i think that essay

11 Other Ways To Say “I Think” And “I Believe” In An Essay

It can be tempting to say “I think” or “I believe” in an essay, especially when writing a personal narrative or opinion-based essay. The issue with this phrase is they tend to read as informal and weak. This article will explore some stronger alternatives that are worth considering.

What Can I Say Instead Of “I Think” And “I Believe”?

There are many different ways to express that what you’re saying is an opinion or a conclusion you have drawn using stronger wording than “I think” and “I believe.” Here are some options:

• In my opinion
• It could be argued
• Many believe
• This suggests
• It can be concluded
• It makes sense
• This proves
• This supports the idea
• X makes a strong case

The preferred option is “in my opinion.” “In my opinion” is clear and direct, and sounds more formal than “I believe” and “I think.” It’s a good way to make it clear that what you’re saying is your personal opinion while still sounding credible.

In My Opinion

“In my opinion” is a good choice when you’re writing a first-person essay. “Opinion” implies more fact-based consideration than “believe” and more depth than “think.” “Opinion” also comes off as more confident than both “think” and “believe.”

“In my opinion” sounds formal enough to be appropriate in an essay, but can still maintain the conversational tone that is typically expected in first-person essays.

Here’s what “in my opinion” looks like in context:

• In my opinion, every public school student should be offered a free lunch option.
• Reading through this book was challenging not for the content but for the dull writing style. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be upheld as a classic.
• In my opinion, neither argument was particularly convincing.

It Could Be Argued

This sort of hypothetical phrasing isn’t always considered strong, but “it could be argued” is still a solid choice for third-person essays that require you to explore various arguments.

“It could be argued” is useful when you need to analyze multiple arguments or look at something from multiple angles. It allows you to point out some arguments or thoughts people might have in general to develop your argument.

Here are some ways you can use “it could be argued”:

• It could be argued that teaching Shakespeare in school only serves to confuse students due to the extremely antiquated language.
• It could be argued that the color blue represents sadness, but there are many examples in the text that point to blue instead representing loneliness.
• The bird could be a representation of her fear. Conversely, it could be argued that the bird is there simply because the lead character loves birds.

Many Believe

“Many believe” is useful when you want to discuss widely held beliefs and the fact that these beliefs are widely held is common knowledge. You can also use “many believe” when you have a statistic to back up the claim.

“Many believe” is better than “I think” and “I believe” in those sorts of situations because it creates a less personal statement. That helps it feel more formal and makes the argument feel more expansive.

Here’s how you can use “many believe”:

• Many believe that eating any kind of fat is unhealthy, but nutritionists disagree.
• According to the poll, many believe that doing yoga and drinking enough water will cure certain mental illnesses.

This Suggests

“This suggests” is a great choice for drawing a conclusion based on the evidence you’ve presented. It’s stronger than “I think” and “I believe” because it explicitly ties your ideas to other ideas.

You’ll typically use “this suggests” after presenting some evidence or an argument. “This suggests” introduces your analysis and often your argument.

For example:

• The flowers in the vase didn’t die until after Ashley fought with her mother. This suggests that the state of the perpetually near-death flowers was serving as a metaphor for the state of Ashley’s relationship with her mother.
• Jodi’s favorite color was green. This suggests some part of her was tied to everything green represented in the novel, even if she denied it.

It Can Be Concluded

“It can be concluded” is a good replacement for “I think” and “I believe” in third-person writing. It emphasizes the conclusions you’re drawing based on previously detailed evidence.

Like “this suggests,” “it can be concluded” comes after you present some evidence or ideas. It directly connects your thinking to the evidence, which supports a strong argument.

 Here are some examples:

• As such, it can be concluded that the core message of the story is the real reward was the friendships we made on the journey.
• It can be concluded that he never knew what happened to his father and was simply making up different versions of the story as the subject was too difficult for him to discuss directly.

It Makes Sense

“It makes sense” is a phrase can use to introduce a thought or insight you have. It’s subtly persuasive and can fit into both formal and informal essay styles.

“It makes sense” is deceptively strong wording. While it may seem soft at first, it can be used to make some really strong statements.

Here’s how that could look in practice:

• It makes sense that the school wouldn’t provide free lunches for students. It’s a costly plan, and the school district has a long track record of investing in administration before investing in student welfare.
• It makes sense that the play’s love story ended tragically. The playwright was newly divorced when she penned it, and her poetry from this time shows a similar disillusionment with romantic relationships.

