First Person: Self-indulgent?

It is interesting to me that the first person has such a new presence in academic writing. After being taught so vehemently all these years not to use “I,” all of a sudden it in encouraged. I wonder whether elementary school teachers will eventually begin to teach students its proper usage, as Graff and Birkenstein attempt to do.

In chapter five, “And Yet,” Graff and Birkenstein endorse the first person, while making an important distinction in when using it is appropriate. When introducing an argument, to distinguish one’s own argument from that of others, for instance, it acceptable to write, “I will be arguing.” The time to avoid using “I,” however, is when asserting another’s point. Graff and Birkenstein use the example, “’she is correct’ instead of ‘I think that she is correct’” (73). I would agree that this is a valid point. Using “I” too often runs the risk of sounding monotonous, to use Graff and Birkenstein’s word.

Where my opinion differs from that of Graff and Birkenstein, though, is on the point of why using “I” has been looked down upon for so long. They use two words to describe the way first-person writing sounds, according to teachers: “subjective” and “self-indulgent” (72). Subjective? Sure, for what word is more subjective than “I”? Self-indulgent is where my views diverge. To me, rather than looking to make a point or a whole paper self-important the use of first person shows a lack of confidence. Instead of asserting one’s own opinions as truths (which in itself is a bit self-indulgent, isn’t it?), as in the example above of “she is correct,” the phrase “I think that she is correct” shows reluctance, almost shyness, in the writer’ own point. In feeling the need to preface a point with “I think” or something of the like is indicative of “in my humble opinion,” which asserts a significant lack of confidence.

I am partial to first person, and hope it is here to stay in academic writing. It is an effective way to begin an argument, or counter a differing point. And yet, as the saying goes, all good things in moderation. Its over usage has the potential to hinder student writing by sounding insecure. The use of “I” should be limited in academic writing to build confidence in student writing and the points they are trying to make.