Writing to Inform Essay

Using any or all of the 3 article databases in the APUS Online Library (Proquest, EBSCO, and/or the LexisNexis) research the topic you have chosen in Week 2, and write an essay in which you inform the reader about the topic. Do not, however, write the essay in the first person. Instead, write in the third person-i.e., "Astronomy is an innately interesting field of study," not "I am extremely interested in astronomy."

We generally use third person exclusively in academic or scholarly writing, unless we are specifically directed to use first person. Last week, your narrative was written in first person, since it was about your own life. This week, you will need to be aware of what person you are in, and take out first and second person. Here is an example:

I love my country because it represents liberty and justice. This is first person. You do not want to write this in academic writing unless you are directed to write in first person.

You love your country because it represents liberty and justice. This is second person. You do not want to write this in academic writing unless you are allowed to use second person.

Americans love their country because it represents liberty and justice. This is third person. This is the preferred voice for academic writing.

Third person lends authority to your writing. Look at the difference between these two sentences:

I believe Hemingway brought a powerful masculine voice to American literature.
Hemingway brought a powerful masculine voice to American literature.

The second sentence sounds more authoritative, doesn't it?

For Essay 2, you will need to integrate a minimum of 2 sources from any or all of the three article databases. Remember that an informative essay does not include the writer's feelings or opinions, but simply informs the reader about the topic. Make sure you refer to your Essay 2 checklist before and after you have written your draft. All essays should be in MLA format and contain the essay checklist. Your essay should be between 500-750 words.

The topic that I am choosing for my thesis statement is to not take yourself too seriously.

Thesis Statement: Life is too short to take too seriously, but laughing at yourself, surrounding yourself with funny and positive people, and finding the silver lining when things don't go the way you want them to will help you realize that life is meant to be enjoyed and lived.