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    Point of View in Academic Writing PDF

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    mengistu
    This document discusses different points of view used in academic writing: first person, second person, and third person. It provides examples of how each point of view is used and guidelines for when each is appropriate. The main points are: 1) First person is used for personal narratives but academic writing generally uses third person for a more objective tone. 2) Second person addresses the reader directly and works for instructions but can seem too casual for formal writing. 3) Third person is preferred for most academic writing by referring to people with proper nouns or general terms like "teachers" instead of pronouns. 4) Consistency is important and switching between points of view can confuse readers.

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    Point of View in Academic Writing PDF

    Uploaded by

    mengistu
    68 views3 pages
    This document discusses different points of view used in academic writing: first person, second person, and third person. It provides examples of how each point of view is used and guidelines for when each is appropriate. The main points are: 1) First person is used for personal narratives but academic writing generally uses third person for a more objective tone. 2) Second person addresses the reader directly and works for instructions but can seem too casual for formal writing. 3) Third person is preferred for most academic writing by referring to people with proper nouns or general terms like "teachers" instead of pronouns. 4) Consistency is important and switching between points of view can confuse readers.

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    This document discusses different points of view used in academic writing: first person, second person, and third person. It provides examples of how each point of view is used and guidelines for when each is appropriate. The main points are: 1) First person is used for personal narratives but academic writing generally uses third person for a more objective tone. 2) Second person addresses the reader directly and works for instructions but can seem too casual for formal writing. 3) Third person is preferred for most academic writing by referring to people with proper nouns or general terms like "teachers" instead of pronouns. 4) Consistency is important and switching between points of view can confuse readers.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    68 views3 pages

    Point of View in Academic Writing PDF

    Uploaded by

    mengistu
    This document discusses different points of view used in academic writing: first person, second person, and third person. It provides examples of how each point of view is used and guidelines for when each is appropriate. The main points are: 1) First person is used for personal narratives but academic writing generally uses third person for a more objective tone. 2) Second person addresses the reader directly and works for instructions but can seem too casual for formal writing. 3) Third person is preferred for most academic writing by referring to people with proper nouns or general terms like "teachers" instead of pronouns. 4) Consistency is important and switching between points of view can confuse readers.

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    POINT OF VIEW IN

    ACADEMIC WRITING

    Point of view is the perspective from which an essay is written. The following chart lists
    both the personal pronouns and their possessive forms used with these points of view:

    Singular Plural
    First Person I, me (my, mine) we, us (our, ours)
    Second Person you (your, yours) you (your, yours)
    Third Person she, her (her, hers) them, they (their, theirs)
    he, him (his)
    it (its)
    one (one’s)

    When choosing appropriate point of view for academic or formal writing,


    consider the type and purpose of the assignment.

    Consistency is Key!
    When using any of the three points of view, maintaining consistency is vital. Switching
    between points of view can be confusing for the reader. Choose a suitable perspective
    and then stay with it.

    Unclear: The accident happened right in front of us so you could see who was at fault.
    Revised: The accident happened right in front of us so we could see who was at fault.

    FIRST PERSON

    First-person point of view is used to write stories/narratives or examples about


    personal experiences from your own life. Note the following paragraph:

    Several people have made a lasting impression on me. I remember one person
    in particular who was significant to me. Mr. Smith, my high school English teacher,
    helped my family and me through a difficult time during my junior year. We
    appreciated his care, kindness, and financial help after the loss of our home in a
    devastating fire.

    Note: Academic writing often requires us to avoid first-person point of view in favor
    of third-person point of view, which can be more objective and convincing. Often,
    students will say, “I think the author is very convincing.” Taking out I makes a stronger
    statement or claim: “The author is very convincing.”
    SECOND PERSON

    Second-person point of view, which directly addresses the reader, works well for
    giving advice or explaining how to do something. A process analysis paper would be a
    good choice for using the second-person point of view, as shown in this paragraph:

    In order to prepare microwave popcorn, you will need a microwave and a box
    of microwave popcorn which you’ve purchased at a grocery store. First of all, you
    need to remove the popcorn package from the box and take off the plastic wrap. Next,
    open your microwave and place the package in the center with the proper side up.
    Then set your microwave for the suggested number of minutes as stated on the box.
    Finally, when the popcorn is popped, you’re ready for a great treat.

    Note: Academic writing generally avoids second-person point of view in favor of third-
    person point of view. Second person can be too casual for formal writing, and it can also
    alienate the reader if the reader does not identify with the idea.

    Replacing You

    In academic writing, sometimes you needs to be replaced with nouns or proper nouns to
    create more formality or to clarify the idea. Here are some examples:

    Inappropriate Use of “You” Revised to Replace “You”


    Uprisings in prison often occur when you Uprisings in prison often occur when the
    allow overcrowded conditions. authorities allow overcrowded
    (Are you, the reader, allowing the conditions.
    conditions?) (Identifies who is doing what.)

    In Russia you usually have to stand in Russian customers usually have to stand
    long lines to buy groceries. in long lines to buy groceries.
    (Are you, the reader, shopping in Russia?) (Identifies who is doing what.)

    In many states, you have prisons with few In many states, prisons have few
    rehabilitation programs. rehabilitation programs.
    (Do you, the reader, have prisons?) (Identifies the actual subject of the
    sentence.)
    THIRD PERSON

    Third-person point of view identifies people by proper noun (a given name such as
    Ella Clark) or noun (such as teachers, students, doctors, or players) and uses the
    pronouns he, she, and they. Third person also includes the use of one, everyone, and
    anyone. Most formal, academic writing uses the third person. Note the use of various
    third-person nouns and pronouns in the following:

    The bosses at the factory have decided that employees need a day of in-house
    training. Times have been scheduled for everyone. Several senior employees will
    be required to make five-minute presentations. One is not eager to speak in front of
    others since she’s very shy. Another one, however, is anxious to relate her
    expertise. The variation in routine should provide an interesting day for all people
    concerned.

    Third Person Pronouns: Gender-Fair Use of Language

    In the past, if you wanted to refer to one unnamed person, you used the masculine
    pronoun: If a person is strong, he will stand up for himself. Today, you should avoid
    the automatic use of the masculine pronoun because it is considered sexist language.

    Also avoid perpetuating gender stereotypes by assigning a particular gendered pronoun:


    A doctor should listen to his patients. A nurse should listen to her patients. These
    examples make assumptions that doctors are men and nurses are women, which is a
    sexist stereotype.

    Using he or she is a possible solution, but not if the phrase comes several times in a row.
    The sentence becomes clunky and awkward: If a person is strong, he or she will stand
    up for himself or herself when he or she believes in something.

    Another strategy is to use they or them. Remember, however, that they or them must
    refer to a plural, such as people, doctors, or students: If people are strong, they will
    stand up for themselves when they believe in something.

    This document was developed by the


    College Writing Center
    STLCC-Meramec
    Revised 10-25-13 HSC/KM

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