writing technique help

NoQuarter

Hi all,

I have some exams coming up and I want to try to express my opinion in the exams, however, I cant stand to use terms like "I think" or "in my opinion" as they are law exams and this takes away from the formal style of writing I use.

So, are there any ways around this? How can I start a sentance containing my opinion without sounding juvenile?

Thanks.

partyatmygaff

According to my views, (Insert point)
My opinion on the matter at hand is (Insert point)
My take on the matter is as follows (Insert point)
I hold the view that (Insert point)
I surmise that (Insert point) [Only used if the opinion you're stating is inconclusive or neither positive or negatively proved]

There is nothing wrong with the word opinion, it isn't informal per se, it's the context it is placed in which sets the formality.

NoQuarter

partyatmygaff wrote: »

According to my views, (Insert point)
My opinion on the matter at hand is (Insert point)
My take on the matter is as follows (Insert point)
I hold the view that (Insert point)
I surmise that (Insert point) [Only used if the opinion you're stating is inconclusive or neither positive or negatively proved]

There is nothing wrong with the word opinion, it isn't informal per se, it's the context it is placed in which sets the formality.

Thanks for that, some good ideas.

Yeah I agree about "opinion", I have no prob with the word, it was the context that i meant and the "in my" part. I surmise that it just depends on your style of writing! :pac:

NoQuarter

partyatmygaff wrote: »

My take on the matter is as follows

PS, is this acceptable english? Or is it figure of speech/slang or whatever the term is??

pickarooney

Write in latin?

I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at - maybe give a couple of sample sentences?

EileenG

A rather laboured way might be "It is often considered..." or "Many people feel...." or "A possible interpretation is..."

However, I'm inclined to think you should put your argument, and then announce the conclusion you come to from the points you've made.

partyatmygaff

king-stew wrote: »

PS, is this acceptable english? Or is it figure of speech/slang or whatever the term is??

Well again it does depend on context.

My take on this stuff would be informal. My take on this matter sounds formal (At least to me anyway :pac:)


Another way to say that phrase is
From what has been (read/seen/heard/observed/whatever) I have cultivated the opinion that (Insert point)

NoQuarter

All going in the memory banks folks, thanks for the help, roll on january!

claire h

I know that often in academic writing you're supposed to avoid saying "I" or "my" or referring to yourself in other ways - is this what you're getting at, or is it just about particular phrasing?

There are always ways to get your own opinion across - just not in a one-phrase way.

"I think this thread is an interesting one." <-- obvious

"What makes this thread an interesting one is its focus on the writing style in examinations." <-- implicitly making the point that is obviously made, above, by pointing to a reason (any reason)

I'm guessing that with the opinions you'll be expressing, you will need to point to something specific to back them up (that's just good academic/exam practice), so that may be another way to go, where possible.