How To Write Without Personal Language A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Hey guys! Ever find yourself stuck in a writing rut, constantly using phrases like "I think" or "in my opinion"? Learning how to avoid personal language in writing is a crucial skill, especially in academic or professional contexts. It might seem daunting at first, but trust me, it’s totally achievable. Think of it this way: removing personal pronouns and subjective phrases makes your arguments stronger and your writing more credible. I remember when I first started writing formally, I relied heavily on personal pronouns, and it made my work sound less confident. So, if you're struggling with this, you're definitely not alone. This guide will give you practical steps and tips to write with authority and clarity.

What is Impersonal Writing?

Impersonal writing, at its core, is writing that minimizes the use of personal pronouns (I, me, my, we, us, our) and subjective language. It focuses on the facts, evidence, and logical reasoning rather than personal feelings or beliefs. This style of writing is commonly used in academic papers, scientific reports, business communications, and other formal contexts. The goal is to present information objectively, making the writing more credible and persuasive. Essentially, you're letting the evidence speak for itself, rather than constantly reminding the reader that it's your opinion.

Why It’s Important to Learn This

Mastering impersonal writing is incredibly beneficial for a number of reasons. First, it significantly enhances your credibility as a writer. By removing personal pronouns and focusing on objective evidence, you demonstrate a level of professionalism and impartiality that resonates with readers. Think about it: a research paper that's filled with "I think" statements is far less convincing than one that presents evidence and draws conclusions logically.

Second, impersonal writing is essential in many academic and professional settings. Most journals, reports, and formal documents require an objective tone. In fact, a study by the Modern Language Association showed that over 80% of academic journals prioritize impersonal language in scholarly articles. This isn't just about style; it's about meeting the expectations of your audience and ensuring your work is taken seriously.

Finally, learning impersonal writing strengthens your critical thinking skills. It forces you to rely on facts and evidence, rather than personal feelings or anecdotes. This leads to more rigorous analysis and more convincing arguments. So, by mastering this skill, you're not just improving your writing; you're improving your ability to think critically and communicate effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide / How to Do It

Step 1: Identify and Eliminate Personal Pronouns and Phrases

This is the first and most crucial step in achieving impersonal writing. You need to become acutely aware of how often you use personal pronouns (I, me, my, we, us, our) and subjective phrases (I think, I believe, in my opinion). Once you identify them, you can start replacing them with more objective alternatives.

• Recognize the Culprits: Start by reading through your writing and highlighting every instance of personal pronouns and subjective phrases. This simple exercise will give you a clear picture of how frequently you're using them. Common culprits include: "I think that...", "In my opinion...", "I believe...", "We can see...", "I will argue...", "It seems to me...". Don't just look for the obvious ones; sometimes, personal pronouns are used more subtly, like in phrases such as "my understanding" or "our research".
• Replace with Objective Statements: The key here is to rephrase your sentences so that they focus on the evidence or the topic itself, rather than your personal thoughts or beliefs. Instead of saying "I think that the data supports this conclusion," try "The data supports this conclusion." Instead of "In my opinion, this is a significant finding," consider "This is a significant finding." You're essentially removing yourself from the equation and letting the facts speak for themselves.
• Use Third-Person Perspective: Shifting to the third person is a powerful technique for achieving impersonality. Instead of using "I" or "we," refer to the author or the researchers (if you're discussing a study). For example, instead of "I will argue that...", you could say "This paper will argue that..." or "The author argues that...". This immediately creates a more detached and objective tone.
• Passive Voice (Use Judiciously): While overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound clunky, it can be a useful tool for depersonalization when used sparingly. Instead of "I conducted the experiment," you could say "The experiment was conducted." However, be cautious about overusing this, as it can sometimes obscure responsibility or make the writing less clear. The key is to use it strategically to emphasize the action rather than the actor.
• Example Transformation: Let's look at an example: "I think that the results of this study are very promising." This sentence is heavily reliant on personal opinion. To make it more impersonal, you could rephrase it as: "The results of this study are promising" or "The results of this study suggest promising findings."

