Academic Reading and Writing (HS-115)/Academic Writing HS -214

UNIT 0NE
1.2. Point of Views 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) he, them, they (their, theirs)
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. If you are writing based on personal experience, as is the case for
many college memoir classes, the first person point of view might work best, as it emphasizes the
writer. The first person point of view allows the writer to inject emotion and purpose into the piece,
as they control the flow of the action. As the narrator, they have detail exclusivity, meaning that
they are privy to the surrounding events 4 (both the physical action and the personal thought
processes associated with that action) of the personal experience.

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.”
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Task 01

Discuss in pairs and enlists the pros and cons of using First-person point of view.

Pros Cons

1) First person pronoun 1) In certain context, such

like ‘I’, ’me’, ‘my’ as formal or academic
personalizes your work, writing first person
giving it your own touch pronoun can be seen as
which helps creating a unprofessional.
stronger connection with
your audience.

2) First person pronoun 2) Relying just on the first

helps in engaging the person pronoun may limit the
audience more allowing scope of discussion, expressing
to see things from only the speakers point of view
speaker’s perspective. neglecting all alternative view
points

Task 02. Complete the following sentences, using first person pronouns.

1. I was minding my own business when Mom burst in. “What’s with you?” I
grumbled.

2. Our Senior Capstone class took the Major Field Test on Tuesday. The test was
made up of multiple-choice questions. We were tested on our knowledge of
concepts related to accounting, finance, marketing, statistics and the legal
environment. I looked around the room to see the faces of my classmates, who
were scratching their heads and deep in thought. They clearly were not prepared.

3. I almost cried when I forgot the lines to my speech for the treasurer of our
student council. I noticed my teacher talking hurriedly to members of the faculty.
A stern look sat upon his face. I thought to myself, “They must think I did not
prepare well.”

4. Our class listened to a lecture on the proper procedure for evacuation during an
emergency. We were instructed to line up and exit in an orderly and calm
fashion. Our class then practiced the drill. Once outside, however, We found not
the usual silence that comes with following orders, but the loud, chattering
mouths of hungry teenagers waiting for recess.
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SECOND PERSON

Second-person point of view, which directly addresses the reader, works well for giving
advice or explaining how to do something. It is not often seen in fiction writing, but is very
common in short pieces of non-fiction such as speeches and letters. It is also used to construct
“how-to” tutorials. 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. (Are authorities allow overcrowded conditions.
you, the reader, allowing the (Identifies who is doing what.)
conditions?)

In Russia you usually have to stand in long Russian customers usually have to stand in
lines to buy groceries. 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. (Identifies
(Do you, the reader, have prisons?) the actual subject of the sentence.)
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Task 03

Discuss in pairs and enlists the pros and cons of using Second-person point of
view.

Pros Cons

1) Second person pronouns 1) Using second person

directly engage the pronoun to directly
audience, promoting a address someone may
sense of connection and seem intrusive and over
involvement. friendly.

2) Second person pronouns 2) This persuasive behavior

can be persuasive, as may be seen as
they appeal directly to manipulation and
the audience interest. insincerety.

Task 04. Complete the following sentences, using Second-person pronouns.

1. You walk into the cave and hear a low rumble. “What is it?” you wonder.

2. When you see her dressed like that, you think to yourself “What was she
thinking?”

3. “You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time
of the morning. But here you are, and you cannot say that the terrain is
entirely unfamiliar, although the details are fuzzy.” (Jay McInherney,
Bright Lights, Big City, 1984)

4. "When television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite each of you to sit down in
front of your television set when your station goes on the air and stay there, for
a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a
profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you. Keep your eyes glued to
that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that what you will observe is
a vast wasteland." (Newton N. Minow, "Television and the Public Interest."
Speech to the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington, D.C., on
May 9, 1961)

THIRD PERSON
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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

If you were to observe the action from a distance, the point of view most likely utilized would be the
third person point of view. The participants of the action in this piece would be referred to with
pronouns such as “he,” “she,” and “they.”

