Can I use "I" in academic writing? My teacher said no but I see it everywhere. 🤔

[NickWood]

I am very confused. My high school teacher in Japan said: "Never use 'I' in essay. Very unprofessional." So I write: "This researcher believes..." or "It is thought that..." It sounds... strange. Like robot.

But now in university, I read articles for my class—they use "I" ALL THE TIME. "I argue..." "I conducted..." "In my research..." I am shocked. Is my teacher wrong?

My tutor explained: it depends on field and assignment.

• Sciences: usually no "I." Focus on research, not researcher. Passive voice is okay. "The experiment was conducted..."
• Humanities: often "I" is okay, even good. Shows your voice. "I argue that..."
• Reflective essays: definitely "I." They want YOUR experience.
• Some professors: have own rules. Always check syllabus.

My problem: I am so trained to avoid "I" that now when I should use it, I can't. My sentences come out twisted. "This paper will attempt to demonstrate..." when I mean "I will show..."

My tutor said: "In your philosophy paper, use 'I'. It's okay. I promise." I tried. It felt like... walking naked. Very uncomfortable. But my professor wrote: "good voice."

So... can I use "I"? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Not helpful, I know. But that's English.

 

[George]

The problem with avoiding "I" is that it leads to weird passive constructions:

Instead of: "I measured the temperature every hour."
You write: "The temperature was measured every hour." (Fine)
But then: "It was thought that the results would show..." (By whom? The ghost of experiments past?)

Passive voice hides agency. Sometimes that's good (when the agent doesn't matter). Sometimes it's confusing (when the reader needs to know who thought/did/argued).

Humanities values voice and argument. "I argue" is direct. "This paper will argue" is wordy and indirect. The first is stronger.

Your professor's feedback proves you're on the right track. Keep using "I" where it fits.