Centre for Learning, Innovation & Professional PracticeExpressing opinionsin academic writingKelly HartELSS [email protected] workshop will cover:How to express your opinion in academic writingThe dos and donts when expressing your opinionWhen, why and how to use tentative language8 Strategies with examples to effectively expressyour opinionOpportunities for you to practiseOpinions in academic writingMany university assessment tasks require our well-informedopinion. Lecturers want to hear our views after researching,critically evaluating and analysing.Being able to express your opinion effectively is importantbecause it: Brings academic tone to your writing Builds your argument throughout your task Increases your credibility Helps your writing sound smooth and professional Demonstrates your critical thinking and the results of thoroughresearch, analysis and evaluation Ensures you meet the requirements of an assessment task thatrequires opinion, analysis, critical thinking and independentthought.3Dos & Donts in academic opinions4 DO NOTDOWrite: I think, I believeWrite: In my opinion, in my viewWrite: From my perspective,As I see itWrite an opinion withoutsupporting it with researchand referencesBuild the strength of youropinion as you introduceevidenceBegin with tentative languageand use stronger language asyou develop your argumentUse a variety of techniques toexpress your viewsResearch thoroughly andinclude credible references tosupport your opinion The tentative approach5It is important to build a strong argument by supporting it withwell researched evidence.In the beginning, before we have presented any support for ourargument, it makes sense to be more cautious and less bold orconfident when expressing our opinion.Starting out tentatively and building to express your argumentconfidently by the end means the reader is more likely to acceptand respect your opinion (and give you a better mark!)So, how do we do this through language choices?Building your argument6STRENGTH OF OPINIONIt seems It could be argued that This suggests that Clearly This could indicate It is likely that The evidence indicates Undoubtedly Examples of tentative languageThere are so many words and phrases we can use to express a viewtentatively in the initial stages of starting our presentation of evidence: Seems It seems this approach results in negative implications. Appears This theory appears to be more inflexible than many others. May The difficulties may be due to a lack of experience. Might It might indicate that there are socioeconomic issues. Could A potential solution could include adapting procedures. Likely It is likely that the strategies implemented were ineffective. Possibly This possibly may lead to further problems. Perhaps Perhaps this model is not suited to the modern digital world.Other tentative vocabulary:arguably, conceivably, presumably, potentially, possible, it could beargued that , one potential view/solution/approach/reason could be.78 StrategyExamplesReferencingAny sentence or clause in your academic writing,without a reference (or a clear connection to areference) is considered to be your opinion. Carefullyuse in-text citations to separate research from opinion.Can you identify the opinion here:1. Class wide peer tutoring is recognised for providingefficient, individualised student-centred learning(Ayvazo & Aljadeff-Abergel, 2014), which means the varyingneeds of language students in the classroom can all beaddressed simultaneously. This is particularly valuable forstudents with learning difficulties, high-achievers anddisengaged students.2. Opportunities for successful mastery experiences arepivotal in building student efficacy (Raoofi et al., 2012), thusproviding language students who lack confidence, theconditions to succeed in class, can greatly improve theirbelief in their own skills and their confidence. Strategies to express your opinion9 StrategyExamplesAgree ordisagree withresearchIntroduce your opinion by bringing up research toagree or disagree with:Eg. Smith (2018) indicates tentative language isdifficult to use. Nevertheless it is clear that withunderstanding and hard work many students canmaster this important skill.Eg. Hart (2020) rightly confirms that expressingopinions in academic writing can be doneeffectively through various strategies.Eg. While Smith (2018) claims that tentativeacademic language is the same in written andspoken language, this is definitely not the case. Strategies to express your opinionStrategies to express your opinion10 StrategyExamplesReportingverbsCarefully chosen reporting verbs show your opinion aboutthe research or authors claims.Indicates; confirms; proves; clarifies; insinuates; confuses;alleges; claims; assumes;Eg. Some studies allege this model is limited in itsapplication, but they failed to review it in this context.Eg. Smith (2019) claims this is the key issue, however That phrasesIt is clear that; it is essential that; this indicates that; thisdemonstrates that; it is undeniable that; the evidencesupports that; it can thus be concluded that; this means that.Eg. It is clear that teachers should consider this whenplanning lessons. 11 StrategyExamplesAdverbs toemphasizeCertainly; definitely; undoubtedly; clearly; significantly;importantly; obviously; undeniably.Eg. Clearly, this issue must take precedence whensupporting patients in this sector.Evaluativeadverbspoorly; thoroughly; hastily; extremely; highly; un/fairly;in/adequately; in/sufficiently; convincingly; strongly;incorrectlyEg. Smith (2019) unfairly criticises students who do notapply evaluative adverbs in their academic writing, andprovides insufficient evidence of this.Eg. Pang (2020) convincingly proves that using evaluativeadverbs is something that improves with practice.Eg. Smiths research is poorly supported and it is clear heincorrectly assumes that all learners are the same. Strategies to express your opinion12 StrategyExamplesEvaluativeAdjectivesBeneficial; harmful; un/biased; in/effective; controversi
