The impersonal voice, which never refers to the writer or reader, has been preferred in formal writing – especially in academic and government fields – because it was considered more professional and objective.
However, this approach is now declining in favour of putting the participants back in, in either the first or third person:
The government policy on land clearing seems outdated. [impersonal]
becomes
We consider the government’s policy on land clearing outdated. [first person]
or
To most Australians, the government’s policy on land clearing is outdated. [third person]
In science and other academic areas, the use of an impersonal voice and passive constructions takes the researcher out of the process; this was standard in scientific writing. However, the first-person active voice is now increasingly common:
Studies were conducted on the function of the protein. [impersonal]
becomes
We conducted studies on the function of the protein. [first person]
Most academic journals now accept, and even prefer, first-person active constructions:
Did you know? Journals that ask authors to use a first-person active voice include
Nature:
‘
Nature journals prefer authors to write in the active voice (“we performed the experiment ...”) as experience has shown that readers find concepts and results to be conveyed more clearly if written directly.’
A typical research report or journal article uses a mixture of the first person and impersonal constructions. First person works well for things that are specific to the activity (eg personnel, equipment, locations, techniques), and impersonal works well for the objective results (outcomes that should not depend on who did what):
We used a Smith and Wu Model 235B desktop beamline at the University of XYZ to determine the crystal structure of the protein. [first person] The protein structure was found to be … [impersonal]
Benefits of not using an impersonal voice
Use of first person often avoids ambiguity about who did what, especially when the document refers to the authors’ own work as well as that of others:
These results were duplicated in Jones et al (2012) … An echocardiogram was also used to verify that the patients had atrial fibrillation. [Who reported the additional echocardiogram? Was it the researchers of this paper or Jones et al?]
becomes
These results were duplicated in Jones et al (2012) … We have since used an echocardiogram to verify that the patients had atrial fibrillation.
Using a first-person active construction also removes confusion associated with broad claims and statements:
It is believed that … [Does this mean ‘I believe that …’ or ‘it is a generally held belief that …’?]
Because use of impersonal voice and passive constructions removes the actor, such language can be used to avoid taking responsibility for messages that are unlikely to be received well:
It was decided to close the school. [impersonal]
versus
We decided to close the school. [first person]
Government and other bureaucratic writing is moving away from the impersonal voice to add the actor back in, using either first or third person:
It was assumed that the road would be upgraded within the year. [impersonal]
becomes
We assumed that the road would be upgraded within the year. [first person]
or
Randwick Council had assumed that the road would be upgraded within the year. [third person]
A common area where the impersonal voice is unhelpful is writing recommendations. The impersonal voice is sometimes used because no-one has decided who will actually do what or because the writer does not want to indicate responsibility for an action. However, recommendations written in this way are unlikely to be implemented, and it is always better to indicate who is responsible:
It is recommended [by whom?] that the facility be upgraded [by whom?].
becomes
The Dean has recommended that the facility be upgraded by the users.
A review of the procedures should be conducted [by whom?].
becomes
The procedures should be reviewed by the executive.
See Balancing active and passive voice for more information on avoiding impersonal constructions, and Using abstract nouns and avoiding indirect constructions for further strengthening your writing.
Tip. Use a combination of perspectives, and active and passive language to create a clear and engaging text, as shown in this extract from Nature:
Nature receives approximately 10,000 papers every year and our editors reject about 60% of them without review. (Since the journal’s launch in 1869, Nature’s editors have been the only arbiters of what it publishes.) The papers that survive beyond that initial threshold of editorial interest are submitted to our traditional process of assessment, in which two or more referees chosen by the editors are asked to comment anonymously and confidentially. Editors then consider the comments and proceed with rejection, encouragement or acceptance. In the end we publish about 7% of our submissions.
