I, I, I… I
When reading the sub-title to this post, imagine the opening of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Great writing requires wordsmiths to pull from experiences. Experience generates passion, knowledge, and a foundation for the written word. It doesn’t, however, require the use of I, I, I… I — as in you, you, you… you.
Using I, is often the result of the ego. Wanting to be seen, heard, or perhaps recognized as an expert is human nature, but the word I can be dangerous. Why? It can be off-putting to readers, appear self-serving, or detract from the overall readability of the piece.
Let’s look at some examples of how to replace the use of I in your copy, while still letting you shine.
• The first sentence of this post started as: I’ve learned, over 30 years of writing, that great content requires… Ugh.
No one cares what I’ve learned, and the sentence is much stronger as a statement of fact, not my opinion.
• I was standing on the precipice of a 300-foot drop-off, and the view took my breath away. Ugh.
How about: From the precipice of a 300-foot drop-off, the view into the valley was breathtaking.
The reader gets that you’re the one standing on the edge.
• During my interview with John Smith, I asked him about the three keys to successfully hunting gobblers in the rain. He unselfishly outlined his proven tactics to me. Ugh.
What about: John Smith is one of the nation’s most respected turkey hunters. His rainy-day gobbler tactics can turn lousy, wet days into days of celebration. Here’s what he suggests.
Certainly, there are exceptions to the I Rule — as there are to every rule. Blog posts often use a first-person point of view, as does social media content. Some editors may even request a first-person perspective. So, I has its place in writing. The suggestion here is simply that eliminating the word I elevates writing.
Do you agree that eliminating the I/my/me references results in more interesting copy? If so, how would you change my post, “I Touched History Today?”
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