• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

Essays, how do u express ur opinion (1 Viewer)

sammygirl

New Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2007
Messages
17
Location
Broken Hill
Gender
Female
HSC
2007
we got asked to write an essay on:

"I am a man more sinned against than sinning", King Lear
Do you agree or disagree with this quote? in your answer refer to atleast 2 interpretations.

im just wondering how you're supposed to write an essay on your opinion of something when we were taught the whole point of an essay is to be formal, not say we or i, and make everything seem factual??????:confused:
 

201055

BaCC 07~~
Joined
Sep 26, 2005
Messages
127
Gender
Male
HSC
2006
Essays still have to stick to the formal structure, but its necessary (and quite valid) at the introduction and conclusion to give your own answer (ie. "I agree to an extent.... i disagree... etc") involving first person language. But for the rest, such as the analysis, you must stick to third-person language.

*Might want to do something about the double posting as well.
 

Season

Member
Joined
May 30, 2006
Messages
360
Location
ACT
Gender
Female
HSC
2007
You don't have to say "I agree" or "I disagree" to show your opinion. The fact that you affirm it in your writing proves that its your opinion.

ie look at the following sentences

BAD
I think that the 1996 Disney film successfully updates Victor Hugo's 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' to make it appropiate for contemporary audiences, while still retaining Hugo's core message.

Good
The 1996 Disney film successfully updates Victor Hugo's classic novel, 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' to make it appropriate for contemporary audiences, while still retaining Hugo's core messages.

Both are my opinion, but the second one is much stronger.

With yours write down your opinion and then cross out the words "I think", or "my opinion is".
 
G

Gavvvvvin

Guest
201055 said:
Essays still have to stick to the formal structure, but its necessary (and quite valid) at the introduction and conclusion to give your own answer (ie. "I agree to an extent.... i disagree... etc") involving first person language.

Dunno where you got that from.

Thou shall not write in the first person :mad1:
 

alexvincent

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2005
Messages
100
Location
Sydney
Gender
Male
HSC
2006
You should be able to write in the first person in essays. Academics do it all the time. It's just a rule that students get taught in early high school years. Just don't over use first person. Mix it up (control of language).
 

dr baby beanie

*is so happeeeeee!!!*
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
792
Location
the beach :D
Gender
Female
HSC
2007
In the HSC you're allowed to use first person/I if there is an essay in paper one - "Journeys" but the modules paper as Gavvvvvin said
Gavvvvvin said:
Thou shall not write in the first person
(well this is how I've been taught).

Also your view should come across within the essay...and if you get stuck you could use the word 'one.'
:):)
 
Last edited:
G

Gavvvvvin

Guest
Hmmm well from what Google tells me you can apparently write in the first person. I have still yet to see one done so that hasn't been written by someone in primary school and stand by my claim.
 

Sad Statue

Banned
Joined
Jul 21, 2007
Messages
178
Gender
Male
HSC
2007
In our extension class, we have had endless debate over this subject. Essentially, if the question asks you for your opinion, use first person in a controlled and intellectual manner.

If not, avoid it like twenty plagues.
 

Saintlexical

New Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2007
Messages
12
Location
Inner West, Sydney, NSW
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
There is nothing wrong with writing in the first person, but if you have a look at Season's excellent reply about this you will notice that writing in the first person more often than not detracts from your statements.

Her advice is worth heeding.

write down your opinion and then cross out the words "I think", or "my opinion is".
Just keep in mind that you should know exactly why you are writing in whichever voice you are writing in.

All this is slightly off-topic though. To get back to the original question, your personal opinion is implied by the evidence that you give in your answer.
 

kloudsurfer

Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2006
Messages
848
Location
Narellan
Gender
Female
HSC
2007
Sad Statue said:
In our extension class, we have had endless debate over this subject. Essentially, if the question asks you for your opinion, use first person in a controlled and intellectual manner.

If not, avoid it like twenty plagues.
QFT.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top