What is Third Person?
Third person writing uses pronouns like "he," "she," "it," and "they" to refer to subjects, avoiding the use of "I" or "you." It maintains a more objective and formal tone, ideal for academic writing.
APA Style Basics
* Title Page:
* Center the title (in title case, meaning only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized) at the top of the page.
* Include your name, affiliation, course name, and instructor's name.
* Use a running head on the left side (abbreviated title, max 50 characters) and page number on the right.
* Abstract (150-250 words):
* A brief summary of your paper, written in one paragraph.
* Include the research problem, methodology, key findings, and conclusions.
* It should be concise and informative.
* Introduction:
* Start with a hook that grabs the reader's attention.
* Briefly provide background information about the topic.
* State your research problem or question.
* Briefly explain your research methodology.
* State your main argument or thesis statement.
* Body Paragraphs:
* Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea that supports your thesis.
* Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph.
* Provide evidence from credible sources to support your claims.
* Use in-text citations to credit the sources you use.
* Conclusion:
* Restate your thesis statement in a new way.
* Summarize your main points.
* Discuss the implications of your findings.
* Briefly mention possible directions for future research.
* References:
* List all the sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order.
* Use APA formatting for citations and references.
Tips for Writing in Third Person:
* Avoid personal pronouns: "I," "me," "my," "we," "us," and "our" are all prohibited.
* Use objective language: Focus on facts and evidence, not opinions or beliefs.
* Use clear and concise language: Avoid jargon or overly complicated sentences.
* Use active voice whenever possible: "The study found..." is preferable to "It was found by the study..."
In-Text Citations
* Direct Quotes: Use quotation marks and cite the author, year, and page number.
* Example: "The study found that 'students who engage in active learning perform better on exams' (Smith, 2023, p. 15)."
* Paraphrases: Cite the author and year.
* Example: Smith (2023) argues that active learning strategies lead to improved academic performance.
* Multiple Authors: Cite all authors the first time, then use "et al." after the first author in subsequent citations.
* Example: (Smith, Jones, & Brown, 2023) → (Smith et al., 2023)
Example of Third Person Writing:
* Incorrect (first person): I believe that active learning strategies are beneficial for student success.
* Correct (third person): This research suggests that active learning strategies contribute to improved student success.
Additional APA Style Considerations:
* Formatting: Double-space your paper, use 1-inch margins, and use a 12-point font (Times New Roman is standard).
* Headings and Subheadings: Use APA-approved heading styles for organization.
* Tables and Figures: Follow APA guidelines for formatting tables and figures.
Remember: Carefully review the APA Publication Manual (newest edition) for specific instructions and examples.