Why You and I Don’t Belong (In a Paper)

What’s wrong with “You”?

1)         “You” puts the reader in the paper.

What’s wrong with that? Doesn’t putting the reader in your paper make them experience what you are talking about? No, not really. I’m using you right now because this is not an academic paper and I’m writing this blog to help a specific audience that may be reading this paper because they are having issues with the word “you” in papers. Having the reader in your paper creates a situation where the reader can not relate to what has been written.

Incorrect:

You know how it feels when you get into a car accident.

You are telling the reader that they have experienced this before. If they have not, the example doesn’t work because the reader can’t relate.

Correct:

It doesn’t feel great when one gets into a car accident.

2)         “You” can make the reader argue with the paper.

Your paper is already written, so when a reader is put into the paper using the word “you” and disagrees with the statement, the reader is now actively disagreeing with what you have written. The paper cannot correct itself and your arguments cannot change once they are written down and being read so it has no chance of defending itself. The best way to avoid this situation is not to put the reader in the paper.

Not Relatable:

You can easily just buy a new iPod to replace the one that broke’ iPod’s don’t cost that much.

What if the reader cannot afford to buy a new one? They will automatically disagree with your example and any analysis you do based off of it. Although an iPod might not cost that much to one person, the price of an iPod can be more than other people can afford.

Relatable:

If a person can afford it, buying a new iPod to replace the one that has broken is an option for many.

This avoids putting the reader in the paper and clarifies that many people, not necessarily all people, can afford to do this, removing the non-relatable example.

Why Can’t I use “I”?

1)         Using “I” in a paper is repetitive.

Academic writing is all about expressing your opinion. Therefore, everything you say in a paper is your opinion on the subject. Saying “I” within an academic paper is considered repetitive. Just think of every statement made within your paper as already starting with “I think,” or “I feel,” or a similar phrase and you’ll be able to see the redundancy of the statements.

Incorrect:

I think Futurama is one of the best shows to ever air.

What you are actually saying:

I think I think Futurama is one of the best shows to ever air.

Correct:

Futurama is one of the best shows on the air.

The paper is your opinion, so we know this is what you think. It is not necessary to say “I” in any fashion.

2)          Using “I” in a paper makes the paper passive and lack authority.

A paper should be authoritative and strong. Phrases that tend to start with “I” make a paper passive and show a weak voice. If you are presenting a subject and writing on it, you should be an authority and not speak with a passive, weak voice within the paper. Statements without “I” tend to sound stronger and come off more authoritative.

Passive and Weak:

I think it was a mistake for Fox to cancel Futurama.

Strong and Authoritative:

It was a mistake for Fox to cancel Futurama.

Making this sentence a statement without the “I think” makes the sentence much stronger and sound as if one is an authority on the subject rather than just expressing an opinion. Phrases like “I think,” “I feel,” “I believe,” all lend themselves to a weaker voice and makes a less persuasive paper.

Feel free to come visit us in the Fullerton College Writing Center with your next writing assignment. We are open Monday through Friday. Our hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please call ahead and make your appointment today! The Fullerton College Writing Center phone number is (714) 992-7153.