and clear manner. It is often used in various fields such as technology, science, engineering, and medical industries. One of the most important aspects of technical writing is the proper use of voice. In this article, we will discuss the importance of using active voice in technical writing.
Active voice is a writing style where the subject of a sentence performs the action directly. This means that the subject is acting upon the verb and producing the action. Using active voice in technical writing can make your content more engaging, easy to read, and understandable. It can also help to convey the intended message more clearly and concisely.
In contrast, using passive voice in technical writing can create confusion, ambiguity, and even give the impression that the writer is trying to avoid responsibility. Passive voice occurs when the object of the sentence is the focus of the sentence, and the subject is either absent or played a minor role. Passive voice can be effective in some instances, but in technical writing, it can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
Here are some reasons why active voice is preferable in technical writing:
Clarity
The primary goal of technical writing is to convey complex ideas and instructions in a clear and concise manner. Active voice helps to achieve this goal by making the text more straightforward and direct. Active voice also helps to avoid ambiguity because it is clear who is doing what.
For example, “The engineer designed the product” is a clear and direct sentence that conveys the intended message. However, “The product was designed by the engineer” is less clear and may lead to confusion.
Engagement
Active voice is also more engaging and interesting for the reader. A text that uses active voice is more likely to capture the reader’s attention and keep them engaged. This is because active voice makes the text more lively and dynamic.
For example, “The experiment demonstrated that the hypothesis was correct” is more engaging than “It was demonstrated by the experiment that the hypothesis was correct.”
Conciseness
Using active voice in technical writing can help to make the text more concise. Active voice eliminates unnecessary words and makes the content more efficient.
For example, “The system was impacted by the virus” can be shortened to “The virus impacted the system.” This makes the sentence more concise and clearer.
Voice is an essential aspect of technical writing that can make or break the effectiveness of the text. Active voice is preferred in technical writing because it helps to make the content clear, engaging, and concise. It helps the reader to understand the message that is being conveyed and reduces the likelihood of confusion and misunderstandings.
In conclusion, using active voice in technical writing is important because it helps to achieve the intended purpose of the text by making it clear, engaging, and concise. If you are a technical writer, it is important to learn how to use active voice and master it to create compelling and effective content.
