It depends on essay style. I saw a good essay writing guide on http://www.essaymama.com/ blog, there was a part about Styling the References....
I think yes ;(
I have an answer: 'A writer needs his poisons. The antidote to his poisons is often a book.' - Philip Roth
Maybe, this is not your tread. But I have some advice, as a newbie writer -read more - classic literature (to improve your english), greek myths...
“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were...
Why not to combine first and third person? I think it can be interesting experiment. I already saw this trick in one book, don't remember the name.
Separate names with a comma.