Essay Writing (Content): 2nd Person Voice

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

2nd Person Voice

Defining

2^nd Person Voice

Page 4

Second Person: It's All About You

In standard English, the only word you need for the second person is "you".

It is both the second person singular and plural forms.

That's it - it's all about you.

2^nd person voice will NOT be used in academic argument writing—unless—your instructor specifically assigns you a participation post or peer review.

When responding to a classmate, you know him/her on a personal level. There is a familiarity due to shared interests and classwork.

However, when you are writing an academic essay and the “YOU” pops up, it is awkward, and it takes the reader from being in your world of words to now thinking about themselves.

Discussion Board Writing

A mix of voice styles

When writing in the Discussion Boards for online classes, you will often use 2^nd person voice, and this is perfectly fine.

You are reflecting on a reading, an advertisement, a writing, or a video while addressing your classmate.

However, when you are presenting your feelings and ideas, responding specifically to a question or comment your classmate posted, and then you bring in the resources to defend why you feel that way, you must shift to 3^rd person voice.

Please remember that a Discussion Board post is NOT an essay. Even though I will remind you time and time again to write in our 3-part-layout (introduction, body, and conclusion sections), this does not mean that you are crafting an essay. This means that you are crafting writing that leads in, presents, and leads out. No matter your field-of-study, you will always write in a 3-part-layout.