The Double Standard: Revised

If you’ve ever been told to leave out “I” in your school essays, you’re not alone. But have you noticed that a lot of professional writers use “I” all the time? It’s even common in published academic papers. So why are students told to avoid it like it’s a bad habit?

In one of my classes last semester, I lost points for using “I argue” in my introduction. Then, in a reading for the same class, the author did exactly that—in the first paragraph! That’s when I started wondering who these rules are really for.

Scholars, journalists, and essayists regularly use “I” to clarify their stance. In fact, many writing guides now encourage it when used appropriately. Julia Molinari, who writes about academic writing, points out that pretending the writer doesn’t exist is misleading. She says it hides the choices the author makes and gives a false sense of neutrality.

Kimberly N. Parker also explains that students are often shocked when they’re told they can use “I.” That shock shows how deep the rule runs in education. We’ve been taught that formal writing means impersonal writing, but professionals don’t follow that rule. They’ve just learned how to use “I” well.

So the problem isn’t with first-person writing—it’s with how it’s taught. Students aren’t shown how to use “I” with purpose. We’re just told to avoid it. And that doesn’t help us grow as writers.

It’s time we stop treating “I” like it ruins a paper. If professional writers are using it to strengthen their arguments, then students should be taught to do the same. The key is intention—not avoidance.

What about you?
Have you ever gotten conflicting messages about using “I” in your writing? What’s your take?

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