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 chauvinist 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 gender 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.
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Task 05

Discuss in pairs and enlists the pros and cons of using Third-person point of
view.

Pros Cons

1) Third person pronoun 1) This professionalism

promotes a sense of may come across as
professionalism which impersonal, potentially
can be an advantage in weakening the emotional
academic and connection.
professional writing.
2) However, excessive use
2) Third person pronoun of third person pronoun
can lend a sense of may create an
authority and credibility impression of arrogance
to the speaker especially or detachment.
in professional context.

Task 06. Complete the following sentences, using Third-person pronouns.

1. The boys went home together after a long day at school. They were hungry
and thirsty, so they decided to go to the local snack shop. Their parents gave
them money so that they could have an afternoon snack, but when the boys
approached the snack shop, there was a sign that said “Closed”. What are
they going to do?

2. Marcus had a big crush on Vanessa. He didn’t know how to tell her, so he
wrote a secret admirer note. Marcus knew where Vanessa’s locker was, so
he stuffed the note into one of the openings above the locker. He wanted to
reveal to Vanessa that he was the one who wrote the note, but he didn’t
know how.
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Practice:

Correct any inconsistencies of person in these sentences. If necessary, change the verbs to make them
agree with any new subjects. Re-write the correct sentences.

Example:
Each hiker should bring your own lunch.
Each hiker should bring his or her own lunch.

1. The first person at the counter gets their order filled quickly.
The first person at the counter get their order filled quickly.

2. Jane treats me like family when I visit her. She always makes you feel at home.
Jane treats me like family when I visit her . She always makes me feel at home.

3. A student has to show their identification card in order to borrow books from the library.
A student has to show his or her identification card in order to borrow books from the library.

4. I love to go dancing. You can exercise, work off tensions, and have fun all at the same time.
I love to go dancing. One can exercise, work off tensions, and have fun all at the same time.

5. If a person has lived in a city, you may find the country too quiet.
If a person has lived in a city, they may find the country too quite.

6. The cast members have discovered that you have to work together to prepare for the
performance.
The cast members have discovered that they have to work together to prepare for the
performance.

7. A person with high blood pressure should watch their diet.

A person with high blood pressure should watch their diet.

8. When Lee and I ride our bikes to work at 6 A.M., you can see the city waking up.
When Lee and I ride our bikes to work at 6 A.M, we can see the city waking up.
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Name: ____________________________
Point of View Worksheet
Directions: determine from which point of view the passage is narrated. Explain your answers in the
box.

Viewpoints: first-person, second-person, third-person objective, third-person limited, and third-person

omniscient.

1. Walter crumpled the business section of the newspaper. He couldn't believe the headline: "Zanogram
Sold for 4 Billions Smackaroos!" He could recall starting that company with his partner Zap just a few
years earlier. Now Walter had nothing and was riding the bus while Zap took champagne bubble baths.
The bus driver noticed that Walter looked distressed. He was genuinely concerned about Walter, but he
had learned a long time ago not to pry into the fare's affairs.

Narrator's Perspective: The passage is narrated in third person limited pronoun.

Explain how you know: we know this because the passage is narrated from the prespective of an external narrator who focuses on Walter’s emotions and feelings after
loseing his company.

2. "Ding!" Katie looked at her phone. It was a text message from Jeff. "Ugh! Not now," she said to
herself. She was mad at Jeff for a comment that he had made the last time that they spoke. Meanwhile,
while Katie was ignoring Jeff, he was at home trying to figure out why Katie was mad at him. "Did I
say something that might have made her angry?" he thought to himself. "No, I have been a perfect
gentleman," he concluded.

Narrator's Perspective: The passage is narrated in third-person omniscient pronoun.

Explain how you know: we know this because the passage is narrated from the prespective of an all knowing narrator who has access to the thoughts, feelings and
experience of all the characters of the story.