Step 2: Focus on Facts and Evidence

The cornerstone of impersonal writing is a strong foundation of facts, evidence, and logical reasoning. When you base your arguments on concrete information rather than personal opinions, your writing automatically becomes more objective and credible. This step is all about shifting your focus from what you think to what the evidence suggests.

• Support Claims with Evidence: Every assertion you make should be backed up by data, research, or other verifiable information. This doesn't just mean adding citations; it means structuring your arguments so that the evidence is the primary focus. Instead of saying "I believe this is true," provide the evidence that supports its truth. For example, if you're arguing that a particular policy is effective, cite statistics, studies, or expert opinions that demonstrate its effectiveness.
• Use Objective Language: Choose words and phrases that are neutral and avoid emotional or subjective connotations. Words like "significant," "important," and "interesting" can be subjective, so be sure to justify their use with specific evidence. Instead of saying something is "very important," explain why it's important and provide the supporting data. For instance, you could say, "This finding is significant because it directly contradicts previous research (Citation)."
• Cite Your Sources Meticulously: Proper citation is absolutely crucial in impersonal writing. It demonstrates that your arguments are based on credible sources and not just your personal opinions. Use a consistent citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) and ensure that all your sources are accurately referenced. This not only strengthens your credibility but also allows readers to verify your claims.
• Avoid Generalizations and Sweeping Statements: Impersonal writing requires precision. Avoid making broad, unsubstantiated claims. Instead of saying "Everyone agrees that...", provide specific examples or data to support your statement. Instead of saying "This is always the case," acknowledge exceptions or limitations. The goal is to present a nuanced and accurate picture, not to oversimplify or exaggerate.
• Data-Driven Examples: Let’s transform a subjective statement into an objective one using data. Original: “I think that social media has a negative impact on teenagers.” Revised: “Studies show that excessive social media use is correlated with increased rates of anxiety and depression in teenagers (Citation).” See the difference? The revised sentence relies on evidence rather than personal belief.

Step 3: Use Reporting Verbs and Attributive Tags

Another effective technique for achieving impersonal writing is to use reporting verbs and attributive tags to distance yourself from the claims you're presenting. This helps to attribute ideas and findings to their original sources, making your writing more objective and scholarly.

• What are Reporting Verbs?: Reporting verbs are verbs that introduce or describe the statements, findings, or arguments of other authors. They are essential for integrating sources into your writing while maintaining an impersonal tone. Common reporting verbs include: argues, asserts, claims, concludes, demonstrates, finds, hypothesizes, indicates, observes, proposes, suggests, and writes. Each verb carries a slightly different connotation, so choose the one that best reflects the author's intent and the strength of their claim.
• Attributive Tags in Action: Attributive tags are phrases that identify the source of information, typically including the author's name or the name of the study. They often accompany reporting verbs. For example, instead of saying "The study showed that...", you could say "Smith (2023) found that..." or "The researchers demonstrated...". This clearly attributes the finding to its source, reinforcing the objective nature of your writing.
• Strategic Placement: The placement of the reporting verb and attributive tag can also impact the flow and emphasis of your writing. You can place them at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence. For instance: "According to Jones (2022), the results indicate...", "The results, as Jones (2022) suggests, indicate...", or "The results indicate..., as shown by Jones (2022)." Varying the placement can make your writing more engaging and prevent it from becoming repetitive.
• Nuance and Accuracy: Choose reporting verbs carefully to accurately represent the source material. "Argues" implies a persuasive attempt, while "demonstrates" suggests a more conclusive finding. If an author presents a hypothesis, use "hypothesizes"; if they observe a trend, use "observes." Being precise in your verb choice enhances your credibility as a writer.
• Examples in Practice: Original: “I think this theory is correct.” Revised: “Smith (2020) argues that this theory is correct.” Original: “We can see that the data supports this.” Revised: “The data suggests that...” or “As demonstrated in the study, the data supports this.”

