Missouri State University-West Plains

Skip to content Skip to navigation
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Writing Lab

Your source for writing help.

  • About the Lab and Resources
  • About Online Tutoring
  • Writing Process
    • Common Errors in Writing
    • Drafting and Revising
    • MLA Parenthetical Citations
    • Outlines
    • Paragraph Development and Thesis
    • Peer Editing Guidelines
    • Plagiarism
    • Prewriting
    • Proofreading
    • Synthesis
    • Transitions
  • Rhetoric
    • Argument
    • Cause and Effect
    • Classification
    • Compare and Contrast
    • Critical or Literary Analysis
    • Definition
    • Description
    • Evaluation
    • Explaining a Concept
    • In-Class Writing
    • Narrative
    • Process Analysis
    • Problem Solution
    • Summary
  • Grammar
    • Active and Passive Voice
    • Adjectives & Adverbs
    • Commonly Confused Words
    • Dependent and Independent Clauses
    • Fragments
    • Nouns and Verbs
    • Perspective Shifts
    • Prepositions
    • Pronouns
    • Run-ons/Comma Splices
    • Sentence Variety
    • Subject/Verb Agreement
    • Verb Tenses
    • Wordiness
  • Mechanics
    • Abbreviations
    • Capitalization
    • Hyphen
    • Numbers
    • Special Print
    • Spelling
  • Punctuation
    • Apostrophe
    • Colon
    • Comma
    • End Punctuation
    • Quotation Marks
    • Semicolon
  • Other
    • BMS Lab Reports
  • Grizzly Tutoring Lab Home
You are here: Home / Grammar / Perspective Shifts

Perspective Shifts

To make sure pronouns in writing are consistent, check their point of view (the person they refer to). Person is nothing more than identifying who is speaking or being spoken about.
There are three types:
First-person: (“I,” “we”);
Second-person: (“you”);
Third-person: (“he,” “she,” “they”).
A writing point of view is inconsistent if a sentence switches person without any logical reason.

I like to eat when Peggy is in the backyard because you don’t have to worry about her getting in the way.

Even though Doc tries to keep her in another room, you still have to worry.

Think about it. Why would “you” worry if “I” have a problem? I’m the one who’s worried, so the sentence should show that: “I like to eat when Peggy is in the backyard because I don’t have to worry. . . .” See the problem and how to fix it?

A final suggestion:
In both sentences, the problem occurs with a shift to “you.” Simply avoid using “you” anywhere in a paper. It will help problems with inconsistent point of view, and it will make writing sound more objective.

Adapted from: http://aliscot.com/bigdog/consistency.htm

Main

  • Submit Your Paper for Review
  • Electronic Tutor Evaluation
  • Grizzly Tutoring Lab
  • Like us on Facebook!

MLA and APA help

  • APA Lecture
  • APA Student Paper Example.pdf
  • Editing essays using Word
  • MLA correcting extra spaces on Word
  • MLA Lecture
  • MLA on Word
  • MLA Works Cited on Word
  • Saving in PDF format

Other

  • Assessment of Multiple Intelligences

Writing Resources

  • Indiana University's Writing Tutorial Services
  • Purdue's Online Writing Lab
New beginnings...endless possibilitiesNew beginnings...endless possibilities
  • Last Modified: August 7, 2018
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Disclosures
  • EO/AA/M/F/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
  • © 2013 Board of Governors, Missouri State University
  • Contact Information