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- Grammar for effect: voice, modals and sentence variety
Grammar for effect: voice, modals and sentence variety
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Grammar is a tool for creating effects. Year 9 is the time to notice how writers use grammar on purpose and to try the same moves in your own writing.
Active and passive voice
Passive: the thing affected comes first. 'The cat was chased (by the dog).'
The passive can hide who is responsible: 'Mistakes were made.' It can also sound formal and impersonal, as in science reports.
Modal verbs
'You must act now' is forceful. 'You might consider...' is gentle. Persuasive writers choose modals carefully.
Sentence variety
Change 'The council closed the library' into the passive, and explain why a writer might do this.
- Passive: 'The library was closed.'
- The doer (the council) can be left out.
- This hides who made the decision.
Answer: 'The library was closed.' The passive hides who is responsible, which might suit someone who wants to avoid blame.
Active voice puts the doer first; passive puts the thing affected first and can hide responsibility. Modals show certainty or necessity. Vary sentences with minor sentences, fronted adverbials and rhetorical questions.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
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