[found on hamilton.edu]

• Passive voice produces a sentence in which the subject receives an action.
  • In contrast, active voice produces a sentence in which the subject performs an action.

• Passive voice often produces unclear, wordy sentences,
  • whereas active voice produces generally clearer, more concise sentences.

• To change a sentence from passive to active voice, determine who or what performs the action,
  • and use that person or thing as the subject of the sentence.

• PASSIVE voice:
  • “On April 19, 1775, arms were seized at Concord, precipitating the American Revolution.”

• ACTIVE voice:
  • “On April 19, 1775, British soldiers seized arms at Concord, precipitating the American Revolution.”

[found on http://www.hamilton.edu/tip#Writing%20for%20Clarity]