Students struggle with writing in a clear academic voice. Here is a presentation that shows them how to avoid writing in first person with some additional resources.

1. HOW TO AVOID WRITING IN FIRST
PERSON
Dr. Andree C. Swanson
Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013

2. POOR EXAMPLE
 As I took on the leadership of the new
organization, motivational theories came to
mind. I thought about Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs and how I could implement this
motivational theory.
Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013

3. BETTER EXAMPLE
 Taking the leadership of the new
organization, motivational theories could be
considered. One theory was Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs and how this theory
could be implemented.
Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013

4. HOW DO I AVOID WRITING IN FIRST PERSON?
It's not
easy, however, wh
en you try to find
your academic
voice, you will take
you out of the
picture.
 Helpful Websites:
 Point of View and Voice
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/o
wl/resource/560/15/
 How to Avoid Writing in
First Person
 http://elearning.homestead.co
m/first_person_writing.htm
Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013

5. “It is important to note
that while the avoidance
of "I" has long been part
of the academic tradition,
these days some
academics consider its
use to be acceptable.
So, you may encounter
different views about the
use of "I" over the course
of your degree.”
(Monash University, 2007)
Image(s) from Microsoft Clip Art.Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013

6. WHEN IN ROME, DO WHAT THE ROMANS DO
Don’t fight it. Some
faculty members may
be sticklers on this.
Ensure you comply
with your instructor’s
requirements. Think of
this as a situation
where your boss has a
specific requirement.
Wouldn’t you do it?
Image(s) from Instaprints.Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013

7. ONE WAY TO AVOID “I” STATEMENTS
 One way is to let the
assignment "speak for itself“:
 For example…
 "Idemonstrated a lack of
understanding on the topic
of proper academic
writing."
 Could be written as…
 “A lack of understanding
on the topic created an
error in the
presentation.”
 For example…
 “I interpreted the results to
mean a = b”
 Could be written as…
 “Swanson and Crites
(2011) stated that a = b.”
Note:
Use the authors’ names when you are
discussing a study or research that
was conducted by someone else.(Monash University, 2013)
Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013

8. AVOID FIRST PERSON BY USING PASSIVE VOICE
Another way to avoid
the first person is to
use the passive
voice construction:
Instead of Write
"We administered the
questionnaire..."
(active voice)
"The questionnaire was
administered..."
(passive voice)
"I surveyed the literature"
(active voice)
"The literature was
surveyed"
(passive voice)
"I took a sample..."
(active voice)
"A sample was taken"
(passive voice)
Yes… you should avoid passive voice most of the time,
however, sometimes, especially when avoiding writing in first
person, it is acceptable.
(Monash University, 2013)
Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013
Image(s) from Microsoft Clip Art.

9. WHEN IN DOUBT…
 … on whether to use first person…
 Ask your instructor
Don’t be afraid to
ask!
Image(s) from Microsoft Clip Art.

10. REFERENCES
 Bowman, L. (2003). How to avoid writing in first
person. Retrieved from
http://elearning.homestead.com/first_person_writing.h
tm
 Monash University. (2013). Avoiding the personal
pronoun “I”. Retrieved from
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/arts/soci
ology/2.3.1.xml
 Purdue University. (1995-2011). Point of view and
voice. Retrieved from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/15/
Copyright © AC Swanson Group 2009 - 2013