Faith A. Tissot, MSN, RN, CCRN
Writer’s Camp Guest Counselor
It is acceptable to use “I” and “me” in scholarly writing, but there are guidelines.
If you have ever stopped writing mid-sentence and thought whether to write “Ann and I went to the conference,” or “Ann and me went to the conference,” you are not alone. It is not uncommon for seasoned writers to feel bewildered over the use of the pronoun “I” or “me.” These two words can completely change how our sentences sound. Pull up a chair and let’s get comfortable while revisiting the grammar lessons from our childhood.
To Do or Receive: That is the Question
“I” is the subject of a pronoun; it does the action. “Me” is the object of the pronoun and receives the action.
These examples are straightforward:
- I wrote this article for Writer’s Camp.
- Dr. Nicoll emailed me.
Here is where most of us get perplexed, and a simple method for determining the correct first-person pronoun in sentences involving more than one person.
- Ann and I attended the conference.
- The conference presenter called on Ann and me.
A trick I like to use to ensure first-person pronoun accuracy is to remove the other person from the sentence, read it aloud, and decide which first-person pronoun is correct.1 I would not say in a conversation: “Me attended the conference, or “The conference presenter called on I.” Perhaps, if I were the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, I would, but that will not get me far in scholarly academia or publication.
How Did We Get Here?
According to linguist Huddleston, confusion and misuse of I and me stem from the issue of identifiability. Identifiability, in simple terms, is to be identified.2 It sounds more natural verbal conversations to use the first-person pronoun “me” due to word order preference.2
Why Accuracy Matters
One of our responsibilities as nurses is to remain the most trusted profession and to lean in on our scientific contributions to our discipline. We earn this honor by building a reputation for trustworthiness. Our command of language and grammar fosters trust. The choice of the right pronoun creates smoother writing and improves the flow of ideas and content for the reader. A secondary benefit is the ability to create a rhythm and flow of our own voice in our writing. We have the freedom to decide and shape our writing tone and voice. Accuracy is further supported by publication manuals’ rules for the use of I as a subject and me as an object of the pronoun in formal and scholarly writing.3
It’s All About the Context
You may ask, how do I adjust my pronoun choice when I am having a face-to-face conversation with another camper at Writer’s Camp? Grammatical rules state that it is acceptable to say, “Me and Ann went,” since this reflects usual speech patterns. However, there are people (like our Writer’s Camp Director) who would never say this and would always default to “Ann and I went.” If you are writing an essay for your Writer’s Camp rainy day activity, it is suggested that the acceptable way of writing in a more professional tone would be “Ann and I.” The difference is the level of professionalism and formality.4
Know Your Audience
Before submitting your manuscript or academic writing to your intended audience, authors must read and align their writing with the author guidelines to verify the acceptable use of pronouns. Journals and other scholarly publications will differ; by dedicating the time to review specific author guidelines, you are investing in yourself and your writing.
- Writing for peer-reviewed journals: Read the author guidelines section carefully and follow the instructions outlined by the journal. Keep in mind that author guidelines can differ. Adjust your pronoun use to align with the journal’s guidelines. Look at articles in the journal to see examples of what is typical.
- Follow your professor’s preferences when crafting your writing to meet an assignment rubric. If you are unsure, ask your professor for clarification.
- The same rule applies when submitting a grant proposal. The funder will provide specific guidelines. If you are unsure, email your question to the funder. Reputable funders will encourage you to email them if you have any questions or concerns, and add an email link within the application.
Writing Styles—Not Harry Styles!
The American Psychological Association (APA) style specifically states that there are no rules against using first-person pronouns and encourages writers to avoid ambiguity. APA style explicitly states that when writers express their own views or those of co-authors, they use the pronouns “I” and “we.” 5 However, APA discourages the use of second-person pronouns (“you,” “your”) in scholarly writing because they create an informal or conversational tone and may overgeneralize or make assumptions about the reader. Instead of addressing the reader directly, APA recommends using neutral phrasing, third-person constructions, or carefully chosen passive voice to maintain clarity and an appropriate academic voice.
American Medical Association (AMA) style permits the use of first-person pronouns (“I,” “we”) when doing so improves clarity and accurately attributes actions or interpretations to the authors. Using first person helps avoid anthropomorphism and overly passive constructions. However, AMA discourages the use of second-person pronouns (“you”) in scholarly writing because such language is conversational and disrupts the formal tone expected in scientific communication. Instead of addressing the reader directly, authors should use neutral or third-person phrasing to maintain professionalism and precision.6
Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) persuasively encourages the use of first-person pronouns when there is a need for clarity- an example is “I analyzed the data with…database.” However, second-person pronouns are completely avoided in formal writing for peer-reviewed journals and manuscripts.7
The Modern Language Association (MLA) has historically been more conservative in its stance on the use of first-person pronouns. It is not forbidden but frowned upon. Use first-person pronouns only when necessary. An example would be giving your point of view. This would be seen in philosophical manuscripts, for example, “I argue that Emancipatory Knowing Philosophy can be utilized to promote social justice initiatives for the foster care population.” The use of “I” will prepare the reader of the authors point of view and be anticipating the author’s claims to back up their statement.7
Conclusion
Our personal writing voice is as distinctive as a fingerprint. It reflects who we are, how we are perceived as scholarly authors, and how we interpret the world around us.8 Our voice comes with responsibilities, which include sensitivity and inclusive language.8 As fellow campers or counselors at Writer’s Camp, we come to learn, discover, and at times unlearn the grammatical guidelines we believe are fixed. It is not just I or me who writes or learns. It is we, the authors, who venture to find our voices. We all belong around the Writer’s Camp campfire.
References
- Amanda N. When to use I, me, and myself: English grammar rules. Improving Your English. September 19, 2023. Accessed October 30, 2025. https://improving-your-english.com/grammar/i-me-myself/
- Huddleston R. Cambridge Grammar English Language. E-Book, Cambridge: Cambridge UP.; 2002.
- American Psychological Association. Publication Manual (OFFICIAL) 7th Edition of the American Psychological Association. 7th ed. American Psychological Association; 2023.
- When to use “I” and when to use “me” | Britannica Dictionary. In: Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/when-to-use-i-and-when-to-use-me
- American Psychological Association. The first-person myth. APA Style Blog. Published October 26, 2021. Accessed November 19, 2025. https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/first-person-myth
- American Medical Association. AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. 11th ed. Oxford University Press; 2020.
- Purdue University. MLA writing style: first person rules. Accessed November 19, 2025. https://www.purdue.edu/home/search/
- Chinn PL. Finding your voice and writing well: Situating yourself within your text. Nurse Author Ed. 2017;27(2):1-9.
Author: Faith Tissot
Faith Tissot is a PhD learner at Texas Woman’s University. Her dissertation research, grounded in hermeneutic phenomenology, explores how mirror-viewing experiences facilitate the restoration of self-connection among adults aging out of foster care. She has previously worked as an adjunct professor at Molloy College, Rockville Centre, New York, and as a registered nurse at St. Francis Hospital, Port Washington, New York. In her nursing career, she has specialized in cardiac surgery and non-invasive cardiology. Faith is eager to share what she has learned through personal experience with fellow learners and scholars.
Reviewed and Edited by: Leslie H. Nicoll and Jenny Chicca
Copyright © 2025 Writer’s Camp and Faith Tissot. CC-BY-ND 4.0
Citation: Tissot F. The power of I (and me): A writer’s guide to first person clarity. The Writer’s Camp Journal. 2025;1(3):18. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17831798