Can I put “I” in this paper?: How to establish your voice in research

Picture this: you get an assignment and start to read the instructions and all it tells you is to write a compelling analytical research essay on a topic of your choosing. You sit there puzzled, wondering what exactly you’ll talk about. Is this even real? Do you have power over what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it? 

“I’m shocked, this is shocking news!”  

I think this is one of the biggest revelations when it comes to writing while in college. 

“What do you mean I can choose what to research?” 

I’ve seen many students with anxiety from being given an assignment that, in their eyes,is not clear and with no direction. But that’s the beauty in it all. There is so much potential in being given the freedom to explore a topic of your choosing and it’s one of the best ways to create your narrative/authorial voice in a traditionally non-personal way. 

I get it, it’s frustrating. Just another huge change to the structure of your academic life. However, while it may be an unpopular opinion, what you learned in your high school English class is not law. This is just another skill you’ll soon learn to master with time. Be open to having this newfound freedom to explore your untapped potential and creativity.

Depending on the field, research papers can be full of personality and voice. Still, it’s hard for a student who’s always been given direction and told what to write to suddenly have all this freedom. Where do you even start? 

For me, I simply think about what it is I’m interested in. It could be a book we discussed in class, exploring deeper concepts, or simply indulging in personal interest. Whatever it is, think about what makes this important to you. Ask driving questions such as: is this being talked about by other people, why should others care, or what makes this interesting as opposed to something else? Navigating these questions can help us become confident in diving into a research topic that we will personally enjoy. No one likes writing an essay about something that doesn’t interest them and that’ll show through your writing. 

By now you may be wondering how to insert yourself into your research paper. Do you just go full steam ahead in using “I”? To tell you the truth, it is that simple! While repetition may be a roadblock, using phrases like, “In this essay, I will” or “My project will focus on” can alleviate anxiety over using “I” and inserting yourself into your research.  

Another common roadblock in establishing your voice in research is balancing your thoughts with your sources. It seems like a daunting task; how else can you prove your point? However, we never want our writing to get bogged down by voices other than our own. A good tool is to practice the CER (claim, evidence, reasoning) model. First, state the claim that you want to take. Next, add your evidence from the source whether it be a short sentence blurb or a whole paragraph. Finally, unpack the evidence yourself by asking questions. What is the evidence saying about your topic? Does it help prove or complicate your main claim? What else can be a takeaway? Remember, the goal is to write about a topic you are interested in and to formulate and explain a claim or thesis that you have.

Just because this isn’t a personal statement or a reflective essay doesn’t mean you lose your sense of self or voice when you write. Research papers are just another avenue of creative and innovative writing.

So yes, you can say “I” in your paper. Just double check with your professor first. 

About the Author

Shawn Williams is a senior Africana Studies and English student originally from Sterling, VA. Besides working at the Writing Center, they love to write poetry while jamming to Janet Jackson and Donna Summer records.

Quote: “A writer’s life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.” – Toni Morrison

Photo by Amador Loureiro on Unsplash