Page 38 - Міністерство освіти і науки України

The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive. This does
not mean that the writer should entirely discard the passive voice, which is frequently
convenient and sometimes necessary.
e.g. My first visit to Boston will always be remembered by me  I shall
always remember my first visit to Boston (better variant).
The dramatists of the Restoration are little esteemed today  Modern
readers have little esteem for the dramatists of the Restoration (The first sentence would
be the preferred form in a paragraph on the dramatists of the Restoration; the second, in
a paragraph on the tastes of modern readers).
6. Avoid using the word “mention” in summaries.
A wide range of reporting verbs can be used in summary writing, many of which
often reveal summary writer`s personal attitude toward the source material (describe,
discuss, state, present, explain, maintain, examine, affirm, argue, reveal, presume,
assume, assert, contend, allege, claim, imply, etc).
e.g. Marcia Barinaga in her article “Is There a Female Style in Science?”
alleges/assumes that men and women exhibit differences in the way they pursue
science.
Notice that if you were to use the word “mention” instead of one of the other
verbs suggested, you would greatly change the importance of the information following.
“Mention” is used for information that was most likely given without detail or support.
The above sentence using “mention” makes it seem as if the difference between men
and women is a minor point in the article.
So, it is better to avoid using “mention” at all in summaries.

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