Tips

Grammar and Mechanics

Q.	Should I use the first person? In other words, should my sentences contain the words I, me, my, etc.?
A.	Yes. Use first person pronouns (I, me, my, etc.) when referring t yourself. Do not say 'this writer", "the researcher", "the interviewer", etc. when referring to yourself. Do not use the editorial we. In other words, do not use the first person plural pronoun (we, us, our) to refer to yourself only. According to the APA Manual, "For clarity, restrict your use of we to refer only to yourself and your coauthors (use I if you are the sole author of the paper.)" (2001, p.39). Exception: Inappropriate use of the first person can give the impression that you are not being objective in your writing. First person pronouns (I, me, my, etc.) are appropriate when describing the actions you take in conducting your research. They are also appropriate when describing your personal experiences. Elsewhere, however, references to yourself in research writing should be kept to a minimum. Avoid using phrases such as "I strongly believe...", "In my opinion...", and "I think..." You should maintain objectively in your writing.

Q.	When should I use the present or past tense?
A.	It depends. For most writers, the choice of tense is automatic and most often correct, so this section is intended for students whose advisor has recommended revisions on their writing. When and where you use different tenses in your writing depends on t the purpose of the writing (proposal or final report) and the topic being written about (prior research or your own research). (see more on correct tense use)

According toe the APA Manual, referring to yourself using terms like the researcher... "is ambiguous and and may give the impression that you did not participate in your own study" (2001, p. 37).

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Tense Use

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My Word - understanding meaning of "tense"