al;un/important; significant; salient; in/adequate;un/sustainable; ill-conceived; lamentable; contentious;debatable; dangerous; un/acceptable; questionable;limited; im/plausible; un/realistic; un/necessary; valid;valuable; strong; weak; in/sufficient;Eg. This questionable approach was an inadequateresponse considering the circumstances.Modal verbsWould; should; will; mustEg. This would be the best course of action.Eg. All companies should adopt this procedure.Eg. The aforementioned strategies will lead to majorimprovements.Eg. Urgent action must be taken by all parties involved. Strategies to express your opinionExpressing opinions Technique summaryAdapted from: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-paraphrasing.html 13 ReferencingClearly distinguishreferences from opinionwith in-text citationsDis/agree withresearchUse linking words tosupport or disputeauthors that youreferenceReporting verbsGive your opinion onresearch: Indicates;confirms; proves;clarifies; insinuates;confuses; alleges;claims; assumes;That phrasesIt is clear that; it isessential that; thisindicates that; thisdemonstrates that; it isundeniable that; theevidence suggests that;it can thus beconcluded that; thismeans that.Linking adverbsCertainly; definitely;undoubtedly; clearly;significantly;importantly; obviously;Evaluative adverbspoorly; thoroughly;hastily; extremely;highly; un/fairly;in/adequately;in/sufficiently;convincingly; strongly;incorrectly; possibly(tentative);EvaluativeadjectivesBeneficial; harmful;un/biased; in/effective;un/important;significant; contentious;debatable; dangerous;un/acceptable;questionable; limited;im/plausible;un/realistic;un/necessary; valid;valuable; strong;Modal verbsWouldShouldWillMustTentative languageMay; might; couldseems; appears;possibly; perhaps; likely Expressing opinions now its your turn Use the techniques we have discussed to express your opinion. You may decide if this is at the beginning, middle or end of your essay. For time efficiency you may invent research to support your point or todisagree with.Topic 1?Of the four skills reading, writing, speaking and listening listeningskills are the most difficult thing to learn in English.References you may choose to use:Listening skills usually require a considerably long period of time toacquire, normally involving the student experiencing a variety ofemotions ranging from depression and frustration (Walker, 2014, p.1)Adapted from: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-paraphrasing.html 14Expressing opinions Technique summaryAdapted from: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-paraphrasing.html 15 ReferencingClearly distinguishreferences from opinionwith in-text citationsDis/agree withresearchUse linking words tosupport or disputeauthors that youreferenceReporting verbsGive your opinion onresearch: Indicates;confirms; proves;clarifies; insinuates;confuses; alleges;claims; assumes;That phrasesIt is clear that; it isessential that; thisindicates that; thisdemonstrates that; it isundeniable that; theevidence suggests that;it can thus beconcluded that; thismeans that.Linking adverbsCertainly; definitely;undoubtedly; clearly;significantly;importantly; obviously;Evaluative adverbspoorly; thoroughly;hastily; extremely;highly; un/fairly;in/adequately;in/sufficiently;convincingly; strongly;incorrectly; possibly(tentative);EvaluativeadjectivesBeneficial; harmful;un/biased; in/effective;un/important;significant; contentious;debatable; dangerous;un/acceptable;questionable; limited;im/plausible;un/realistic;un/necessary; valid;valuable; strong;Modal verbsWouldShouldWillMustTentative languageMay; might; couldseems; appears;possibly; perhaps; likely Expressing opinions now its your turn Use the techniques we have discussed to express your opinion. You may decide if this is at the beginning, middle or end of your essay. For time efficiency you may invent research to support your point or todisagree with.Topic 2?English spelling is very easy to learn.References you may choose to use:It has been admitted that English has the worlds craziest spellingsystem. In order to really know English spelling, you have to memorizethe spelling of every word (Usatiuk, 2015, p. 1)Adapted from: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-paraphrasing.html 16Final tips Use references to support your opinion. Correctly use in-text referencing (Hart, 2019) to make your opinionclear and separate from the research. Build your argument: start from a tentative opinion and state yourview more strongly as you provide evidence. Use various techniques to express your views Avoid using I, in my opinion, from my perspective, as I see it etc.in traditional academic writing Notice and learn from examples of authors expressing their opinionby: Being aware when reading journal articles. Taking research notes by copying out direct quotations thatinclude opinion. Review these regularly, even those frompreviously completed assessment tasks. Voice record themon your phone and listen back regularly. Scanning journal articles and highlighting all the places whereopinion is expressedAdapted from: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-paraphrasing.html 17ReferencesAyvazo, S., & Aljadeff-Abergel, E. (2014). Class wide peer tutoring forelementary and high school students at risk: listening to studentsvoices. Support for Learning, 29(1), 76-92. doi:10.1111/1467-9604.12047Raoofi, S., Tan, B. H., & Chan, S. H. (2012). Self-efficacy inSecond/Foreign Language Learning Contexts. English LanguageTeaching, 5(11), 60-73. doi:10.5539/elt.v5n11p60Usatiuk, O. (2015). Why is English difficult to learn for Ukrainians.Transformation of the language image of a modern specialist:materials of the International scientific-practical student conferencefor students of non-language specialties: Zhytomyr, April 15, 2015,181.Walker, N. (2014). Listening: The most difficult skill to teach. Retrievedfrom: https://ebuah.uah.es/dspace/handle/10017/21619Adapted from: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-paraphrasing.html 18