Well, as long as you ask...
I think that Father Enderlin’s advice was good. It was general, and provided for exceptions.
It depends on what one is trying to accomplish. For most kinds of writing, third person helps to focus the writer, and protects him from defaulting to his own bias. But for some types of writing, the first person is wonderful, essentially, when that bias will improve the piece rather than pollute it.
So it’s all a matter of what you’re trying to accomplish.
I therefore write in third person most of the time, but occasionally I use first when appropriate.
I really only mentioned it in this column as a hook; I thought that introduction might grab the attention of some readers I wouldn’t otherwise have had. But of course there’s always a risk in such a choice: people who don’t like such a gimmick (like you) will read no further.
That’s fair. You have every right to skip it on priniciple.
Cheers,
JFD
As I said, I was taught the same rule in 5th grade. I remember it distinctly. I can still see the teacher towering over me as she said it. "DON'T WRITE IN THE FIRST PERSON! NO ONE WANTS TO READ "I I I I" OVER AND OVER!"
It was a harsh rule and it really turned to off to writing.
Well, I haven’t finished reading it all yet :o but given that no one else seems to have either, it seems like these multinational platforms should definitely be reined in. Maybe you mentioned the possibility of making them into utilities, which would be governed by specific rules? Even the USPO was reined in by its refusal to deliver certain types of mail (birth control info).
I’m just jumping in to get beyond the use of I in writing to the real point of your article!