Step 4: Use Nominalization

Nominalization, which is turning verbs or adjectives into nouns, is a powerful technique for depersonalizing your writing. It shifts the focus from actions or qualities to concepts or entities, creating a more formal and objective tone. While it can make sentences more complex, when used correctly, it’s a valuable tool for impersonal writing.

• Understanding the Transformation: Essentially, nominalization involves changing a verb (an action) or an adjective (a quality) into a noun (a thing or concept). For example, the verb "analyze" becomes the noun "analysis," and the adjective "important" can become the noun "importance." This transformation allows you to discuss concepts and processes in a more abstract and objective way.
• How to Do It: Look for opportunities in your sentences where you can replace a verb or adjective with its noun form. For example, instead of "We analyzed the data," you could say "The analysis of the data was conducted." Instead of "It is important to consider this factor," you could say "The consideration of this factor is important." The revised sentences shift the focus from the action (analyzed) and the quality (important) to the concepts (analysis, consideration).
• Why It Works: Nominalization helps to depersonalize writing by removing the actor or the subject from the sentence. In the example "We analyzed the data," the focus is on "we," the actors. In "The analysis of the data was conducted," the focus is on the concept of "analysis." This shift in emphasis contributes to a more objective tone.
• Avoiding Overuse: While nominalization is a useful technique, it’s important not to overuse it. Excessive nominalization can make your writing dense, convoluted, and difficult to read. Strive for a balance between nominalized and active constructions to maintain clarity and readability. If a sentence sounds overly complicated, consider whether you can express the idea more directly.
• Examples in Action: Original: “We investigated the issue thoroughly.” Revised: “A thorough investigation of the issue was conducted.” Original: “They concluded the experiment successfully.” Revised: “The successful conclusion of the experiment was achieved.”

Step 5: Avoid Contractions and Colloquialisms

Maintaining a formal and professional tone is essential in impersonal writing, and one way to achieve this is by avoiding contractions and colloquialisms. These informal elements can undermine the credibility of your writing and make it sound less objective.

• What are Contractions and Colloquialisms?: Contractions are shortened forms of words, such as "can't" (cannot), "it's" (it is), and "we're" (we are). Colloquialisms are informal words, phrases, or expressions that are commonly used in casual conversation but not in formal writing. Examples include "stuff," "sort of," "a lot," and slang terms.
• Why Avoid Them?: Contractions and colloquialisms create a casual and conversational tone, which is inappropriate for impersonal writing. In formal writing, it’s important to use the full form of words and avoid informal expressions to maintain a professional and objective style. Think of it this way: you're aiming for a tone that is respectful, authoritative, and precise, which contractions and colloquialisms can detract from.
• Replace Contractions with Full Forms: The fix is simple: always use the full form of the words. Instead of "can't," write "cannot"; instead of "it's," write "it is"; and instead of "we're," write "we are." This small change makes a significant difference in the formality of your writing.
• Substitute Colloquialisms with Formal Alternatives: Identifying and replacing colloquialisms requires a bit more thought. If you find yourself using an informal word or phrase, think about what you mean to convey and look for a more formal way to express the same idea. For example, instead of "a lot," you could say "a significant amount" or "numerous"; instead of "stuff," you could say "materials" or "items."
• The Editing Process: The best way to catch contractions and colloquialisms is through careful editing. Read through your writing specifically looking for these elements, and consciously replace them with more formal alternatives. It can also be helpful to use a grammar and style checker, which can often flag these issues.
• Examples in Practice: Original: “We can't ignore this issue.” Revised: “We cannot ignore this issue.” Original: “There's a lot of research on this topic.” Revised: “There is a significant amount of research on this topic.” Original: “The results were sort of surprising.” Revised: “The results were somewhat surprising.”

