A new anthology, What am I doing here? A guide to first-person journalism, invites readers to rethink the role of the first-person narrative. Edited by Danish researchers and lecturers from the Danish School of Media and Journalism – Steffen Moestrup, Jesper Gaarskjær, and Gitte Luk – the book makes a compelling case for the thoughtful use of “I” in journalistic storytelling, across mediums and genres.
– We can craft journalistic stories in the first person, incorporating a visible and active presence in the narrative. In certain contexts, this approach can enhance the quality of journalism and deepen audience engagement. But when is this effective? Which stories benefit from an active voice, and how should it be executed? These are the questions we address in our anthology, says Moestrup.
The book examines how first-person narration is used across various forms of journalism, from features and reportage to investigative pieces, profiles, and ghostwriting. It also addresses the challenges of using personal voice in essays, memoirs, audio and digital stories, ethnographic journalism, and personal photography.
What am I doing here? is a practical textbook designed to inspire journalists, editors, communicators, educators, and journalism students “to a well-considered and qualified use of ‘I'”, the editors emphasise.
Notes From a Manuscript Editor: The Benefits of Using the First Person and Active Language
What’s in a name? Why does it matter if one uses “I”, “we”, or “the author”? Does it make a difference if one does something, or if something has been done? On what side should the scales tip when balancing clarity against so-called objectivity? Let’s consider these questions.
Read more arrow_forwardOn the Origin of the Third Person in Abstracts
Have you ever wondered why abstracts are often written in the third person? It seems quite weird that a researcher who has spent months writing and rewriting, not to mention the time spent gathering data, submits an abstract where “the author” suggests this or that. Why not “I” (or “we”)?
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