Consistent Point Of View

There are three points of view: first person, second person, and third person. First person refers to the narrator being referred to as I; second person is you or one (this isn’t used for narration); third person is he, she, it or they. The most common mistakes of this type involve using you when another point of view is required.

If one wants to improve oneself, you should make improvements to your body, mind, and soul.

If one wants to improve oneself, one should make improvements to one’s body, mind, and soul.

Once upon a time there was a young girl named Cathy, and I liked to write stories.

Once upon a time there was a young girl named Cathy, and she liked to write stories.

The panda bear sat in the corner of the cage, and they ate the bamboo leaves listlessly.

The panda bear sat in the corner of the cage, and he ate the bamboo leaves listlessly.

Personal and impersonal points of view should also be considered. Formal writing insists on use of the third person, which means there shouldn’t be any I’s in the writing. Be sure to keep formal or academic writing impersonal.

I did an informal experiment to explore the effects of sodium chloride on stone.

The author did an informal experiment to explore the effects of sodium on stone.

An informal experiment was conducted to explore the effects of sodium on stone.