5.1.4

Opinions

Test yourself

Opinions

Opinions are personal beliefs – unlike facts, they can be argued with and different people have different opinions. By putting opinions into your writing, you help to build your own impression of the events you are describing, making the text more engaging.

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English is tedious

  • English is tedious.
    • In this phrase, the adjective ‘tedious’ is completely subjective. Some people may agree with this statement, but others would disagree – so this idea is a belief and can be argued with.
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Michael Jackson was the best musician

  • Michael Jackson was the best musician of all time.
    • In this phrase, the adjective ‘best’ is completely subjective. Some people may agree with this statement, but others would disagree – therefore, this idea is a belief and can be argued with.
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Ugliest sea creature

  • The ugliest sea creature is the manatee.
    • In this phrase, the adjective ‘ugliest’ is completely subjective. Some people may agree with this statement, but others would disagree – therefore, this idea is a belief and can be argued with.

The superlative ‘ugliest’ suggests that you believe that nothing could be uglier than the manatee – it also reinforces the idea that this is factual, although it is an opinion.

Tips for Using Opinions

Opinions are personal beliefs – unlike facts, they can be argued with. By putting opinions into your writing, you help to build your own impression of the events you are describing, making the text more engaging.

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Present opinions as facts

  • Opinions can be presented as if they are facts by writing them as statements which seem true – for example, using the verb ‘is’ implies that you are giving a fact, even when you are not.
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Choose adjectives carefully

  • Use opinions to give your own impression of a topic or subject – the correct choice of adjectives really helps to build up an image or idea for your reader.
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Choose vocabulary carefully

  • Your choice of vocabulary is vital in creating your language devices effectively.

Jump to other topics

1Key Terms

1.1Key Terms

1.1.1Key Terms - Nouns, Verbs & Sentence Types

1.1.2Key Terms - Words, Sounds & Language

1.1.3Key Terms - Images, Symbols & Mood

1.1.4Key Terms - Other Techniques

1.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Terms

2Language Techniques

2.1Language Devices

2.1.1Metaphors

2.1.2Similes

2.1.3Metaphors & Similes HyperLearning

2.1.4Personification

2.1.5Pathetic Fallacy

2.1.6Pun

2.1.7Oxymoron

2.1.8Hyperbole

2.1.9Alliteration

2.1.10Sibilance

2.1.11Onomatopoeia

2.1.12Emotive Language

2.1.13All Language Devices

2.1.14End of Topic Test - Language Devices

2.2Writing Structure

2.2.1Narrators

2.2.2Paragraphs

2.2.3Tense

2.2.4Present vs Past vs Future

2.2.5Foreshadowing

2.2.6Structure

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Writing Structure

3Paper 1: Reading

3.1Structuring Your Answer - Section A

3.1.1Overview - Section A

3.1.2Answering Question 1

3.1.3Answering Question 2

3.1.4Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Reading

3.1.5Answering Question 3

3.1.6Answering Question 4

3.1.7End of Topic Test - Section A

3.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Reading

4Paper 1: Writing

4.1Structuring Your Answer

4.1.1Overview - Section B

4.1.2Answering Section B

4.1.3Answering Section B - Checklist of Techniques

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Section

4.1.5Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Writing

5Paper 2: Reading

5.1DAFORESTER

5.1.1Direct Address

5.1.2Alliteration

5.1.3Facts

5.1.4Opinions

5.1.5Repetition

5.1.6Exaggeration (Hyperbole)

5.1.7Statistics

5.1.8Triples (Rule of 3)

5.1.9Emotive Language

5.1.10Rhetorical Questions

5.1.11End of Topic Test - DAFORESTER

5.2Structuring Your Answer

5.2.1Overview - Section A

5.2.2Answering Question 1

5.2.3Answering Question 2

5.2.4Answering Question 3

5.2.5Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Reading

5.2.6Answering Question 4

5.2.7End of Topic Test - Section A

5.2.8Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Reading

6Paper 2: Writing

6.1Structuring Your Answer

6.1.1Overview - Section B

6.1.2Answering Section B - Punctuation & Plans

6.2Types of Writing

6.2.1Article

6.2.2Essay

6.2.3Leaflet

6.2.4Letter

6.2.5Speech

6.2.6Review

6.2.7Travel Writing

6.2.8Diaries & Journals

6.2.9End of Topic Test - Types of Writing

6.3Writing to...

6.3.1Writing to Inform

6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example

6.3.3Writing to Explain

6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example

6.3.5Writing to Persuade

6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example

6.3.7Writing to Argue

6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example

6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue

6.3.10Writing to Advise

6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example

6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...

6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing

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Facts

Repetition