| p>Generally speaking, the passive voice of the | | | | writer's own passivity. The writer is perhaps |
| verb (the subject has the action done to it) is | | | | having difficulty coming to "ownership" of the |
| weaker than the active voice (the subject does | | | | topic. |
| the action) in involving the reader in your story. | | | | "The requirement to wear long sleeves was |
| That is crucial because as a memoir writer you | | | | rejected by the women" evinces less ownership |
| are not sharing ideas but recreating life | | | | than "The women rejected the requirement to |
| experiences to share. | | | | wear long sleeves." In the passive, the writer |
| "Mary baked a cake" is active. Mary, the subject | | | | does not own refusing to wear long sleeves. One |
| of the verb baked, is doing the action of baking. | | | | feels the writer seeks distance (even if |
| On the other hand, "A cake was baked by Mary" | | | | unconsciously) from the action. |
| is passive. Here Mary is not the subject. The | | | | If you use many passive constructions, ask |
| cake, which is being baked by Mary, is the | | | | yourself why you do so. Would using the active |
| subject. The action is being done to it. | | | | voice help you come to ownership of your |
| The passive voice has less impact than the active | | | | stories--and perhaps of your life? |
| voice. The reader will experience it as an evasive | | | | Remember that as memoir writer you want to |
| attempt on your part to not "own" the action of | | | | get your reader involved with the story. Nothing |
| the verb. | | | | does this better than the active voice. |
| Dependence on the passive voice may reveal the | | | | Good luck writing your memoir. |