This Proves

“This proves” is a strong way to connect your conclusions and arguments to previously presented evidence. This phrase is a good choice when you’re confident in your evidence and your argument, as using it after shaky evidence can harm your credibility.

Here’s what this might look like in context:

• The students who got more recess time did better on tests than children who had more quiet study time. This proves that children need more playtime throughout the day.
• This proves my original hypothesis, though not in the way I expected.

This Supports The Idea

This is another useful phrase for directly tying previously stated evidence to your arguments and conclusions. Once you provide your evidence, you can go into your argument by saying “this supports the idea that…”

“This supports the idea” is a deeply academic phrase. It doesn’t come off too strong, nor does it read as personal or informal. It reads as objective, which can support your credibility in the eyes of the reader.

Here are some examples:

• Lisa ultimately gave the flower to Joan. This supports the idea that the flower was representative of trust.
• In this scene, the characters’ loyalties are made clear by where they are standing in relation to the protagonist. John is standing next to the protagonist. This supports the idea that, despite what he says, he truly was loyal to the protagonist.

X Makes A Strong Case

“X makes a strong case” is a phrase when you want to specifically tie in an argument someone else has made. It emphasizes the person who made the argument rather than what you think about the argument.

For example, if you wanted to say “I think Rodney is right about the dress code,” a stronger way to word that in an essay would be “Rodney makes a strong case about the dress code.”

Both sentences communicate that you think Rodney’s argument has merit, but using the “X makes a strong case” format emphasizes Rodney’s arguments rather than your evaluation of them.

This less-personal writing is generally considered to be more formal and thus more appropriate for academic writing.

Here are some more examples of how to use this phrase:

• The author makes a strong case in favor of the motion.
• In the novel, Susie’s father makes a strong case against the idea of Susie marrying a stranger.

“In my mind” is a strong phrase that is perfect for first-person narrative essays. It’s engaging, conversational wording that still maintains the formality expected in essays.

“In my mind” is a good way to word more personally held thoughts and beliefs without saying “I think” or “I believe.”

Here are some ways you could use “in my mind”:

• In my mind, nothing mattered more than the championship.
• In my mind, there was no way any of this could have a good outcome. I just didn’t see how it would work out.

Sometimes the best alternative to “I believe” and “I think” is simply to cut the phrase without providing a replacement. This makes your writing more succinct and straightforward and less informal.

Replacing “I think” and “I believe” can support the style and flow of your writing, but deleting the lead-in entirely is common advice. The argument is that since you wrote the essay, “I think” and “I believe” are implied. It’s redundant to include them.

Take a look at these sentences:

• I think the power outage was caused by the wind storm.
• I believe students should have mentors throughout their time in school.

Here’s what they look like if you remove the lead-in:

• The power outage was caused by the wind storm.
• Students should have mentors throughout their time in school.

In these instances, removing the phrases entirely without replacing them made for stronger statements.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

• 10 Better Ways To Write “In This Essay, I Will…”
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• Can An Opinion Be Wrong Or Right? Full Explanation

50 Other Ways to Say “I Think” in English (Formal, Informal)

In the English language, there are many ways to say the phrase ‘I think.’ However, a lot of the time people continue to use this phrase despite having a wealth of other things that they could use.

In this article, we are going to look at some great ways in which you can refer to the phrase ‘I think.’ It is important to make yourself aware of these alternatives as a way of expanding your English vocabulary . There are other benefits to being able to use synonyms for this phrase, but we will look at these a little more later on.

Formal Ways to Say I Think

• I honestly believe that
• I am of the opinion that
• From my point of view
• It appears to me that
• My judgment is that
• I reckon/estimate that
• As far as I can tell

How to use them:

When writing a formal paper or essay, it’s important to use more formal language. Therefore, these phrases can be used in place of “I think” to make your writing sound more professional and sophisticated. For example, instead of saying “I think the plan should be revised,” you could say “I honestly believe that the plan should be revised.”

Informal Ways to Say I Think

• I’m pretty sure that
• I’m not going to lie
• If you ask me
• In my experience
• I gotta say
• My hunch is that
• From where I’m standing
• It looks like to me

During a casual conversation or informal writing, these phrases can be used to replace “I think” and make your language sound more natural and conversational. For example, you could say “I’m pretty sure that the meeting won’t start until 10 am” or “My hunch is that there will be a lot of people at the meeting.”

