WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Grammar Minute: RERUN - Banish Flabby Opinion Statements
Episode Date: November 5, 2024Angels appear to people. Opinions do not. So don't use this one common phrase in your academic essay, under peril of your professor's red pen! ...
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Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language 60 seconds at a time.
I'm Lauren Smith, and today's tip is a little unusual in that it has almost nothing to do with grammar.
Here it is, condensed to just four words.
Banish flabby opinion statements.
Academic essays are always the worst offenders.
It appears to me should never appear, but sadly it often does.
Angels appear to people, but opinions do not.
Chances are good that you did not stumble on your opinion one day while,
casually taking a stroll through a field of flowers.
You thought about it.
You argued for and against it,
and you went to the intellectual effort
of forming and holding an original idea.
Fight for that.
Argue your thesis statement.
Claim your facts and acknowledge your opponents.
Don't seem or appear to be expressing.
Do or do not, there is no appearing.
That's your Grammar Minute.
Visit thegrammerminut.com for more tips and tricks.