ACADEMIC WRITING RESOURCE
The Identity Crisis of Academic Writing
For decades, students were told that academic writing must be entirely “objective,” which led to an obsession with the passive voice. Phrases like “It was observed” or “The results were analyzed” became the standard.
However, in the 2026 academic landscape, markers are increasingly favoring clarity and accountability. While the passive voice still has its place, overusing it makes your writing “clunky,” wordy, and intentionally vague. Mastering the switch between these two is key to a sophisticated scholarly voice.
The Core Difference
Active Voice
The subject performs the action. (Direct, shorter, and clear). Example: "The researcher collected the data."
Passive Voice
The subject receives the action. (Indirect, longer, and focused on the process).
Example: "The data was collected
by the researcher."
The "Zombie Test"
If you are unsure if a sentence is passive, try adding the phrase *“by zombies” after the verb. If the sentence still makes grammatical sense, it is in the passive voice.
* Passive: “The participants were interviewed (by zombies).” ⮕ Passes the test.
* Active: “The zombies interviewed the participants.” ⮕ The zombies are now the subject.
* Active: “I interviewed the participants (by zombies).” ⮕ Makes no sense.
When to Use Active Voice?
Use the active voice to make your writing more engaging and to take ownership of your arguments.
In the Introduction: To state your intentions. “In this paper, I argue that…”
When Discussing Authors: To show they are making active claims. “Smith (2024) demonstrates* a link between…”
To Save Word Count: Active sentences are usually 20–30% shorter than passive ones.
When to Use Active Voice?
The passive voice is a tool for objective distance. Use it when the action or the result is more important than the person who did it.
In the Methodology: To show that the experiment was repeatable by anyone. “The samples were heated to 180°C.”* (It doesn’t matter who turned the dial).
To Soften a Critique: “Mistakes were made in the initial data entry” sounds more professional than “Jones made mistakes.”
When the Actor is Unknown: “The temple was built in the 12th century.” (We don’t know the names of the builders).
The 2026 "Discipline Check"
The preferred voice in academic writing often depends on the discipline.
In sciences and nursing, passive voice is generally preferred because the focus is placed on the experiment, research process, and objective results rather than on the researcher conducting the study.
In humanities and arts, active voice is usually favored as it emphasizes the writer’s unique perspective, interpretation, and critical analysis of a topic.
In business and law, a combination of active and passive voice is often used. Active voice is effective for presenting strategies, recommendations, and arguments, while passive voice is commonly used for formal reporting and legal documentation where objectivity is important.
Summary: The Golden Ratio
A High-Distinction paper typically uses a 70/30 split. Use the Active Voice for your arguments, analysis, and conclusions. Use the Passive Voice for your methodology and when describing established facts where the author’s identity is secondary.
If your feedback says your writing is “heavy” or “hard to read,” you are likely trapped in a passive-voice cycle. Converting just 20% of those sentences to active voice can instantly brighten your prose.
Is Your Writing Feeling "Heavy"?
Finding the balance between “Academic Distance” and “Direct Impact” is one of the hardest parts of writing. A KM Academic Specialist can perform a Voice & Clarity Audit, ensuring your paper is as direct as it needs to be and as objective as your discipline demands.