Refining Scholarly Writing: Active Voice, Rewording, Discussion, and Titles

When writing scientific manuscripts, use the active voice for clarity and conciseness, particularly when the actor performing the action is known. For example, prefer "The researchers conducted the experiment" over "The experiment was conducted by the researchers." The passive voice is appropriate when the actor is unknown or when the primary focus is on the action or object itself, as often seen in the Methods and Results sections where the process holds paramount importance. An example is "The samples were analyzed using mass spectrometry," which emphasizes the analysis rather than who performed it. The AMA Manual of Style generally advocates for the active voice to improve readability and directness in scientific writing.