How do you avoid I in an essay?

Use the third person point of view. Never use I, my, or otherwise refer to yourself in formal academic writing. You should also avoid using the second-person point of view, such as by referring to the reader as you. Instead, write directly about your subject matter in the third person.

Is it OK to use first person in academic writing?

Do: Use the first person singular pronoun appropriately, for example, to describe research steps or to state what you will do in a chapter or section. Do not use first person “I” to state your opinions or feelings; cite credible sources to support your scholarly argument.

What person should I write an essay in?

Third person point of view is the most formal of the three, and should be used in most formal academic writing situations such as persuasive and expository essays. Remember that third person point of view focuses on the subject of the essay, not the writer or the reader.