Grammar and Punctuation Rules

Point of view (POV) refers to the perspective from which a piece of writing is told. The choice of POV significantly impacts how the writing is experienced by the readers. There are three points of view: first-, second-, and third-person

The first-person POV is used when the paper is told from the author's point of view.

Example pronouns: I, me, mine, my, we, us, our

Example sentences:

• I went to the Bell Museum.
• Alex gave me a flower.
• We need to pay more attention.

Unless specifically directed, do not use first person in formal or academic writing.

The second-person POV is used when the author of the paper directly addresses the reader.

Example pronouns: you, your

Example sentences: 

• If you look at the evidence, you can see the clear answer.
• Now you know what to do to make your apartment safer.
• You might understand the results better.

In most cases, do not use second person in any formal or academic writing.

The third-person POV is used when both the author and reader are left out of the writing.

Example pronouns: he, she, they, it, him, her, their, theirs, its, one

Example sentences:

• She did a sweep of the building and found it to be safe.
• It is clear that they enjoy what they do for work.
• One does not simply walk onstage.

A simple fix for changing second person to third person is by using the word "one" instead of "you."

Third person is the preferred voice in formal and academic writing.