Kate McKinney Maddalena
Volume 1
Chapter Description
In this essay, I argue against the common misconception that “I” has no place in formal writing. I discuss many theoretical and rhetorical ways (objectivity and intellectual integrity, and clarity and organization, respectively) in which first person, used prudently, can improve written argument. I then show some examples of academic prose that illustrate the rhetorical concepts I’ve described. Finally, I list some hypothetical writing tasks where “I” might work and warn against some where it won’t.
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Key Takeaways
- First person can help distinguish your own ideas from the ideas of others
- Presenting your own experiences, background, and/or observations can strengthen an argument
- First person can make your writing more sophisticated
- Not all uses of first person are effective–know when to use it and when not to
