69 Point of View
Christina Frasier
Learning Objectives
- Differentiate between different points of view
- Review personal pronouns
Scholarly writing limits the use of personal pronouns. While you should first follow your professor’s instructions about allowed pronouns, here are some general guidelines:
• Limit using first person singular unless you are writing a personal narrative or reflection paper.
• Never use second person point of view—doing so can alienate your reader*
Overall, using third-person point-of-view is best. Feeling lost? Here is a reminder of pronouns:
| Singular Pronouns | Plural Pronouns |
| 1st person: I, me, my | 1st person: we, us, our ours |
| 2nd person: you, your, y’all | 2nd person: you, your, y’all |
| 3rd person: she, her, he, his, it, its, one | 3rd person: they, them, their, |
The singular use of “they” is becoming more common. Refer to the standards your professor and/or the format uses.
* Yes, we use second-person point-of-view throughout this book. However, the text is not a formal work prepared for submitting to a professor or a journal. It is a teaching tool, so it is written in a more relaxed style.