How to Write an Essay in Third Person
Mastering the Third-Person Perspective
Writing in the third person is the standard for academic essays because it establishes an objective tone. To write in the third person, you must remove all personal pronouns like I, me, and my, replacing them with third-person pronouns or specific nouns. This guide covers how to identify personal language, restructure sentences for objectivity, and maintain a professional academic voice throughout your work.
Step 1: Eliminate Personal Pronouns
The first step in writing a third-person essay is to remove all references to yourself or the reader. Avoid first-person pronouns (I, me, my, we, us, our) and second-person pronouns (you, your). These words create an informal, conversational tone that suggests the information is merely your opinion rather than a researched fact. Instead of saying I believe the data shows, simply state The data shows. This shift forces the reader to focus on the evidence rather than the writer.
Step 2: Use Specific Nouns and Third-Person Pronouns
When you need to refer to a person, use specific nouns or third-person pronouns (he, she, it, they, him, her, them). In academic writing, it is often more effective to refer to people by their roles, such as the researchers, the characters, the participants, or the audience. If you are discussing a specific person, use their last name. This keeps the focus on the subjects of your analysis and maintains the necessary distance for a formal critique.
Step 3: Restructure Sentences for Objectivity
Many students struggle with third person because they try to translate 'I think' statements directly. To fix this, rephrase your claims to focus on the object of the sentence. Instead of writing I think the policy failed because..., write The policy failed because.... By removing the 'I think' or 'In my opinion' preface, your statement becomes a stronger, more authoritative claim. This structure implies that the conclusion is based on the evidence presented in the essay, not just a personal feeling.
Example: Converting First Person to Third Person
Observe how removing the author's presence makes the following excerpt sound more professional and evidence-based: **First Person (Incorrect):** `I believe that the Great Gatsby represents the death of the American Dream because I saw how Gatsby's wealth couldn't buy happiness.` **Third Person (Correct):** `The Great Gatsby represents the death of the American Dream as Gatsby’s immense wealth fails to secure genuine happiness or social acceptance.` **Analysis:** The second version removes the phrases **I believe** and **I saw**, making the statement an analytical observation rather than a personal thought.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent errors when attempting to maintain a third-person perspective:
- Slipping into second person: Do not use you to address the reader. Use readers or individuals instead.
- Using 'one' too often: While one is third person, using it in every sentence makes the writing feel robotic.
- Passive voice overuse: While trying to avoid I, writers often rely on passive voice (e.g., 'The test was taken'). Use active third-person verbs instead (e.g., 'The students took the test').
- Referencing 'this essay': Avoid saying This essay will show. Instead, state the thesis directly.
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