i suppose you are right. just read that in scientific writing it is quite common to use passive voice. i think in musical writing, defining who the subject is - is very important. for most scholars, they want to know who said what instead of only discuss the topic. maybe that is the difference?
my husband agrees with your roommate and is up-to-date on what is standard practice, too. and, many people rely on the computer to automatically fix things. but, if you are writing a paper in class - you can't unless they offer you a computer. or, if you are in the library and trying to establish a sort of 'skeleton' of ideas - you have to set about writing on the index cards pretty much as you would like to copy onto your paper. i thought many tips really improved my dexterity to perform this thesis task much quicker. i tend to like to do things by hand, and i also like the two spaces idea between sentences on computer.
yes. cliches are stupid. but, hey, when you first start writing - you just want to fill up the page. when i heard 5,000 word research paper - i started coughing. but, now i realize it's just a lot of library time and basically learning what's available to peruse. a stack of ten books is good for about three hours of index card writing. and, of course - don't forget to write the correct bibliography format on the back of the card. it just speeds up the process. now, i don't rush everything - but realize that taking just a little time here and there saves hours of trying to read scribble. of course, xeroxing as much as you can also helps. and, if you think to enlarge - you'll save your eyes.
oh. and don't be scared of periodicals. just get someone to help you narrow down the focus and type in the correct words to get what you are looking for. sometimes people who have done research (librarian) know better 'catch phrases' for obtaining the material.