Idiomatic Ways to Say I Think

• It goes without saying that
• I’d bet my bottom dollar that
• If I had to guess
• I’d stake my life on it
• You can take it from me that
• I’m willing to wager that
• The odds are in favor of
• It’s a no brainer that
• My money’s on
• My gut tells me

Professional Ways to Say I Think

• I am confident that
• It is my conviction that
• I maintain that
• My assessment is
• I am convinced
• My assertion is
• In my estimation
• To my understanding
• I surmise/conjecture that
• It appears that

“I Think” In Written Communication

When it comes to written communication, there are various ways to express the idea of “I think”. In this section, I will discuss two types of written communication: email correspondence and creative writing.

Email Correspondence

In email correspondence, it is important to use language that is professional and clear. Here are some phrases that can be used to replace “I think” in an email:

• From my perspective, …
• In my opinion, …
• It seems to me that …
• Based on my experience, …

Using these phrases can help to convey your thoughts and opinions in a more professional manner. Additionally, it can help to avoid sounding too assertive or confrontational.

Creative Writing

In creative writing, the use of “I think” can be seen as weak or unnecessary. Instead, it is important to use language that is descriptive and engaging. Here are some ways to replace “I think” in creative writing:

• In my mind’s eye, …
• As far as I can tell, …
• To my understanding, …
• It appears to me that …

Using these phrases can help to create a more immersive and engaging reading experience. It can also help to add depth and complexity to your writing.

“I Think” In Verbal Communication

When it comes to verbal communication, there are many different ways to express your thoughts and opinions. In fact, using a variety of phrases can make your speech more interesting and engaging. Here are some ways to say “I think” in different verbal communication scenarios:

Public Speaking

If you’re giving a speech or presentation, it’s important to sound confident and knowledgeable. Here are some phrases you can use to convey your thoughts and opinions:

• In my experience…
• Based on my research…
• From my point of view…
• As far as I can tell…
• I believe that…
• It seems to me that…
• To my mind…

By using these phrases, you can make your speech more interesting and engaging, and you can help your audience understand your point of view.

One-on-One Conversations

When you’re having a conversation with someone, it’s important to be clear and concise. Here are some phrases you can use to express your thoughts and opinions:

• I think that…
• In my opinion…
• From my perspective…
• As I see it…
• It’s my belief that…
• My feeling is that…
• To my way of thinking…

By using these phrases, you can help the other person understand your point of view without sounding too forceful or aggressive. It’s important to be respectful and open-minded in one-on-one conversations, and using these phrases can help you achieve that goal.

Why Is It Important To Use Alternatives To ‘I Think’?

We touched on how using alternatives to ‘I think’ can help you to widen your English vocabulary, but it is also a great way to bring your English fluency to a new level.

When engaging with English speakers, using these synonyms is an excellent way to bring your interactions to a higher degree, allowing you to converse with English speakers more easily as well as being able to understand when these phrases are said to you.

Some of these phrases are particularly useful in arguments and debates. If you are taking part in some sort of debate, using some of these phrases can make your speaking more clearly and give you the chance to make your speech more colorful.

List of Different Ways to Say ‘I Think’

Now that we understand why it is important to be able to say ‘I think’ using different wording, we can begin to explore some of the alternative things that we can say.

• In my opinion
• As far as I’m concerned – This phrase is often used in a more authoritative sense.
• I am of the opinion that…
• It is my belief…
• It seems to me/It appears to me
• To my way of thinking/In my way of thinking
• I honestly think that/ I honestly believe that…
• I am feeling that/I feel that – This is a more personal phrase which moves from thoughts and takes them to a more emotional level. This is a good phrase to use when trying to convince someone of something.
• I assume that 
• If you ask me…
• My thoughts on the matter are…
• I consider…
• As far as I can see/ as far as I can tell
• To my mind/ In my mind
• It is my view/It is my opinion
• The way that I see it is…

When you want to say the phrase ‘I think’ in the English language, it can become tedious repeating the same phrase over and over again. However, this problem can be eliminated by using one of the many alternatives for this phrase. Not only will this help your English become more fluent and natural-sounding but it will also build your English vocabulary. These phrases are also very handy for expressing your opinions when taking part in an argument or debate and you wish to convey your thoughts clearly.

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10 English Phrases to Express Your Opinion in an Essay

This is a guest post by  Sam Pealing.  Make sure to visit his website EnglishForStudy.com for more academic English help!

