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Point of View

The document explains the different points of view in writing: first person, second person, and third person, detailing their usage and examples. It emphasizes that academic writing typically favors third person for objectivity and formality, while also addressing the importance of avoiding gender stereotypes in pronoun usage. Additionally, it provides guidance on replacing informal second-person pronouns with more formal nouns in academic contexts.

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Jonathan Griffin
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8 views4 pages

Point of View

The document explains the different points of view in writing: first person, second person, and third person, detailing their usage and examples. It emphasizes that academic writing typically favors third person for objectivity and formality, while also addressing the importance of avoiding gender stereotypes in pronoun usage. Additionally, it provides guidance on replacing informal second-person pronouns with more formal nouns in academic contexts.

Uploaded by

Jonathan Griffin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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309 E.

South Street
TOS Education Building, Room 207
writingcenter@shawu.edu
(919) 546-8468

Point of View

Point of view is the perspective from which an essay is written. Point of view refers to either first
person, second person, or third person.
• First person point of view is the perspective of the writer (the one “speaking”).
• Second person point of view refers to the individual(s) being addressed by the writer.
• Third person point of view refers to the individual(s) that is being spoken about.

The following chart lists both the personal pronouns and their possessive forms (in parentheses)
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, him (his) it them, they (their, theirs)
(its) one (one’s)

First Person

First-person point of view is used to write stories of narratives or examples about personal
experiences from your own life.

Example (the underlined words are first-person pronouns):


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 avoiding first-person point of view in favor
of third-person point of view, which can be more objective and convincing. Often,

Adapted from St. Louis Community College


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:

Example (the underlined words are second-person pronouns):


To prepare microwave popcorn, you will need a microwave and a box of microwave
popcorn which you have purchased at a grocery store. First, 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 are 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 the Word You

In academic writing, sometimes the word you needs to be replaced with 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 allow Uprisings in prison often occur when the
overcrowded conditions. (Are you, the reader, authorities allow overcrowded conditions.
allowing the conditions?) (Identifies who is doing what.)
In Wal-Mart, you usually have to stand in long Wal-Mart customers usually have to stand in long
lines to buy groceries. (Are you, the reader, lines to buy groceries. (Identifies who is doing
shopping in Wal-Mart?) what.)
In many states, you have colleges with few In many states, colleges have few rehabilitation
rehabilitation programs. (Do you, the reader, have programs. (Identifies the actual subject of the
colleges?) sentence.)

Adapted from St. Louis Community College


Third Person

Most formal, academic writing uses the 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, such as he, she, it, or they. Third person also includes
the use of one, everyone, and anyone.

Note: The use of various third-person nouns and pronouns in the following:

Example (the underlined words are third-person words):


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 is
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 writers wanted to refer to one unnamed person, they used the masculine pronoun: If
a person is strong, he will stand up for himself. Today, the automatic use of the masculine
pronoun is avoided because it is considered sexist language.

Writers avoid perpetuating gender stereotypes by not 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 as a generic third-person singular pronoun to refer to a person
whose gender is unknown or irrelevant to the context of the usage. Although usage of the

Adapted from St. Louis Community College


singular they was once discouraged in academic writing, many advocacy groups and publishers
have accepted it (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 2020).

Adapted from St. Louis Community College

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