Writing teachers often talk about “finding your voice.” Whether you are writing status reports, term papers, or letters, it is important to find a voice that is lively and engaging, and not stuffy or grating.

Stuffy: Egg’s overwrought enthusiasm and plethora of literary references are overwhelming. Egg profusely quotes Jefferson and Volny in order to illustrate the fact that the triumph of “humane and free” modernity rests on the remains of subjugated multitudes.

Better: The combination of Egg’s enthusiasm and his frequent literary references can be a little overwhelming. He agrees that “humane and free” modernity can only exist when people are subjugated, and turns to Jefferson and Volny to lend this idea authority.

Grating: On many—many!—occasions, Hamlet practically goes ahead and accuses his mother of being a slut. He doesn’t have any evidence for this, so . . . what is he talking about?
Better: On many occasions, Hamlet practically accuses his mother of sleeping around. The evidence for this assertion is scanty.