Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 1985

Some Stylistic Features of Business and Technical Writing: The Functions of Passive Voice, Nominalization, and Agency

Daniel Kies

Abstract

By studying a selection of business and technical texts, one can determine the functions of and the interactions between passive voice, nominalizations, and expressions of agency. One discovers that the distinction between dynamic and stative uses of verbs is crucial for understanding the various functions of passive sentences and nominalizations in business and technical writing. Then the functions of passive sentences and nominalizations are enumerated and illustrated with sentences from business and technical texts before discussing the various devices for expressing agency in passive and nominalized sentences. Only by understanding the various functions of these sentence types can instructors of business and technical writing offer specific and practical advice.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1985-10-01
DOI
10.2190/gay1-tc40-wy5r-5t35
Topics
technical communication voice and style

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

  1. Conrad (2018)
    The Use of Passives and Impersonal Style in Civil Engineering Writing
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Riggle (1998)
    Using the Active and Passive Voice Appropriately in On-the-Job Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Rodman (1994)
    The Active Voice in Scientific Articles: Frequency and Discourse Functions
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Riley (1991)
    Passive Voice and Rhetorical Role in Scientific Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Rodman (1991)
    Anticipatory <i>it</i> in Scientific Discourse
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 7 →
  1. Ferguson et al. (1990)
    Grammar and Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Rowan (1989)
    Moving beyond the <i>What</i> to the <i>Why</i>: Differences in Professional an…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

CrossRef global citation count: 13 View in citation network →

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