The Army Writing Style

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style

27 Aug 02
 Overview of Presentation

 Elements of writing
 Bottom line up front
 Active versus passive voice

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Four Elements of Writing
1 of 5

 Substance – ideas behind writing

 Organization – structure of ideas
 Style – word choice, sentence
structure and phrasing
 Correctness – mechanics and
format
MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02
 Four Elements of Writing
2 of 5

 Substance – ideas behind writing

Identify requirement

Gather information

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Four Elements of Writing
3 of 5

 Organization – structure for ideas

Write thesis statement

Develop outline

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Four Elements of Writing
4 of 5

 Style – word choice, sentence

structure and phrasing
Draft quickly

Revise thoroughly

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Four Elements of Writing
5 of 5

 Correctness – mechanics and

format
Proof read

Check spelling, grammar, usage

Check format rules

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Bottom Line Up Front
 Create a clear, descriptive title
 Announce your purpose in writing
 State your main idea
 Arrange supporting information in
organized paragraphs

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Identify the Main Idea Practice
 Identify the main idea in each of
the following sentences.
 A letter giving him authority to
represent Battalion is being prepared.
 We will complete Phase I; then we
will begin Phase II.
 He assigned the task of reviewing the
report to 1LT Jones and me.

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Identify the Main Idea
Answers to Practice Sentences
 The main idea in each sentence is
underlined.
 A letter giving him authority to represent
Battalion is being prepared.
 We will complete Phase I; then we will
begin Phase II. (contains two main ideas)
 He assigned the task of reviewing the
report to 1LT Jones and me.
MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02
 Active vs. Passive Voice
1 of 3

Active voice –
subject “does” the action

Example: The company

commander filed reports.

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Active vs. Passive Voice
2 of 3

Passive voice –
action “passes” back
to subject

Example: Reports were

filed by the company
commander.

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Active vs. Passive Voice
3 of 3

Active = Doer Action Receiver

Example: The platoon will spend the
next week at weapons
qualification.

Passive = Receiver Action Doer

Example: The next week will be
spent by the platoon at
weapons qualification.
MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02
 Identifying Passive Voice
 Look at the verb:

The inventory was reviewed by Jane.

Form of verb, “to be”

The inventory was reviewed by Jane.

Past participle of main verb

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Active vs. Passive Voice Practice
 Which of the following sentences is
written in the passive voice?
Change passive to active voice.
 Several internal controls have been
implemented by management.
 The General’s comments summarize
the questions she will ask.
 The election results were counted by
the supervisor.
MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02
 Active vs. Passive Voice
Answers to Practice Sentences
 Sentence 1: Management has
implemented several internal
controls.
 Sentence 2: Active voice.
 Sentence 3: The poll supervisor
counted election results.

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 Summary
 Army writing is –
 Clear
 Concise
 Organized
 Right to the point

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02

 The Army Writing Style

MSL102_L02 - The Army Writing Style 27 Aug 02