Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Using "I" In Your Paragraph
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to clarify the idea of using "I" in your paragraph a little more.
This is an area where teachers sometimes have differing opinions. The vast majority of college professors will recommend that you avoid “I” in a paragraph, unless you are giving a personal example. That means, to be on the safe side, you should steer clear of using “I” in your topic sentence unless the prompt specifically asks you about yourself or an experience that you have had. Using "I" is more widely accepted in the details of your paragraph as long as you are giving a personal example that relates to the topic. It is a bit of gray area, so you will have to use your judgment and determine the purpose of the paragraph or essay before deciding whether to use “I.”
A good rule of thumb is to use "I" sparingly. I hope that helps to clear up any confusion!
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Trying not to use "I" in a paragraph is very hard to do when writing a long essay. What would be an alternative for the word "I". Ive always wondered this
ReplyDeleteGreat question! (Be sure to leave your first name and last initial so that I know who I am responding to).
ReplyDeleteIn English 43, you will do some writing about yourself as well as some writing about academic topics. However, as you progress through your classes, you will find that in English 49, 101, or 205 (or in other classes like history), you will rarely write about yourself.
With that in mind, the best way to decide when to use "I" is to think about the purpose of your writing. If you are explaining a personal example or experience, you may certainly use "I."
However, if you are making an argument or presenting evidence that you want people to agree with, then your professors and employers will ask you to use "third person." Third person are words like "he, she, one, a person, many people, the majority of people."
It is best to get into the habit of using third person (he, she one...) as much as possible and use "I" only when it is really needed.
I hope that helps! Don't worry -- we will talk A LOT more about this in class as we progress. :)
Fantastic question!
-Kristin
Great idea!
ReplyDeleteAlways using "I" in for the whole paragraph or a long essay, it will make the reader be bored...right?
ReplyDeleteChanel P.
That is one possibility. Or, it might cause the reader to lose interest if that person doesn't share your experience or opinion. Using more academic phrasing, like "evidence shows" rather than "I believe" will make your paragraph stronger.
DeleteIt looks like I forgot the "I" rule when I was writing about what to put in the topic sentences to make it "Strong". However it's no big deal.
ReplyDeleteMichael S.
Hi Michael,
DeleteThe "I" rule is more of a suggestion. Sometimes you won't be able to avoid using "I." In general, though, it is best to avoid it WHEN you can use alternative phrasing.
This is hard to not use "I" so much in a sentence or peragraph. Trying not to use it is also really benifical, it makes for a more creative paper. - Nicholas C.
ReplyDeleteGreat point! It's good to practice different types of writing and work on thinking outside the box.
DeleteI had to write an essay once for a history class and the instructor made it a point to not use "I" in the essay. I wish I had taken this class before hand to help me learn how to write with out using it. Looking back I keep thinking how bad the essay was.
ReplyDeleteWes,
ReplyDeleteYou will find that this is common in college -- most professors will want you to avoid "I" in order to strengthen your argument. Don't think about how bad the essay was - just remember that every moment in life is a learning opportunity.
Using I when is paragraph when u look to does seem to weakening the paragraph. I had a habit of using I until the grade was giving to me lol
ReplyDeleteJames G