What would you like to remember about the meaning of the word action so that you can use it when you write or speak?
Answer

The positive and lively connotation.

Explanation:

The word action comes to mind when I think of a movie scene that starts when somebody shouts: 'Action!'

In writing it is important for its lively contribution to any kind of subject that could be pretty boring if it were too theoretical: If I want to explain an abstract noun, I prefer saying: You can see and touch the happy boy, but you cannot touch his happiness. These actions (to see & to touch) help a lot.

In speaking it is quite different because it depends on how you explain something. The way you move your head, the look you have, the tone of your voice. Nevertheless, the eloquence of the speech is important too, and I dare say that eloquence is also a form of action, because your brain is very active in order to construct well-thought and logical phrases.

just took the test;

argument: "it's time to wage a war against britain to secure american freedom."

claims: "america has tried every peaceful method available for seperating from england" & "the americans' petitions to the king have been turned away by him."

active voice: my father cut the tree.

passive voice: the tree was cut by my father.

active voice: people buy newspapers every day.

passive voice: newspapers are bought (by people) every day.

active voice: people have been using movies as political propaganda since world war ii.

passive voice: movies have been used as political propaganda since world war ii.

active voice: donna gave me my birthday present.

passive voice: i was given my birthday present (by donna). / my birthday present was given to me (by donna).

active voice: mom will leave the keys on the counter.

passive voice: the keys will be left (by mom) on the counter.

the words in parentheses are the agent of the passive voice and can be omitted when obvious, generic, or simply unnecessary.