Essay questions: do's and don'ts?

Question

I'm writing an essay and I remember someone telling me that you shouldn't ask questions in the essay. I'm doing that a lot, then I answer myself in order to give the information that I have to write about. The info aren't important facts, they're my opinion on a subject. It's one of those that have you thinking like a philosopher....
Also, I keep talking as if I'm talking to someone else, specifically. I keep say "you". "If you..." "when you...."
stuff like that
I just want to know if I'm making a mistake by doing this

Answer 1

1) If the person who said you shouldn't ask questions is the person who will grade the essay, then don't ask questions.
2) If you are answering the questions, don't over-use this method. However, a limited use of questions can help clarity.
3) Opinions should be based on information. Explain why you have the opinions you do. Many times such questions in an essay test are not looking for a "right" answer; they're looking for a well-argued answer.
4) Philosophers actually do deal with information, facts, and definitions beyond opinions. The branch of philosophy devoted to this is epistemology.

Answer 2

Every essay depends on your teacher!!! But I know that some introductory paragraphs will ask a question to get the paper started, and conclusion paragraphs will sometime give a question to extend further exploration of a subject. However, if you continue to ask questions through the paper, it could possibly differ the reader from the subject or your opinion of the subject. Again, this really depends on what your teacher wants. Also you never write an essay in second person. Instead of "you" use one, a person, an individual, ect. for example, "If an individual....."

Answer 3

It would depend on your grade level. However, an essay is a formal document, and the word "you" makes your writing informal, as if you were speaking to the individual, as you recognize.
Here are some suggestions to substitute for "you.:"

"one" Example: If one does x, then y happens.
"a person", "an individual," "the protagonist (in a story)."

You're not exactly "making a mistake," but it usually isn't done. I suggest you read a few essays to determine how the writer refers to other people. Good luck.

Answer 4

It's best to avoid the second person point of view ( " you") when writing. It sounds like you are giving advice or orders to the person reading the essay. Example... " You should never drink whole milk; you should always drink 2 % milk."

Whoa... who are you to tell me what kind of milk to drink????
At the university, my proffs did not allow us to use the second person point of view when writing. At first it was hard, but then and now, I realize how much better a paper sounds without it.

Answer 5

You can speak however you choose in an essay. Just make sure to keep all your tenses the same. As in don't switch between I, you and one. If you wish to take out some of the 'yous' it's possibly to just drop them out. As in "when you are dealing with the concept of, whatever..." You could just say, "when dealing with the concept of...." See? :)