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Student's Academic Literacy Tool
Correctly formed passives
Passive language places focus upon the receiver of action. In academic writing as in the example below, the focus is the object (the research) rather than the agent of the action (Bandura).
e.g: ‘Research conducted by Bandura.’
Active language is also important in improving academic writing style. This is where the focus is placed upon the person carrying out the action, this construction may be more appropriate when evaluating the contribution of a particular psychologist
e.g. ‘Bandura conducted research.’
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