I admire international students. Seriously.  If you’re a non-native English speaker doing a degree or doctorate in English, then I take my hat off to you.

I get a lot of questions about writing essays, and I’ve taught hundreds of students how to write effective essays (which get good grades).  One of the most common mistakes that I see is a lack of opinion.

Most of the time, students describe a situation, but they don’t give their opinion or stance. This can really damage your grade because lecturers are always looking for ‘critical thinking’. If you don’t give your opinion in your essays, your lecturers can’t see your critical thinking.

To put it simply: If you don’t put your opinion or stance in an essay, then you’ll probably lose marks.

In this article, you’ll learn 10 effective phrases that you can use to give your opinion in your essay.  I’ve also created a free lesson pack which will help you to practice the phrases in this article. CLICK HERE to download it.

Introducing the Phrases

If you’re looking for a quick fix for your essay, these phrases should help you to start putting your own opinions in your essays.

But, before you rush over to your essays to start putting these phrases in, there’s something you need to know.

If you’re writing an academic essay, you will need to support your opinions with strong evidence . This is especially true if you are using some of the stronger phrases.

This evidence can be a journal article, a lecture, a textbook, or something else which is a trustworthy source of information.

In a more informal essay, like one in an IELTS or TOEFL language test, you don’t need to support your answers with strong evidence. Your experiences or opinions will be enough.

Quick note : I know! You’re ready to see the phrases.

This won’t take long and it’s really important.

1. For these phrases to be really effective, you’ll need to review your grammar. Shayna has some great videos on her Espresso English Youtube channel .

I recommend these:

• Subject/Verb agreement
• Formal and Informal English
• Correcting Grammar Mistakes

2. If you want to know the structure of a good essay paragraph, check my post here .

Informal English Phrases

These phrases are suitable for language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. In an academic essay, these phrases will probably be too informal because they are too personal.

“In my opinion, + [your sentence]”

• In my opinion , a good education is more important than a good car.

“I believe that + [your sentence]”

• I believe that schools should encourage students to walk or cycle to school rather than drive.

“In my mind, + [your sentence]”

• “ In my mind , no-one should have to pay for medical care.”

More Formal Academic Phrases With ‘That’

These phrases are more suitable for academic essays. If you are unsure whether you should use an informal phrase or an academic phrase, use an academic one. If you think your writing might be informal, read this post to learn more.

The patterns here are quite straightforward. Just add your sentence after ‘that’.

“It would seem that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you support your opinion with evidence.

• “ It would seem that children learn best when they are feeling comfortable.”

“It could be argued that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you want to challenge an existing opinion.

• “ It could be argued that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in this situation.”

“This suggests that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you don’t want to fully commit to an opinion. You’re giving yourself some distance.

• “ The evidence suggests that people who speak more than one language have more job opportunities.”

“This proves that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you are confident with your opinion. This phrase is quite strong*

• “ This proves that the best way to lose weight is through a controlled diet and a good exercise program.”

“This supports the idea that + [your sentence]”

Use this one when you are supporting an opinion that you have already made.

• “ This new research supports the idea that successful English learners look for opportunities to use English.”

Other Ways to Express Opinion

“although [idea you disagree with], [idea you agree with]”.

Use this when you want make your opinion seem balanced.

• “ Although reports suggest that cigarettes could help people to lose weight, there are too many serious health problems associated with smoking.”

Note: The ‘ although’ pattern is very effective because it shows two sides of the argument. In the example, I support the idea that smoking is bad for your health –BUT- I recognise that it could have some benefits.

Structure your ‘ although’ sentence like this: Although, [weaker argument you disagree with], [stronger argument you agree with].

Using Adverbs, Adjectives and Nouns

You can use adjectives to show your opinion.

• “This research was poorly conducted with a lack of control .”

The adjective and nouns in the example are negative . You can get some good ideas from this video on Extreme Adjectives . Note: try not to use any emotional adjectives .

Make Your Own Phrases!

Of course, these phrases aren’t the only ones that you can use! You can find more – or – you can create your own by combining different patterns.

Here’s an example of #7, #9 and #10 used together.

“Although it is difficult for older adults to learn a second language, an important study by Smith (2014) proved that the elderly can successfully learn new languages.”

What Should You Do Now?

So now you should have a better idea of how to include more opinions in your essays. But that’s not all; there are probably some new words here that you don’t know.

