Narrative Voice


Rule: Second and third person narratives are acceptable; however, writers must maintain a consistent narrative voice within each paragraph.

    • First person: NOT PERMITTED (I, we, me, my, our, us, etc.)
    • Second person: You, your, yours (acceptable for certain tasks; see specific task instructions)
    • Third person: He, she, it, they, his, hers, its, etc. (all acceptable)

    • Correct Example: Talk with your primary care physician prior to beginning a new, intense exercise regimen.
    • Incorrect Example: My wife recommends a night trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower to experience the “city of light” fully.

 

Expert Voice


Rule: Do not include vague phrases to deter from an expert-level tone. Do not use “some say” or “people recommend” (these phrases are not acceptable under any circumstance). Use common contractions whenever possible, unless there's a task-specific exception.

  

  • Correct Example: Chicken pox is fatal in some cases.
  • Incorrect Example: Chicken pox may cause death.

  • Correct Example: The Surgeon General estimates that secondhand smoke significantly increases a nonsmoker’s chance of developing lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent.
  • Incorrect Example: Some say that secondhand smoke may significantly increase a non-smoker’s chance of developing lung cancer.

  • Correct Example: Overconsumption of sugar can cause Type 2 diabetes, but family history, weight and lack of exercise play into the equation as well.
  • Incorrect Example: Overconsumption of sugar can cause Type 2 diabetes. (The word “can” is acceptable in the first example because the writer further explained why it might not be the only factor.)

 

Active/Passive Voice


Rule: Write action-driven sentences. The main subject of each sentence must perform the action in active voice.

 

  • Correct Example: Tie the shoelaces.
  • Incorrect Example: The shoelaces should be tied. 
 
  • Correct Example:  Psychiatry majors learn how to treat mental illnesses with appropriate medications.
  • Incorrect Example: Psychology students are taught to counsel and diagnose patients. (The subject is not performing the action, which is “students.”)