As an expert in the field of academic writing and citation styles, I can provide you with a detailed explanation on the use of the third-person point of view in APA style. The American Psychological Association (APA) has established a set of guidelines for writing and formatting academic papers, which are widely used in the social sciences.

APA style emphasizes the use of the third-person point of view, which is considered more objective and scholarly. This means that when writing an academic paper, you should avoid using the first-person pronouns (I, we, our, me, us) and second-person pronouns (you, your). Instead, you should use third-person pronouns such as he, him, she, her, they, and their.

The third-person point of view helps to maintain a formal and impersonal tone in academic writing, which is a hallmark of scholarly discourse. It allows the writer to present information and arguments without personal bias or subjective interpretation. This is particularly important in the social sciences, where objectivity and the presentation of empirical evidence are highly valued.

When writing in the third person, it is also important to use passive voice judiciously. While passive voice can be appropriate in some contexts, such as when the subject of the action is unknown or less important, it is generally recommended to use active voice to make the writing more direct and engaging. However, the choice between active and passive voice should be guided by the specific requirements of the paper and the preferences of the writer.

In addition to the use of pronouns, APA style also has specific guidelines for other aspects of writing, such as the structure of the paper, the use of headings, and the formatting of references. For example, APA style requires that papers have a title page, an abstract, and sections such as introduction, method, results, and discussion. The references section must be formatted according to APA guidelines, which include the use of a hanging indent and specific formatting for different types of sources.

It is worth noting that while APA style is a widely accepted standard, there may be variations in its application depending on the specific requirements of a journal, university, or instructor. Therefore, it is always a good practice to consult the most recent edition of the APA Publication Manual or the specific guidelines provided by the entity for which you are writing.

In summary, the use of the third-person point of view in APA style is a key aspect of maintaining an objective and scholarly tone in academic writing. By avoiding first- and second-person pronouns and adhering to the other guidelines of APA style, writers can present their work in a manner that is consistent with the standards of the social sciences.

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On the other end of the point-of-view spectrum, second-person point of view is not acceptable under the APA style. This means avoiding the second-person pronouns of --you-- and --your.-- To stay in the third-person point of view, write using pronouns such as --he/him,-- --she/her-- and --they/their.--read more >>