Nursing capstone projects are essential components of nursing education that require students to synthesize and integrate knowledge, skills, and values acquired throughout their nursing education. Success in nursing capstone projects depends heavily on the student’s ability to write effectively. Effective writing not only demonstrates a clear understanding of the subject matter but also reflects the ability to communicate complex ideas and findings in a clear and concise manner. Using active voice in writing can help achieve these goals. In this article, we will discuss the concept of active voice in writing, its benefits, tips for using it effectively, common mistakes to avoid, and much more.
What is Active Voice?
Active voice is a style of writing that emphasizes the subject of a sentence by placing it at the beginning of the sentence. In contrast, passive voice emphasizes the object of the sentence and places it at the beginning of the sentence. The use of active voice in writing makes sentences more straightforward, concise, and easier to understand. Here are some examples of sentences in active and passive voice:
Active Voice:
The nurse administered the medication.
Passive Voice:
The medication was administered by the nurse.
Benefits of Using Active Voice in Nursing Capstone Project Writing
There are several benefits of using active voice in nursing capstone project writing. They include:
More Clarity in Conveying Thoughts and Ideas
Active voice makes it clear who is doing what in a sentence. This clarity can help readers understand the writer’s thoughts and ideas better.
Provides a Direct and Concise Communication Method
Active voice eliminates unnecessary words and phrases, allowing for direct and concise communication.
Improves Readability and Engagement
Active voice can help improve readability and engagement by making sentences more interesting and easier to follow.
Increases Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Active voice encourages critical thinking and problem-solving by requiring writers to be clear and concise in their writing, helping them communicate their ideas more effectively.
Tips for Using Active Voice in Nursing Capstone Project Writing
Here are some tips to help you use active voice in your nursing capstone project writing effectively:
Writing in the first person
Using “I” or “we” in your nursing capstone project writing helps to make the writing more personal.
Eliminating unnecessary words and phrases
Eliminating wordy sentences and replacing passive verbs with active verbs can make your writing more concise.
Shifting the focus of the sentence to the subject
Putting the emphasis on the subject of the sentence helps make the writing more focused and engaging.
Starting the sentence with the subject
Starting with the subject makes it clear who is doing what in the sentence, making it easier to understand.
Varying sentence structure
Using different sentence structures can help add variety and interest to your writing, making it more engaging for your readers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Active Voice
To avoid the pitfalls of using active voice ineffectively, here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Overuse of the same sentence structure
Using the same sentence structure repeatedly can make your writing sound monotonous and dull.
Using vague or unclear language
Vague or unclear language can lead to confusion and make it difficult for your readers to understand your ideas.
Avoiding the use of the word “I”
Using “I” in your writing can help make it more personal and engaging. Simply avoiding the word “I” can make your writing sound detached and impersonal.
When to Use Passive Voice
There are instances where passive voice is acceptable, such as when the object of the sentence is more important than the subject. Here are some examples of when passive voice may be used in nursing capstone project writing:
- When emphasizing the action or process rather than the person or entity carrying out the action.
- When it is unknown who carried out the action.
- When avoiding specifying who carried out the action.
How to Edit Passive Voice Sentences to Active Voice
Editing passive voice sentences to active voice can be done in three simple steps:
Identify passive voice sentences
Passive voice sentences can be identified by the use of “by” or the past participle of the verb.
Determine the subject of the sentence
The subject of the sentence is the one performing the action in the sentence.
Rewrite sentences in active voice
Rewrite the sentence in a way that emphasizes the subject of the sentence and places it at the beginning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using active voice in nursing capstone project writing can significantly improve your communication skills, critical thinking, and engagement with the readers. By following the tips presented in this article, you can effectively use active voice in your writing, avoiding common mistakes, and achieve better clarity of thought. Remember, clarity in writing is essential in nursing capstone project writing, as it facilitates the communication of complex ideas and concepts in a concise and effective manner.
FAQs
Q. What is a capstone project?
A nursing capstone project is a comprehensive research project that nursing students undertake as part of their nursing education.
Q. Can I use active voice in every sentence?
While active voice is generally more effective, there may be instances where passive voice is appropriate. Use your judgement to determine whether a sentence should be written in active or passive voice.
Q. What is the difference between active and passive voice?
Active voice emphasizes the subject of the sentence by placing it at the beginning, while passive voice emphasizes the object of the sentence, placing it at the beginning.
Q. Do I lose marks for using passive voice in my nursing capstone project?
It depends on your instructor’s grading criteria. However, using active voice in your writing is generally encouraged in nursing capstone project writing.
Q. Is it always better to use active voice in nursing capstone project writing?
It is not always better, as there may be instances where passive voice is more appropriate. Use your judgement to determine which voice to use in a given sentence.
Q. What is the first step to writing with active voice in nursing capstone projects?
The first step is to identify the subject of the sentence and place it at the beginning of the sentence.
Q. How do I balance using active voice and professional tone in my writing?
By varying your sentence structure, using appropriate vocabulary, and avoiding jargon can help balance using active voice while maintaining a professional and academic tone in your writing.
Q. What are some common passive voice phrases to avoid in my nursing capstone project?
Common passive voice phrases to avoid include “it was found,” “it was observed,” and “it was shown.
Q. How do I identify passive voice sentences in my nursing capstone project?
Passive voice sentences use the past participle of the verb or the word “by” to indicate the actor.
Q. Can I still use active voice if I am writing collaboratively?
Yes, by clearly assigning roles to the appropriate authors and using “we” or “I” where applicable, you can still use active voice in collaborative writing.