So here’s what you should do:

• Choose three of the opinion expressions and phrases that you want to try.
• Practice writing sentences using them (if you don’t have a topic, try this: should students do homework? You can see examples of this in the lesson pack )
• Get the Lesson Pack for this lesson (which contains the vocabulary and the phrases from this lesson) CLICK HERE to download it .

Learn more:

• Basic English phrases
• Intermediate English phrases
• Advanced English phrases

About Sam Pealing

Sam Pealing is an English language coach who specialises in two important areas: 1. helping you to get great grades at university, and 2. helping you to become an effective and confident English user. If you’re feeling frustrated or confused with English, Sam has created the perfect email course for you! You can join his course here –or- you can read more by him on English For Study .

Get corrections on your written English:

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Hi, I’m Shayna. I create courses helping English as a Second Language learners become more fluent in just a few minutes a day – so they can speak English naturally and confidently in work and daily life.

20 Other Ways to Say “I Believe” in an Essay

Expressing one’s beliefs or opinions effectively is crucial in writing essays, reports, or any form of communication. However, repetition can make your writing seem monotonous.

 Diversifying your vocabulary can enhance your expression and engage your readers more effectively. Below, we explore 20 alternative phrases to convey the same sentiment as “I believe,” along with scenario examples for 

List of Other Ways to Say “I Believe” in an Essay

• In my opinion,
• As I see it,
• From my perspective,
• In my view,
• It is my conviction that,
• To my understanding,
• As far as I’m concerned,
• In my estimation,
• From my standpoint,
• It seems to me that,
• As I understand it,
• In my judgment,
• In my experience,
• It’s my belief that,
• From my vantage point,
• As I perceive it,
• In my assessment,
• To my way of thinking,
• In my mind,
• As I interpret it.

In My Opinion

Scenario Example:

Dear Royal,

I hope this email finds you well. In my opinion , the marketing strategy proposed for our upcoming product launch lacks innovation. I believe we should consider incorporating more interactive elements to captivate our target audience.

Looking forward to discussing this further.

Best regards, Oscar

• This phrase asserts the writer’s personal viewpoint without imposing it as an absolute truth.
• It’s commonly used in casual and formal settings to express subjectivity.

As I See It

I trust you’re doing well. As I see it , the recent changes in our organizational structure may lead to inefficiencies in our workflow. I’m of the opinion that we need to reassess the distribution of responsibilities to maintain productivity.

Let’s schedule a meeting to brainstorm potential solutions.

• This phrase suggests that the writer’s perspective is shaped by their perception or understanding of the situation.
• It’s suitable for expressing insights or interpretations.

From My Perspective

I hope you’re having a productive day. From my perspective , the decision to outsource our IT services might not yield the anticipated cost savings in the long run. I’m of the opinion that investing in an in-house IT team could provide more control and efficiency.

Let’s discuss this further during our next team meeting.

Warm regards, Oscar

• This phrase emphasizes that the viewpoint being expressed is based on the writer’s unique position or viewpoint.
• It’s useful for conveying subjectivity while acknowledging other possible perspectives.

I trust you’re doing well. In my view , the current approach to customer engagement lacks personalization. I believe we should explore leveraging customer data to tailor our interactions and enhance overall satisfaction.

Looking forward to your thoughts on this matter.

• This phrase signals the writer’s subjective evaluation or judgment of a situation.
• It’s commonly used in formal and informal communication contexts.

It Is My Conviction That

I hope this email finds you in good spirits. It is my conviction that fostering a culture of continuous learning within our organization is essential for long-term success. I’m of the opinion that investing in employee training and development programs will not only enhance skills but also boost morale and retention rates.

Let’s discuss potential strategies to implement this initiative.

• This phrase conveys a strong sense of belief or certainty in the writer’s viewpoint.
• It’s appropriate for expressing deeply held convictions or beliefs.

To My Understanding

I trust you’re doing well. To my understanding , the recent changes in market trends suggest a shift in consumer preferences towards sustainable products. I’m of the opinion that we should explore opportunities to align our product offerings with this growing demand.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

• This phrase indicates that the writer’s viewpoint is based on their comprehension or interpretation of information.
• It’s suitable for expressing subjective understanding or interpretation.

Read More: Polite Synonyms for “At Your Earliest Convenience”

As Far As I’m Concerned

I hope this email finds you well. As far as I’m concerned , the decision to restructure our project teams lacks clarity in terms of roles and responsibilities. I’m of the opinion that establishing clear guidelines and communication channels is essential to avoid confusion and improve efficiency.

