I need some advice. I am terrible about using first and second person pronouns. I know in is not proper in academic writing, although I still have a tendency to overuse them. (Bad Habit)

When proofreading my paper, and I see that I have done it again, what is a good technique on fixing them? Thanks for any info or thoughts.

The best way is to tone down one's ego. Why do you think one has to say I? or We? It happens, and one has to adjust one's tone: Step back, it is not I, nor we, but a third person.

When one gets to that point, it becomes much less personal, and one has a tendency to remove oneself from the words, and let them speak for themselves.

Fixing them depends upon what a person is writing.

When you're proofing what you've written, highlight each first or second person pronoun. Then, reword the sentence. Note that in my first sentence above, I used "a person" instead of "you."

If you post a few of your rewritten sentences, we'll be glad to help you.

Great... thanks for the insight. I have not got to the point of rewriting the sentences yet. However, when I do, I will be sure to post a couple to make sure I am on the right track.

Great! And you're welcome.

It's great that you're looking for ways to improve your writing habits! Overusing first and second person pronouns is a common issue, especially in academic writing where a more formal and objective tone is expected. The good news is that there are several techniques you can use to fix this problem during the proofreading phase:

1. Search and Replace: Use the search function in your word processing software to locate instances of first and second person pronouns (e.g., "I," "we," "you"). Evaluate each instance and determine if it is necessary or if it can be rephrased without using a personal pronoun.

2. Rewrite Sentences: When you find an instance of a first or second person pronoun, try rewriting the sentence in a more objective manner. Focus on the subject matter or the general point you want to convey, rather than addressing the reader directly or including yourself in the discussion.

3. Use Passive Voice: In some cases, you can rephrase sentences to use the passive voice, which can help eliminate the need for personal pronouns. For example, instead of saying "I conducted the experiment," you could say "The experiment was conducted."

4. Consult a Style Guide: Refer to a reputable style guide, such as the APA (American Psychological Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association) guidelines, to understand the specific conventions and expectations for using personal pronouns in academic writing.

5. Ask for Feedback: If possible, ask a friend, professor, or writing tutor to review your paper and specifically highlight any instances where you have overused first and second person pronouns. This feedback can help you become more aware of your habits and improve your writing style in the long run.

Remember, breaking a habit takes time and practice. By consciously addressing and revising your use of first and second person pronouns during the proofreading stage, you can gradually improve your writing and develop a more academic tone.