This document discusses point of view in academic writing. It explains that first person point of view uses words like "I", "we", and "my" and is not appropriate for academic papers as it makes the writing seem biased. Second person point of view uses "you" and addresses the reader directly, which can be seen as pushy. The document recommends using third person point of view with impersonal pronouns like "one", "they", and "people" to maintain an objective tone without directing statements at the reader.

1. Academic Writing
How to be a rock star...
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2. Can you relate?
Ever feel like someone
was getting too close?
http://static.tvfanatic.com/images/gallery/unwanted-hug.jpg

3. So can a reader...
That's how your reader feels
when you use first person or
second person point of view
in an academic paper.
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4. Show me what you know...
What is first person point of view?

5. First Person Point of View
in Plain English
Something written from the writer's
perspective (i.e. "I am a teacher.")
Includes words such as "I", "we", "my", "us",
"mine", etc.
According to Grammar Girl, "first-person point
of view is used primarily for autobiographical
writing, such as a personal essay or a memoir."

6. Let's try it again...
Why can't I use first person point of
view in my persuasive paper?

7. Your thesis is an academic paper.
Grammar girl says that
academic writers, those
writing reports, articles, and
thesis papers, avoid first
person because doing so
makes the paper seem
unbiased.
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8. And, you want your writing to be
strong.
"Statements like “I believe” or “I think” tend
to weaken writing and are better when
written in the third person" (Aims).
For example:
“Cell phones should be allowed in school” is
better and stronger than “I believe cell
phones should be allowed in school.”

9. Your personal life carries little
weight here.
An academic paper or article is
not the place to discuss your
life because you cannot be a
source in your own paper.
While you, the people in your
life, and your experiences are
important, save them for a
personal essay or a memoir.
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10. How do I avoid first person?
●Skim your paper for statements like "I think"
and "I believe" and cross them out. Your
sentences should still make sense.
● In instances where you can't simply delete,
replace with more objective words (i.e.
"one")--
oI would think that... -> One would think that..
●Cut out personal stories from your life. Save
those for the book about your life. ;)

11. Still think you're smart?
What is second person point of view?

12. Second Person Point of View
in Plain English
It is used to address the reader.
For example, "you ought to know that this is
written in second person."

13. You know what's coming...
Why can't I use second person point of
view in my persuasive paper?

14. Your reader's response matters.
Using second
person is like
pointing your
finger at the
reader.
No reader likes to
be told what to do
or think.
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15. "You" is too relaxed and too pushy.
You're getting too close for comfort again.
Get it?
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16. How do I avoid second person?
●Replace words like "you" and "your" with
more objective words.
●Example: "You shouldn't drink and drive."
●Fixed: "It is a bad idea to drink and drive."
oThis is a statement everyone can agree with. I
never drink and drive and I might take offense at
your suggestion that I do.

17. A Solution to all of Your Problems:
Grammar girl uses "one" as "an impersonal
pronoun that stands for the average person or
the sort of person one happens to be
concerned with."
Impersonal pronouns are your friends. Think
third person!

18. Examples of impersonal pronouns
One An individual
Someone Teenagers
They Young adults
Anyone Americans
Another
Each
Nobody
Others
Several
Many
People

19. Works Cited
""First, Second, and Third Person." Grammar Girl :. Web. 01 May 2012.
<http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/first-second-and-third-
person.aspx>.
"One" Versus "You"" Grammar Girl :. Web. 01 May 2012.
<http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/one-versus-you.aspx>.
"Points of View in Writing." Tools for Writing:. Web. 01 May 2012.
<http://www.aims.edu/student/online-writing-lab/tools/point-of-view>.
"What Is an Academic Paper?" Materials for Students: Writing the Academic
Paper:. Web. 01 May 2012. <http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writin
g/materials/student/ac_paper/what.shtml>.