Converting First and Second to Third Person

Definitions

First Person Voice:

• Words like I, me, my, ours, and we

• Used to tell personal stories

• Useful for the reader to see into the writer’s thoughts and feel the writer’s emotions

Second Person Voice:

• Words like you and your

• Used to directly address the reader, especially when giving directions

• Useful for the language of everyday life and creating a bond between the writer and the reader

Third Person Voice:

• Words like he, she, they, person, one, and descriptive words like author, reader, player

• Used in most formal academic writing

• Useful for the writer to maintain an all-knowing, unbiased perspective

Converting

Most writing assignments at the college level should be written in third person unless otherwise specified by

the professor. However, because first and second person are the voices used during everyday life, it is easy

to use them while writing. To convert a paper into the formal third person voice of academic writing, follow

these steps:

1. Read through the paper watching for first or second person words. Also watch for personal stories

that might require the use of first person. Mark these words with a highlighter or pen.

2. Return to any marked words. Are they phrases like “I think” or “I believe” that could be eliminated

completely?

Ex: I think Dallas Baptist University is a great school.

Revised ex: Dallas Baptist University is a great school.

3. Could any words that cannot be eliminated become third person words? Can “I” become “one,” or

“my” to “a person’s” or “you” to “a teacher”?

Ex: You should make sure your students all have pencils before handing out tests.

Revised ex: A teacher should make sure his or her students all have pencils before handing

out tests.

4. If there are still personal stories included that cannot be taken out or changed, can they be

converted into hypothetical stories, or is there an author in the research that has a similar example?

Ex: When I was little, I was bitten by a dog, and now I am afraid of them.

Revised ex: Many children are bitten by dogs at a young age, leading to adults who fear these

household pets.

Most uses of first and second person can be easily eliminated by reworking sentences or simply changing

words. A third person paper creates a stronger, unbiased argument, so it is well worth the time to convert.

Examples

Paragraph in First and Second Person (with first and second person words in bold):

For the first time in my life, I had to move out of my parents’ house and onto the college campus. I

immediately had to decide whether I wanted to live in a dorm setting or an apartment setting. You can see

benefits to both, but I think the dorms are better. In the dorms we have a better opportunity for social

interaction while we are adjusting to college. We also have easy access to all-you-can-eat food. Also, a

resident assistant acts as your mentor and guide throughout your first year of college. Although the

apartments would give me more independence, dorms are a better fit for me because of the social

opportunities, unlimited food, and mentorship.

Paragraph Converted to Third Person:

For many students, the first year of college is their first time living outside of their parents’ house. These

students must decide whether to live in a dorm setting or an apartment setting. Both have benefits, but

dorms are often the better option. In the dorms, students have a better opportunity for social interaction

while they are adjusting to college. They also have easy access to many food choices. Also, resident

assistants on the dorm halls provide guidance and mentorship for students. Although the apartments

provide more independence to students, dorms are a better fit for first-year students because of the social

opportunities, unlimited food, and mentorship.

authorization. Created by UWC Staff for Dallas Baptist University. http://www.dbu.edu/uwc. August 2015.