"I" versus "We"

[skbohler]

Hi everyone,

I have struggled deciding if I should write my copy from the first-person "I" or use "We".

Does "We" give a site more "credibility"?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...

Steve

[edited by: engine at 2:19 pm (utc) on Aug. 18, 2003]
[edit reason] edited self promo [/edit]

[edit_g]

Does "We" give a site more "credibility"?

Every time. For sure. Go with "We".

I actually tend to avoid "I" or "We" as much as possible when writing anything - but go with "We" if you have to put something.

[richardb]

Alternatively substitute I/We for company/site name.

In terms of the Internet I think We = I in a majority of cases.

Rich

[MonkeeSage]

Use both and make the transition smooth ("s'like buttah").

Case in point:
I generally start out with first person to identify my own voice over against a different view, but then as the thought progresses it is noted that others have come to hold the same or similar views; those of us who hold to these views find that we have a common bond of union and so the "I" naturally becomes "us" and "we." We believe, in this case, that limiting ourselves to first or third person narrative can reduce the impact and efficacy of our writing.

That or I'm just a nerd, either way. :)

Jordan

[edit_g]

limiting ourselves to first or third person narrative can reduce the impact and efficacy of our writing.

On a professional site I think there is a lot to be said for consistency.

[MonkeeSage]

edit_g:

I agree, and I didn't mean to encourage syntactical or grammatical inconsistency (?). I just meant that (imo) one should not feel constrained to first or third person narrative, when they can be consistently used together for greater impact and intimation.

"We here at WW..." - Has the authoritative impact, but lacks the personal identification.
"I ..." - Has too much personal identification, almost like an ipse dicit, lacking the authoritative impact.

"I...because we here at WW..." - Best of both worlds.

But again, that's just my own private opinion...I'm no CMS [chicagomanualofstyle.org] by any means! :)

Jordan

[jbinbpt]

I agree witn edit_g to avoid I and We. "Here at ******" gets used in some cases,
jb

[lorax]

I think the choice to use 'I' or 'we' and first or third person is dependent upon what you're writing about. If you're writing about your company I think 'we' is very appropriate - if you're writing about yourself, 'I' is appropriate. If you're writing about inanimate objects then third-person is most appropriate.

The use of 'I' tends to sound more selfish and egotistical IMO. Take for example:

I always use 'we' when writing about my company.

We always use 'we' when writing about our company.

[choster]

Yes, depends on what you're writing.

"I" can be more personal and direct than "we." Sometimes you want to be personal, and sometimes you want to hide in the crowd so to speak. Thus you see

"I am pleased to welcome you to the Class of 2063 of the University of Podunk" but "We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission to the University of Podunk" or even "After a lengthy and rigorous process, the Committee as decided to decline your application to the University of Podunk."

Which is better sounding?

"Dear Customer, We at Gigantaevil Corp understand your concerns about safety. We want you to know that protecting the environment is our top priority."
"Dear Customer, I understand your concerns about safety. As president of Gigantaevil Corp, I want you to know that protecting the environment is my top priority-- and my company's."

[jamesa]

Pet peeve: sites that use "we" when it's obviously one person. Usually they reveal themselves one way or another, sooner or later. Makes me think 'c'mon who are you fooling'.

[Tigrou]

Jamesa, don’t you believe in the virtual corporation where you include suppliers to bump up your headcount? ;-)

re: "I" vs. "we" -- In a vain attempt to catch the readers attention, I try a mix of "we" and other personal pronouns plus nouns such as "Giantevil Corp is..." or even keyword-laden phrases like "As an evil corporation..."

Actually, I'm still unsure of when to use "I" vs. "It seems" vs. "we" when posting on webmasterworld.

"I" -- sounds egotistical, but good to say it is only your own POV
"It seemed that the pronoun we was favoured for websites." -- Avoiding the personal pronoun and thereby stating it as a fact. Avoids ego, but is reminiscent of professors or parents lecturing.
"we" -- pretentious (as per Jamesa's point), unless stated as "My friends and I think..."

In the end I don't think there is a "right" way to write a post here. You just have to rely upon readers interpreting it in the positive way it was meant.

Colin

[mack]

On my site I always use "we" even although there is only one me involved. When doing a mailing I tend to use "I" simply to try and make the email appear more personl.

I think the "we" word tends to make a site apear more as a company.

Mack.

[contentmaster]

I agree with you lorax! It all depends on what you are talking about....if you are talking about a company as a whole it makes sense to use "we". However, if you're talking individually, you should use "I". I think a transition from we to i makes sense depending on what you're talking about.....there is no set rule....just see what makes sense