In 8th and 9th grade, I took a class called WriteShop where we learned how to write descriptive paragraphs and in the second year, how to write essays. Now, I was taught that we should never use "I" "me" and other words indicating the first person, even if it was in first person (for the essays, anyway). We were never allowed to say, "in my opinion" or "I think" because it's already "obvious that it's your opinion." However, I think I am inclined to disagree. When we read articles in magazines and such, doesn't the common people tend to assume that it is truth unless stated otherwise? I could say to a five year old, "the sky is green" and they would believe me. Adults aren't really that different, it's just that adults don't believe it unless it's in proper format. If someone says it out loud, it's a lie, if it's written in a magazine or the newspaper, it must be true, right? Now, take a look at this post. I am using a lot of, "I"s and other things to show that it is truly just my own opinion in thinking that WriteShop is wrong. I have personalized it so that it doesn't sound like a string of facts. I ask you questions, I make jokes, I give examples; perhaps WriteShop only wants the facts, but facts are for machines, our world turns on by art and thrives on creativity. The facts are a necessary part to keep the world alive, like water, but the world would lose it's will to live if we didn't add some spice to it here and there. I don't mean adjectives and adverbs. I mean a soul. The reader really and truly doesn't care (unless you're a critic like most of my family) about the format or the way a story or essay is written. They only care about the content and what's inside. Don't judge a book by it's cover, and don't judge a story by the way it's written.
Okay, so really I'm just writing this because I'm writing an essay and I want to put this really funny line in there but I'm pretty sure my mom will make me take it out... and I know I'm not following any rules from WriteShop, but really, when I read an essay, this has always been my favorite kind, and I'm pretty sure a lot of people would agree.
Well it's not just writeshop - I was taught to write this way in college English courses. The idea behind it is that it's more professional in nature - your opinion sounds true and solid if you don't make the statement that it is your opinion. Compare the difference: "The idea behind it is..." vs. "I think the idea behind it is..." Now all of the sudden my sentence is very take it or leave it. If you are writing an essay, there is usually some level of convincing you are trying to do - in which case you want your opinion to sound as factual as possible. Now with all that being said, once you become famous, write a book, or even write in your Upper Division courses - it's more likely you can write however you want...or however your publishers want.
ReplyDeleteIn all the top level philosophy journals I read, people use "I" all the time. But remember, there's no "I" in "me."
ReplyDeleteWho is considered the greatest writer of all time? Shakespeare? and this guy made up words.. You do whatever you want.
ReplyDelete