Writing Prompt ~ Passive Voice

Posted by: Tara Benwell Writing Prompt

Writing Prompt: To use the passive voice in English, you need to know the past participle of the main verb in your sentence. Though it is a good idea to use the active voice whenever possible, some styles of writing do use the passive voice. Review the rules for constructing a sentence in the passive voice. Then write a short obituary (a mini biography about someone who died) using the passive voice.

Example

Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014)

Maya Angelou was known around the world as a powerful writer and civil rights activist. Her books and poems were read by millions of people. In the early years, Maya Angelou was raised by her grandmother. When she got older, she was returned to her birth mother. Even though she didn’t go to university, she was awarded many honorary degrees. Her wise lectures were enjoyed by many students on graduation day, and her positive attitude was appreciated by many world leaders and figureheads. Maya Angelou was invited to speak at President Clinton’s inauguration and was often cited as Oprah Winfrey’s mentor. A number of articles, tributes and tweets were written about this inspiring woman after she died on May 28, 2014. She was 86 years old.

Written by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
© EnglishClub.com

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