Doctored

02/05/2023

Celtic fans making it clear how they feel about the coronation #1888 #1967

01/06/2021

Re-read the last journal article you read!

24/03/2020

To be active or passive, that is the question ...

I wrote the following in a recent response to a client, and I thought it was worth sharing.

The active versus passive debate is a longstanding one, but definitely favours active. Over the last decade or so, for example, there has been a clear shift for higher-tier journals to require active writing in preference, allowing for the use of personal pronouns to accommodate this shift (e.g., 'We did the experiment' rather than 'The experiment was done'). This is argued on several grounds, but perhaps the most compelling are accuracy (if you actually DID something, then you should say so) and conciseness/readability (active prose tends to use fewer words and has better flow).

However, there are still many instances where passive language is useful, consistent with older standards – this is especially relevant where you are hedging/unsure or where the actor is irrelevant. Other situations I can think of include:
1. To emphasize the subject rather than the actor ('the patient was bitten by a dog' may be more relevant than 'a dog bit the patient' because the patient is your focus, not the dog).
2. To keep the subject and focus consistent in a given passage (if you start a paragraph emphasizing the subject, and the next sentence is related, you may be best to stay in the passive).
3. If you do not wish to name the subject (Rather than 'Rob made an error in the edit', use 'an error was made in the edit').
4. A journal specifically states that you should use passive/avoid active language in a particular section. This may be a house style for consistency across their journal.

As you can see, usage will shift according to need and readability, but should generally be active. A problem for those of us who follow British English conventions is that we naturally write passively or feel the need to keep the subject more prominent. Alas, this can be a massive problem when editors/reviewers assess work as basic details that you have taken for granted may not be clear. In short, write actively unless the above apply.

10/02/2019

We all do this.

10/02/2019

The imperialism of Text

07/02/2019

When I lose control. . .

13/07/2018

Good reminder!

©2017 The University of Chicago Music: Blues Country, courtesy Techsmith Camtasia More help with official Chicago style: Turabian tip sheets for student pape...

13/07/2018

It's a bit of progress, but do publishers need to move with the times. Would interests be better served with open access publication?

ResearchGate is well-determined upon fighting against copyright infringement as it collaborates with SpringerNature, Cambridge University Press and Thieme.

22/06/2018

Transcription
Tweet from Dad Jokes: A lumberjack went into a magic forest to cut down a tree. Upon arrival, he started to swing at the tree when it shouted "Wait, I'm a talking tree!"

The lumberjack grinned and said: "And you will dialogue."

08/04/2018

Irrespective of your target journal, following ICMJE guidance is increasingly a prerequisite for publication. Make sure you are compliant.

08/04/2018

Want to make some objectives? Make them SMART!

SMART is a mnemonic acronym, giving criteria to guide in the setting of objectives, for example in project management, employee-performance management and personal development. The letters S and M usually mean specific and measurable. Possibly the most common version has the remaining letters referr...