Page 125 - TX_Marketing 2_M1_v2

The first sentence is actually active because it's the house that is a great deal. In

essence, the house's action consists of the "act of being a good deal." In the second
sentence, some other force acts upon the house. Mainly, someone or something

painted it. This means that the construction is passive. Revision is not always a matter

of re-docketing information, as this example indicates. Since the agent of action is
missing from the second sentence altogether, the author would need to ask him or

herself a few things before revision would be possible. Mainly, he or she would need

to know:
Why am I mentioning the new paint?

Who painted the house?

Am I purposely omitting the painter or was it just an accident (i.e., can I just
say "so-and-so painted" the house)?

Depending on the answer to this question, the author could consider any of the
following revisions:

The paint is fresh.

The fresh coat of paint makes the house look great!
The owners just painted the house.

Hint
The student might notice that the first revision does not get rid of

the verb "to be." (The paint is fresh.) Note, however, that it does switch
the sentence to active voice, since it's the paint that is "being"

something—mainly fresh—and it does tighten up the language a little.

Nevertheless, the other two options might constitute better revisions since they also

utilize strong, active verbs—mainly "to make" and "to paint." To learn more about the

nature of "strong" and "weak" verbs and why some verbs just sound more engaging,
consult a language authority on the meaning and uses of "mood."

TX Marketing II: Negotiation Techniques 124