1. Formal Voice 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd Person Language

2. * Academic writing should always use formal language * Informal = Casual and familiar. Often, informal writing looks just like everyday speech. * Examples: * “Well that was interesting!” * “cause that’s lame.” * Formal = Specific, professional and uses academic language. * Example: The plot of The Giver was interesting because of the various conflicts and character development.

3. * Don’t use first and second person pronouns * First person is used when referring to yourself (I, me, my, mine, etc.) * Second person is used when addressing the reader or readers directly (you, yours, etc.) * Don’t use “fillers” * Fillers are words that we often use in casual speech * (Like, well, so, um, ‘cause etc.) * Don’t overuse rhetorical questions * Definition: A question that is asked to make a point, and isn’t meant to generate a reply.

4. * First person language makes analytical writing sound weak! * Remove “I” statements such as “I think…” “I believe…” etc. * State your analysis in third person, as if it is a fact! Example: I think Truman showed great bravery during the storm. Vs. Truman showed great bravery during the storm.

5. * Second person language sounds too familiar for academic writing! * Remove second person pronouns to make your writing sound neutral and professional. * Replace pronouns with specific names, or third person pronouns. Example: Jonas realized that everything was a lie when he saw his father kill the newchild, and when you see a baby killed, you get sad and angry. Vs. Jonas realized that everything was a lie when he saw his father kill the newchild, and when he saw the baby killed, he became sad and angry.

6. First Person Pronouns Second Person Pronouns Third Person Pronouns I Me My Mine We Us Our Ours You Your Yours He She It His Hers Its Him Her They Them Their