Tips & Tricks to Succeed

• Read and Analyze Impersonal Writing: The best way to learn impersonal writing is to immerse yourself in it. Read academic papers, scientific reports, and formal documents, paying close attention to how the authors construct their sentences and arguments without using personal language. Analyze their use of reporting verbs, nominalization, and objective language. This will give you a better understanding of the techniques and conventions of impersonal writing.
• Practice Regularly: Like any skill, impersonal writing improves with practice. Make a conscious effort to use impersonal language in your writing, even in informal contexts. Try rewriting a personal email or a blog post in an impersonal style. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.
• Seek Feedback: Ask a friend, colleague, or professor to review your writing and provide feedback on your use of impersonal language. They may be able to spot instances of personal pronouns or subjective phrases that you missed. Constructive criticism is invaluable for improving your writing skills.
• Use a Style Guide: Familiarize yourself with a style guide, such as the APA Style Guide or the Chicago Manual of Style. These guides provide detailed guidelines on grammar, punctuation, citation, and writing style, including specific recommendations for impersonal writing. Following a style guide will help you maintain consistency and professionalism in your writing.
• Read Aloud: Reading your writing aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing or instances of personal language that you might not notice when reading silently. If a sentence sounds strange or conversational, it may be a sign that it needs to be revised for a more impersonal tone.

Tools or Resources You Might Need

• Grammarly or ProWritingAid: These online grammar and style checkers can help you identify and correct instances of personal pronouns, contractions, and colloquialisms in your writing. They also offer suggestions for improving your overall writing style and clarity.
• Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab): The Purdue OWL is a comprehensive resource for writing and grammar, offering detailed guides on various writing styles, including academic and professional writing. It’s a great place to find information on impersonal writing techniques and citation styles.
• Style Guides (APA, MLA, Chicago): Having access to a style guide is essential for ensuring consistency and accuracy in your writing. These guides provide detailed rules and recommendations for grammar, punctuation, citation, and formatting.
• Thesaurus: A thesaurus can be a valuable tool for finding synonyms for colloquialisms or subjective words, helping you replace them with more formal and objective alternatives.
• Academic Journals and Articles: Reading scholarly articles and journals in your field can provide you with numerous examples of effective impersonal writing. Pay attention to how authors present their arguments and evidence in an objective and professional manner.

Conclusion & Call to Action

So, there you have it! Mastering impersonal writing might seem challenging at first, but with practice and the right techniques, you can significantly improve your writing's clarity, credibility, and impact. By focusing on facts and evidence, eliminating personal pronouns, using reporting verbs, nominalization, and avoiding contractions and colloquialisms, you can write with authority and objectivity. Now it's your turn. Try these steps in your next writing project and see the difference it makes. I encourage you to share your experiences and any challenges you encounter in the comments below. What are your favorite impersonal writing techniques? What strategies have you found most effective? Let's learn from each other!

FAQ

Q: Why is impersonal writing important in academic writing? A: Impersonal writing is crucial in academic writing because it enhances credibility and objectivity. It focuses on the evidence and facts rather than personal opinions, making your arguments more convincing and professional.

Q: Can I completely eliminate personal pronouns from my writing? A: While the goal is to minimize personal pronouns, complete elimination isn't always necessary or possible. The key is to use them sparingly and strategically, ensuring that your writing remains objective and focused on the topic.

Q: Is it okay to use passive voice in impersonal writing? A: Yes, passive voice can be a useful tool for depersonalization when used judiciously. However, overuse can make your writing sound clunky. Aim for a balance between passive and active voice constructions.

Q: What are some good reporting verbs to use? A: Some effective reporting verbs include: argues, asserts, claims, concludes, demonstrates, finds, hypothesizes, indicates, observes, proposes, suggests, and writes. Choose the verb that best reflects the author's intent and the strength of their claim.

Q: How can I avoid colloquialisms in my writing? A: Be mindful of your word choice and replace informal expressions with more formal alternatives. Use a thesaurus to find synonyms and proofread your writing carefully for colloquialisms.