In academic writing, you should avoid writing as if you are directly addressing a specific person. This could be:
* A casual friend: Imagine talking to your best friend about your research. You'd use slang, contractions, and likely skip over some details. This style is inappropriate for academic writing.
* A specific expert in the field: While you want to show you're knowledgeable, don't assume your audience knows everything about the subject. Explain concepts thoroughly and cite sources appropriately.
* An imaginary "you": Avoid phrases like "You might think..." or "You can see..." This creates an overly familiar tone and blurs the lines between your own voice and the reader's.
Instead, aim for a formal, objective tone and address your audience as a group of scholars. Here's what that looks like:
* Formal language: Avoid slang, contractions, and overly informal expressions.
* Clear and concise writing: Make sure your ideas are presented logically and supported by evidence.
* Objective voice: Avoid using "I" or "we" unless absolutely necessary. Stick to third-person narration.
* Proper citation: Acknowledge and credit all sources to demonstrate your research and avoid plagiarism.
Remember, the goal of academic writing is to present your research in a way that is clear, concise, and accessible to other scholars in your field. Focusing on the content and presenting your arguments in a clear and logical manner will ensure your work is taken seriously.