The Importance of Using Third Person in Academic Writing in 2013
Academic writing is a complex process that involves a lot of technicalities. One of the key components that contribute to the quality of academic writing is the use of the third person. Third person is a grammatical term that refers to pronouns or verb forms used when speaking about someone or something other than the speaker or the audience.
In academic writing, it is highly recommended to use the third person. First person (I, we, me, us) and second person (you, your, yours) are generally not used in academic writing. Third person is used to create an objective, impersonal tone that makes the writing sound more credible and professional.
Why Use Third Person?
Third person is an essential tool in academic writing for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that the writing is objective and unbiased. When writing in the first person, it can be difficult to separate personal opinions and feelings from the content of the writing. By using the third person, the emphasis is on the content rather than the author.
Secondly, using third person creates a sense of distance between the writer and the content. This distance allows for a more critical analysis of the material and helps the writer to avoid addressing the reader directly. This is particularly important in academic writing because it encourages the writer to focus on presenting the information in an objective manner rather than trying to persuade the reader.
Lastly, using third person in academic writing helps to create a consistent and professional tone. In academic circles, using third person is a widely accepted convention that contributes to the overall credibility and authority of the writing.
Examples of Third Person in Academic Writing
To better understand how to use third person in academic writing, let’s take a look at some examples:
– In psychology, it is widely accepted that cognitive dissonance occurs when a person holds two or more conflicting beliefs.
– The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in the performance of the two groups.
Notice how the sentences are written in a neutral, impersonal tone that focuses on the content rather than the author or the reader.
Conclusion
In summary, using third person in academic writing is essential for creating an objective, professional tone that is consistent with the accepted conventions of academic writing. By avoiding the use of first and second person, the focus is on the content rather than the author or the reader. When writing in the third person, it is important to maintain a neutral tone and to present the information in an objective and unbiased manner. By following the guidelines for using third person in academic writing, you will be able to produce writing that is credible, professional, and easy to read.
