Writing Essays in 3rd Person vs. 1st Person: When to Break the Rules
Writing essays in 3rd person vs. 1st person isn’t just about following rules—it’s about understanding when breaking those rules serves your purpose better. Whether you’re a college student crafting your first research paper or a professional writing grant proposals, the perspective you choose can make or break your argument’s effectiveness.
Understanding Point of View in Academic Writing
What Is Point of View in Writing?
Point of view determines who’s telling the story in your essay. It’s the lens through which your readers experience your arguments, evidence, and conclusions. Think of it as choosing between being a narrator who observes from outside (third person) or a participant who shares personal experience (first person).
First person uses pronouns like “I,” “me,” “we,” and “us.” When you write “I believe this policy will fail,” you’re positioning yourself as the authority based on personal judgment.
Third person employs pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “they,” or avoids personal pronouns altogether. Instead of “I think,” you might write “research suggests” or “evidence indicates.”
The Traditional Academic Writing Stance
Most academic papers (Exposition, Persuasion, and Research Papers) should generally be written in third person, referring to other authors and researchers from credible and academic sources to support your argument rather than stating your own personal experiences. This convention exists because academic writing traditionally prioritizes objectivity over personal experience.
Traditional academic writing discourages the use of first or second person (I, we, you). This is because it does not sound objective. Instead, it sounds as though you have only a very limited, personal view of the issue you are discussing, rather than a view of the broader picture.
| Aspect | First Person | Third Person |
|---|---|---|
| Objectivity | Lower perceived objectivity | Higher perceived objectivity |
| Authority | Personal authority | Institutional/scholarly authority |
| Scope | Individual perspective | Broader, universal perspective |
| Formality | Less formal | More formal |
| Reader Distance | Close, personal | Professional distance |
When Third Person Rules Supreme
Research Papers and Academic Essays
For most university assignments, third person remains the gold standard. Research papers, literature reviews, and argumentative essays benefit from the perceived objectivity that third person provides. When you write “Studies demonstrate that climate change accelerates coastal erosion,” you’re lending weight to established research rather than personal opinion.
Effective third person techniques include:
- Using passive voice strategically: “The data was analyzed” instead of “I analyzed the data”
- Attributing ideas to sources: “Johnson argues” rather than “I think Johnson is right”
- Making universal statements: “Students often struggle with” instead of “I struggled with”
Scientific and Technical Writing
Scientific papers almost universally employ third person because the focus should be on findings, not the researcher. The methodology section might read “Participants were divided into control and experimental groups” rather than “We divided participants into control and experimental groups.”
This approach emphasizes reproducibility and objectivity—core values in scientific discourse.
The Case for Strategic First Person Use
When Personal Experience Adds Value
Despite traditional preferences, first person has legitimate places in academic writing. Reflective essays, personal statements, and autobiographical pieces not only allow but require first person perspective.
Consider these scenarios where first person strengthens your writing:
- Methodology sections in research papers: “I conducted interviews with fifteen participants”
- Problem statements where you’re addressing a gap you’ve identified: “Through my analysis of current literature, I found…”
- Conclusion sections where you’re taking responsibility for your argument: “I argue that these findings suggest…”
Professional and Business Writing
In professional contexts, the rules shift dramatically. Grant proposals, business reports, and project summaries often benefit from first person because they establish accountability and ownership.
Should I write grants in the first or third person? In this blog post, we will break down what is the difference between the first person and the third person, what style of writing grant writing really is, how to write a grant application using a blend—highlighting how professional writing often requires strategic mixing of perspectives.
Breaking the Rules: When and How
Context-Dependent Decisions
Should you write in 3rd or 1st person in academic writing? This will depend on what you are asked to write. For some reflective or personal writing you may be asked to use 1st person, and for other essays and reports you may need to stick to 3rd person.
