Author & Third-Person Usage In Sources: A Guide

Understanding how to properly cite sources and use third-person perspective is crucial for academic writing and research. This article will delve into identifying the author of a source for your bibliography and how to recognize and correct instances of incorrect third-person usage. We'll break down the key elements, provide examples, and offer practical tips to ensure your writing is both credible and clear. Let's explore the nuances of academic writing and how to master these essential skills.

Identifying the Author in Sources Cited

When creating a Works Cited page or bibliography, accurately identifying the author is paramount. The author is the individual or group responsible for creating the work. This seems straightforward, but various scenarios can make author identification tricky. You need to ensure the credibility of your sources by correctly attributing the work to its creator. Let's discuss how to find the author in different types of sources and the importance of this step in research and academic integrity.

Books

For books, the author's name is usually prominently displayed on the cover and the title page. Look for phrases like "By" or "Authored by." If there are multiple authors, all names should be included in the citation, following specific citation style guidelines (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.). When you cite a book, you are acknowledging the intellectual contribution of the author, and providing a pathway for your readers to verify your sources. Make sure to transcribe the name exactly as it appears in the book, paying attention to any initials or titles included.

Sometimes, a book might have an editor or translator instead of a direct author. In these cases, you would cite the editor or translator, indicating their role in the citation. For edited volumes with chapters written by different authors, you would cite the specific chapter author when referencing their work, not the editor of the entire volume. This distinction is crucial for properly crediting the intellectual labor involved in creating the source material. Understanding these nuances helps maintain academic integrity and provides a clear picture of the source's origin.

Articles (Journal, Magazine, Newspaper)

Identifying the author of an article requires looking closely at the publication itself. In scholarly journals, the author's name and affiliation are typically listed at the beginning of the article. For magazine and newspaper articles, the author's name is often found near the title of the article or at the end. The rise of digital media has brought with it new challenges in author identification, as online articles may not always clearly state the author's name.

In cases where no author is explicitly named, consider whether the article is published by an organization or institution. If so, the organization might be considered the author. For instance, a report published by the World Health Organization would be cited under the organization's name. This practice is common in many citation styles, as it attributes the work to the entity responsible for its content. Understanding this convention helps in accurately citing sources from reputable organizations and institutions, particularly when dealing with reports, white papers, and other similar documents.

Websites

Websites can be particularly challenging when it comes to identifying authors. Start by looking at the top or bottom of the webpage for an author's name. You might also find author information on an "About Us" or "Contact Us" page. It's also essential to consider the nature of the website itself. Is it a personal blog, a news site, or an official organization website? Each type of site may present author information differently. For example, personal blogs often clearly display the author's name, while news sites may have bylines for individual articles.

If a website lacks a specific author, consider citing the organization or website name as the author. This is particularly common for official websites of institutions or companies. For content like government reports or corporate white papers, the publishing entity is often considered the author. In addition, be mindful of the URL’s domain and whether it is associated with a reputable source. Correctly identifying the “author” in these cases ensures that you are attributing the work to the appropriate entity, especially in the digital realm where content can easily be shared and replicated.

Other Sources (Interviews, Films, etc.)

For sources like interviews, films, or other media, the author might be the interviewee, director, or creator of the work. For an interview, cite the interviewee as the author. For a film, cite the director. For other creative works, identify the primary creator and use that name in your citation. You may also need to specify the role of the individual being cited, such as “Director” or “Interviewee.” This level of detail ensures that you are giving credit to the specific individual responsible for the content you are referencing.

In some cases, you might be citing a specific segment or contribution within a larger work. For example, you might cite a specific song from an album or an episode from a television series. In these instances, it is crucial to cite both the creator of the specific segment and the larger work to provide a comprehensive citation. By paying close attention to the nature of the source and the individual contributions, you can accurately identify the “author” and give appropriate credit where it's due.

Identifying Incorrect Third-Person Usage

Third-person perspective is a common and essential element of academic writing. It helps to create a sense of objectivity and professionalism in your work. However, incorrect third-person usage can lead to awkward phrasing, ambiguity, or even grammatical errors. Mastering third-person writing is essential for clear and effective communication in academic and professional contexts. Let's explore common errors in third-person usage and how to correct them.

What is Third-Person Perspective?

Before diving into errors, let's define third-person perspective. In third-person writing, you refer to people or entities using pronouns like "he," "she," "it," or "they," and use nouns to refer to people. This contrasts with first-person ("I," "we") and second-person ("you") perspectives. Third-person writing emphasizes the subject matter rather than the writer's personal opinions or direct engagement with the reader. This approach helps maintain a professional tone and focus on the evidence and analysis presented.

The key to effective third-person writing is consistency and clarity. Avoiding the use of “I” or “you” creates a sense of detachment and objectivity, making the writing more suitable for scholarly work. For example, instead of saying "I believe this theory is correct," a third-person construction might be "This theory is supported by the evidence." This shift in perspective reinforces the argument's basis in factual data and scholarly analysis, rather than personal opinion. Understanding this fundamental principle is the first step in mastering third-person writing.

Common Errors in Third-Person Usage

One common error is inconsistent pronoun usage. For example, mixing third-person pronouns with first- or second-person pronouns can disrupt the flow and clarity of the writing. For example, shifting from “He argued” to “I think he is right” introduces a jarring shift in perspective. Another common mistake is using the third person when personal reflection is more appropriate, or vice versa. For instance, in a reflective essay, first-person might be more suitable, while in a research paper, third-person is generally preferred.

Another prevalent error involves using vague or ambiguous pronouns. Pronouns should clearly refer to a specific noun. If the pronoun's reference is unclear, it can confuse the reader. For instance, a sentence like “The scientist told the assistant that he made a mistake” leaves ambiguity about who made the mistake. Clarity is paramount in academic writing, so ensuring that every pronoun has a clear antecedent is crucial. Paying close attention to pronoun usage can prevent misinterpretations and make the writing more coherent and persuasive.

Examples and Corrections

Let's look at some examples of sentences with incorrect third-person usage and how to correct them:

• Incorrect: "A supervolcano, as Yellowstone Park is reputed to be, would be catastrophic as one imagine."
  • Correct: "A supervolcano, as Yellowstone Park is reputed to be, would be catastrophic as one can imagine." (Corrects pronoun agreement and tense consistency)

This example highlights the importance of maintaining consistency in pronoun usage. The original sentence mixes third-person (