Can I use first person 'I' in an academic essay?
Academic essays are typically written in an objective and formal tone. The usual advice is to generally avoid using the first-person pronoun (e.g. I or we); although this is becoming more acceptable and may be required in some essay assignments.
What are other features of academic style?
In a formal style, especially when working to a word count, full forms are preferred over abbreviated or contracted forms. i.e. use the full form "do not" rather than the contracted form "don't".
Your writing plan should give you a framework to work with (but you might need to adjust it as your work develops). Remember to adopt a critical perspective and develop your points by using external sources.
Go back to your research and find sources to fill in any gaps/points that may come up and that need evidence. Revisit the Researching section to get tips about how to do this.
Revise and redraft your work, ensuring that your argument is clearly identifiable and your material is well structured. Write your introduction and conclusion.
Remember to check which referencing system you should be using and be consistent throughout your assignment. You can use the referencing guides for help.