The key isn’t blindly following rules but understanding your audience, purpose, and genre expectations.
| Writing Type | Recommended Perspective | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Literature Review | Third person | Emphasizes scholarly sources |
| Personal Narrative | First person | Authentic personal experience |
| Argumentative Essay | Third person (primarily) | Focuses on evidence over opinion |
| Reflective Essay | First person | Personal growth and insight |
| Grant Proposal | Mixed (strategic use) | Accountability and objectivity |
| Lab Report | Third person | Scientific objectivity |
The “We” Compromise
Many writers use the inclusive “we” as a middle ground. There’s also a debate about whether using the first-person collective ‘we’ is acceptable (e.g. “We can infer from Macbeth’s speech that Shakespeare was…”) This approach includes the reader in the analytical process while maintaining some distance from pure personal opinion.
Strategic “we” usage:
- “We can observe that…” (includes reader in analysis)
- “As we examine the evidence…” (creates shared discovery)
- “We must consider…” (emphasizes shared responsibility)
Discipline-Specific Conventions
English and Literature
Literature departments increasingly accept first person in analytical essays, especially when discussing personal response to texts. A statement like “I find Hamlet’s hesitation puzzling” can lead to more engaging analysis than “Hamlet’s hesitation appears puzzling.”
Psychology and Social Sciences
These fields often blend perspectives. A psychology paper might use third person for literature review and methodology but shift to first person when discussing original interpretations or clinical observations.
Business and Communication
Business writing frequently demands first person for accountability and clarity. Executive summaries, project reports, and recommendations gain credibility when authors take ownership: “I recommend implementing this strategy because…”
STEM Fields
Hard sciences maintain strict third person conventions, but even here, exceptions exist. When describing novel methodologies or unique approaches, first person can clarify the researcher’s specific contributions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Inconsistent Perspective Switching
One major error is shifting perspectives without purpose. If you begin with third person, maintain it unless you have a strategic reason to switch. Random shifts confuse readers and weaken your authority.
Poor example: “Research shows climate change is accelerating. I think we need immediate action because the data is overwhelming.”
Better: “Research shows climate change is accelerating. The data suggests immediate action is necessary.”
Overusing Personal Pronouns
Even when first person is appropriate, overuse becomes distracting. Count your “I” statements—if every sentence begins with “I think” or “I believe,” you’re likely overdoing it.
Ignoring Assignment Guidelines
Always check your assignment requirements first. Some professors explicitly prohibit first person, while others encourage it. “You should not write in first or second person in formal writing.” Change to: “One should not write in first or second person in formal writing.” When in doubt, ask your instructor directly.
Practical Strategies for Implementation
Revision Techniques
During revision, examine each instance of personal pronouns:
- Purpose check: Does this “I” serve a specific function?
- Authority assessment: Does first person strengthen or weaken this claim?
- Consistency evaluation: Does this perspective choice align with the rest of my essay?
Alternative Constructions
When avoiding first person, try these substitutions:
| First Person | Third Person Alternative |
|---|---|
| “I believe that…” | “Evidence suggests that…” |
| “I found that…” | “The analysis revealed that…” |
| “I think this shows…” | “This indicates that…” |
| “In my opinion…” | “The data supports the view that…” |
Blended Approaches
Advanced writers often blend perspectives strategically. You might use third person for presenting evidence but shift to first person for original analysis or recommendations.
Technology and Modern Academic Writing
Digital Communication Impact
Email, online discussions, and collaborative platforms have made academic communication more personal. Students increasingly encounter mixed perspectives in digital academic environments, making flexible perspective use more acceptable.
AI and Writing Tools
As AI writing tools become common, the distinction between human voice (often first person) and generated content (typically third person) becomes more important. Using first person strategically can help maintain authentic voice in an AI-influenced writing landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, first person is acceptable and sometimes preferred in reflective essays, personal statements, methodology sections, and when discussing your own research findings or interpretations.
First person uses “I,” “me,” “we” (personal perspective), second person uses “you” (direct address), and third person uses “he,” “she,” “they” or avoids personal pronouns (objective perspective).
You can switch perspectives if done strategically and consistently. For example, using third person for literature review and first person for personal analysis, but avoid random or frequent switching.
Use passive voice strategically, attribute ideas to sources (“research suggests” instead of “I think”), make universal statements, and focus on evidence rather than personal opinion.