Is using first person in academic/technical essays always bad?

Question

For as long as I can remember, my teachers have taught me never to use first person in an essay. Yet, some of the examples we read in classes, or older writings we have to annotate, are written in first person. So what is the actual rule here? Why is using first person in essays considered unacceptable?

Answer 1

Using the first person is typically frowned upon in academic essays. That's why we're forced to use awkward phrases like "this author believes'. I'm not sure why using the first person in essays is considered unacceptable. Maybe it's just another hoop to jump through before you are accepted into the next tier of academic elitism. Good luck with your ascent inside the ivory tower :)