The paper was written

You use this to introduce a study or report. It often appears in the abstract or the introduction. You can add details about the purpose. For example, The paper was written to analyze market trends. It acts as a formal anchor for your ideas. It keeps the focus on the data. Don't worry about being too repetitive. In research, clarity beats creativity every single time.

Use it in university essays or scientific journals. It is perfect for business white papers too. Use it when you want to sound like an expert. It works well when multiple authors are involved. It avoids the awkwardness of saying We wrote this. It creates a sense of authority. Use it when the 'who' matters less than the 'what.'

Avoid this in a casual text to your best friend. Don't use it in a personal diary entry. If you say The paper was written to a roommate, they might think you've turned into a robot. It is too stiff for creative storytelling. Avoid it in high-energy marketing copy. It can feel a bit cold and detached. If you want to show passion, use the active voice instead.

Western academic culture loves the 'objective observer' persona. Historically, scientists wanted to seem unbiased. They removed themselves from the text. This led to the dominance of the passive voice. Even though some modern journals now allow I or We, The paper was written remains the gold standard for tradition. It’s the linguistic equivalent of wearing a lab coat.

You might see The study was conducted or The report was drafted. These all follow the same passive logic. Sometimes people say This paper seeks to... to add a bit of life. In very formal settings, you might hear The manuscript was prepared. All of these aim for that same 'serious' vibe. Stick to the basic version if you are unsure.