Why should you not use pronouns in formal writing?

1. Do not use first-person pronouns (“I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” “us,” etc.). Using these expressions in analytical and persuasive essays can make the writing wordy, can make the writer seem less confident of his or her ideas, and can give the essay an informal tone.

What is 2nd person in English?

noun. the grammatical person used by the speaker of an utterance in referring to the one (second person singular ) or ones (second person plural ) to whom he or she is speaking. a pronoun or verb form in the second person, as the pronoun you in English, or a set of such forms.

Can you use first person pronouns in an essay?

You can use first-person pronouns in your essays, but you probably shouldn’t. The problem I see most often is that students use these pronouns in thesis statements like these: “In my personal opinion, the central character in Hamlet is Ophelia.”

What types of pronouns are acceptable to use in narrative essays?

• First-person is typically used in narrative writing.
• Second-person is not typically used in academic essays because it addresses the audience directly.
• Avoid the use of “you” when asking questions of your audience.
• Third-person is the most common point of view in academic writing.

How do you write formal?

9 Tips for Formal Writing Style

1. Use the active voice.
2. Use literal and concrete language.
3. Be concise.
4. Be careful with placement of descriptive words and phrases.
5. Do not use abbreviations or contractions.
6. Avoid repetition.
7. Always try to put statements in positive form (do not put them in negative from).
8. No exclamation marks outside of quotations.

Should you use personal pronouns in an essay?

Readers want to know where you stand, and it is sometimes helpful to assert yourself by putting your own opinions into the essay. Use personal pronouns enough to get your point across clearly without inundating your readers with this language.