Assignment

Changing from Writing in the First and Second to Third Person Point of View

Definitions

First Person Voice:

• Words such as: I, me, my, ours, and we
• Used to tell personal stories
• Useful for the reader to understand the writer's ideas and personal point-of-view

Second Person Voice:

• Words such as: you and your
• Used to talk directly to the reader, especially when providing instructions
• Useful for the language of everyday life and creates a link between the writer and the reader

Third Person Voice:

• Words such as: he, she, they, person, and one
• Used in most formal academic writing
• Useful for the writer to maintain an informative, unbiased perspective

Changing Your Point-of-View

Most writing assignments at the university level should be written in third person unless otherwise specified by the professor. However, because first and second person are the voices we talk in during everyday life, it is easy to slip into them while writing. To convert a paper into the formal third person voice of academic writing, follow these steps:

1. Read the paper to identify the use of first or second person words. Highlight the first and second person words throughout your essay.

2. Return to any marked words. Are they phrases like "I think" or "I believe" that could be eliminated completely?

Examples:

"I think California State University is an excellent university." First Person

This sentence could be re-written in the third person as

"I thinkCalifornia State University is an excellent university." Third Person

The first-person sentence

"In my opinion the evidence supports the importance of a university degree in the workplace".

This sentence could be re-written in the third-person as

"In my opinionThe evidence supports the importance of a university degree in the workplace".

3. Do not make unsupported first-person statements of opinion or experience, you must build your entire expository essay around published academic peer reviewed journal articles.

Example:

"I was traumatized when I was a child and I know it has left me with long term mental illness issues"

This sentence should be re-written in the third person as

"The research evidence reports that childhood trauma can have long term negative impacts upon an individual's metal health" (Smith, 2006, p. 202)

Most uses of first and second person can be easily eliminated by reworking sentences or simply changing words. A third person paper creates a stronger, unbiased explanation, and is required for this expository writing course and most forms of academic writing.

Editing a Paragraph from the First Person to the Third Person Point-of- View

Paragraph in First and Second Person (with first and second person words in bold)

For the first time in my life, I had to move out of my parents' house and onto the college campus. I immediately had to decide whether I wanted to live in a dorm setting or an apartment setting. You can see benefits to both, but I think the dorms are better. In the dorms we have a better opportunity for social interaction while we are adjusting to college. We also have easy access to all-you-can-eat food. Also, a resident assistant acts as your mentor and guide throughout your first year of college. Although the apartments would give me more independence, dorms are a better fit for me because of the social opportunities, unlimited food, and mentorship.

Paragraph Converted to the Third Person Point-of-View

For many students, the first year of college is their first time living outside their parents' house. These students must decide whether to live in a dorm setting or an apartment setting. Both have benefits, but dorms are the better option. In the dorms students have a better opportunity for social interaction while they are adjusting to college. They also have easy access to bottomless food. Also, resident assistants on the dorm halls provide guidance and mentorship for students. Although the apartments provide more independence to students, dorms are a better fit for first-year students because of the social opportunities, unlimited food, and mentorship.

Students are required to read the paragraph below "Expository Writing Course 306" and re-write the paragraph using the Third Person point-of-view academic writing style. The paragraph must retain a similar structure, content, and meaning when re-written.

Re-write the following paragraph using the Third Person point-of-view writing style.

Expository Writing Course 306 (written in the first and second person)

When I write my expository essay Dr. Merrall requires you to use the third-person writing style, you must do this or your grade will be lower. My entire essay should be supported by my use of published peer reviewed academic journal articles. You are instructed to use at least nine sources of evidence in your essay to meet the requirements of the assignment. We know this from our lectures and there is no excuse for us to not to meet this requirement in my essay when I write it. We have-to use APA style rules throughout the essay I have-to write, so you have-to ensure that you cite evidence correctly and provide a full APA style reference in your references section. I know that Dr. Merrall expects me to pass this course, and that I can pass it with a good grade if I work hard and think about my writing before I start.

Expository Writing Course 306 (re-written in the third person point-of-view writing style)