My high school teacher literally wrote “NO FIRST PERSON EVER” on the board. In blood. I think.
But now I’m in college. I read published papers. They say “I argue that…” “We observed…”
So which is it?
I wrote a philosophy essay using “I believe” seven times. Got a B+. Comment: “Good arguments but too conversational.”
Then I rewrote without “I” — same content, just passive voice hell. Got an A-.
So the crime isn’t “I.” The crime is sounding weak.
But here’s my real question: do professors just say they hate first person because it’s easier to grade? Or does it actually make essays worse?
I want to write naturally. Like a human. But I don’t want to get penalized for existing in my own paper. Help.
But now I’m in college. I read published papers. They say “I argue that…” “We observed…”
So which is it?
I wrote a philosophy essay using “I believe” seven times. Got a B+. Comment: “Good arguments but too conversational.”
Then I rewrote without “I” — same content, just passive voice hell. Got an A-.
So the crime isn’t “I.” The crime is sounding weak.
But here’s my real question: do professors just say they hate first person because it’s easier to grade? Or does it actually make essays worse?
I want to write naturally. Like a human. But I don’t want to get penalized for existing in my own paper. Help.
