Opinion Statements
Check for and fix any "red flag" opinion statements that cannot withstand critical review
Opinion statements are points of view that cannot be defended against logical critical review, e. g. "Technology improves efficiency" cannot be defended against the critique that some technology does not. Indefensible opinion statements reduce reader trust and respect, and to reviewers such statements are like a red flag to a bull - they invite attack. You can "fix" an indefensible statement by:
- Provide support to make it defensible, e.g. add supporting references to better make the case.
Reduce statement strength to as necessary for the argument, e.g. reduce the above to "Technology may improve efficiency"
Moderate absolute terms, e. g. "Some technology improves efficiency"
Hedge the statement, e. g. "That technology improves efficiency is one of the themes of this paper"
Make it a question, e. g. "Does technology improve efficiency?"
Displace the statement, e. g. "Many argue that technology improves efficiency"
If you state your opinions as facts the reader may dismiss other good ideas you may present by association. Also the reader with the opposite opinion may be the one reviewing your paper. Delete or modify indefensible red flag opinions, especially if not crucial to the main argument, lest your paper because it tries to make indefensible "points" that are not really necessary to make at all.
Example(s)
(Use a descriptive name, e. g. "ITExample". Or click on an existing collection and edit it.)