3. "Crash!" The sound of falling bowling pins fills the air. You walk to the counter and address the
attendant. You mention that he has given you shoes in the wrong size. He politely corrects the error.
You walk back to your party. It is your turn. You put on your shoes, find your ball, and approach the
lane. You wait until the lanes are clear. Then you waddle up to the lane and roll the ball between your
legs, grandma style. Your friends cheer. The bumpers ensure that the roll is devastating.

Narrator's Perspective: The passage is narrated in second person pronoun.

Explain how you know: we know this because the narrater of the passage directly addresses the subject.

4. The tombstone was in place, but there was a gaping hole where there was supposed to be a field of
grass. "Oh, great," I said, "the body's been exhumed." Cliff looked at me curiously and asked, "What
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does 'exhumed' mean?" I pointed to the hole in the ground and replied with an irate tone, "Well, Cliff,
there's an empty hole where the body is supposed to be. Based on the context of this situation, can you
infer what 'exhumed' means?" Cliff shrugged his shoulders.

Narrator's Perspective: The passage is narrated in first person pronoun.

Explain how you know: we know this because the passage seems like an incident that the narrator might have experienced personally.

5. Bones loaded the rifle on his lap. He wasn't sure he could win, but he knew he wasn't going down
without a fight. He wasn't afraid, but he was nervous with anticipation. He knew that they were
coming. Then three men on ATVs pulled up to his house. They were wearing leather jackets with red
skulls on the back. One of the men wore a yellow band on his arm. He had a green Mohawk. He was
the one who screamed, "Give us the girl and we'll let you live." Bones didn't believe them. He looked at
the girl. Bones thought that she looked scared. He would never let them have her.
Narrator's Perspective: The passage is narrated in third person limited pronoun.
Explain how you know: we know this because the passage is narrated from the prespective of an external narrator who focuses on the thoughts and emotions Bones had
been feeling.

6. Diego looked over the edge. He thought about how far the ground was. The wind gusted. Whitney
turned to him and said, "It's beautiful up here, huh?" Diego could not think about beauty. All he could
think about was not falling off the edge. He said, "Yeah, Whitney, it really is beautiful. Hey, how long
do you want to stay up here?" Whitney laughed and said, "Let's stay up here the rest of our lives!"
Diego grimaced. He was afraid that this scenario was all too likely.

Narrator's Perspective: The passage is narrated in third-person omniscient pronoun.

Explain how you know: we know this because the passage is narrated from the prespective of an all knowing narrator who has access to the thoughts, feelings and
experience of all the characters of the story

7. A young girl in a scout uniform knocked on the front door of a white mansion. A man wearing a
tuxedo with tails answered the door. "May I help you?" the man asked. The young girl began speaking,
"Would you like to buy some cookies? Some of the proceeds go to charity." The man cut off the young
girl by saying, "Let me see if the head of the home is available." The young girl smiled and
straightened the buttons on her uniform.
Narrator's Perspective: The passage is narrated in third-person omniscient pronoun.

Explain how you know: : we know this because the passage is narrated from the prespective of an all knowing narrator who has access to the thoughts, feelings and
experience of all the characters of the story

8. Juan held the space rock in his hand and imagined that he was on the moon. He started bouncing
around the gymnasium as though he were in a zero gravity setting. Mr. Worser chased after him and
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said, "Juan, put that moon rock back on the table!" Juan couldn't hear Mr. Worser because Juan was so
involved in his imaginary scenario. "Beep! Commander, bring the lunar rover in for a landing," Juan
was saying to himself. Mr. Worser grabbed Juan by the shoulder. This brought Juan back to reality.

Narrator's Perspective: The passage is narrated in third-person omniscient pronoun.

Explain how you know: we know this because the passage is narrated from the prespective of an all knowing narrator who has access to the thoughts, feelings and
experience of all the characters of the story.