Let’s schedule a meeting to address this issue promptly.

• This phrase emphasizes the writer’s personal stake or interest in the matter being discussed.
• It’s often used to express a subjective opinion or viewpoint.

In My Estimation

I trust you’re doing well. In my estimation , the current budget allocation for marketing activities seems inadequate given the competitive landscape. I’m of the opinion that reallocating resources to targeted digital campaigns could yield better results.

Looking forward to your input on this matter.

• This phrase suggests that the writer’s opinion is based on their assessment or calculation of a situation.
• It’s appropriate for expressing subjective evaluations or judgments.

From My Standpoint

I hope this email finds you well. From my standpoint , the recent changes in our project timeline jeopardize the quality of deliverables. I’m of the opinion that we should reassess our priorities and allocate resources more efficiently to meet deadlines without compromising on quality.

Let’s discuss potential solutions during our next team meeting.

• This phrase highlights that the writer’s viewpoint is shaped by their position or perspective.
• It’s useful for expressing subjective opinions or evaluations.

It Seems to Me That

I trust you’re doing well. It seems to me that the current approach to customer service fails to address the root causes of recurring complaints. I’m of the opinion that implementing a comprehensive feedback mechanism and training program for our support team could lead to significant improvements in customer satisfaction.

Looking forward to your insights on this matter.

• This phrase suggests that the writer’s opinion is based on their perception or impression of a situation.
• It’s suitable for expressing subjective observations or evaluations.

As I Understand It

I hope this email finds you well. As I understand it , the recent fluctuations in market demand necessitate a more agile approach to production planning. I’m of the opinion that adopting Just-in-Time principles could help us optimize inventory levels and reduce costs.

Let’s explore this further in our upcoming strategy meeting.

• It’s commonly used to express subjective understanding or interpretation.

In My Judgment

I trust you’re doing well. In my judgment , the current project timeline is overly ambitious and risks quality compromises. I’m of the opinion that we should revisit our deadlines and allocate additional resources as needed to ensure successful delivery.

Looking forward to your feedback on this matter.

• This phrase conveys the writer’s subjective evaluation or assessment of a situation.
• It’s suitable for expressing personal opinions or judgments.

In My Experience

I hope this email finds you well. In my experience , successful collaborations thrive on clear communication and mutual respect among team members. I’m of the opinion that fostering a collaborative environment is crucial for achieving our project goals effectively.

Let’s schedule a team-building workshop to strengthen our teamwork.

• This phrase draws on the writer’s personal history or past encounters to support their opinion.
• It’s appropriate for expressing opinions based on personal experience or observation.

It’s My Belief That

I trust you’re doing well. It’s my belief that embracing diversity and inclusion is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for our organization. I’m of the opinion that promoting diversity in our workforce will foster innovation and drive long-term growth.

Looking forward to discussing this further with you.

• This phrase emphasizes the writer’s strong conviction or faith in their viewpoint.
• It’s often used to express deeply held beliefs or principles.

From My Vantage Point

I hope this email finds you well. From my vantage point , the current economic indicators suggest a looming downturn in the market. I’m of the opinion that we should adopt a more conservative approach to financial planning to mitigate potential risks.

Let’s convene a meeting to review our contingency plans.

• This phrase emphasizes that the writer’s viewpoint is influenced by their unique perspective or position.
• It’s suitable for expressing subjective opinions or observations.

As I Perceive It

I trust you’re doing well. As I perceive it , the recent changes in consumer behavior signal a growing demand for eco-friendly products. I’m of the opinion that incorporating sustainable practices into our production processes could enhance our brand reputation and attract environmentally conscious consumers.

• This phrase suggests that the writer’s opinion is based on their perception or interpretation of a situation.
• It’s commonly used to express subjective observations or evaluations.

In My Assessment

I hope this email finds you well. In my assessment , the current staffing levels are insufficient to meet the project’s requirements within the specified timeline. I’m of the opinion that recruiting additional team members or outsourcing certain tasks may be necessary to ensure successful completion.

Let’s discuss potential solutions during our next project meeting.

• This phrase conveys the writer’s evaluation or analysis of a situation.
• It’s appropriate for expressing subjective assessments or judgments.

To My Way of Thinking

I trust you’re doing well. To my way of thinking , the recent policy changes overlook the importance of employee feedback in driving organizational improvements. I’m of the opinion that establishing a structured feedback mechanism is essential for fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.

• This phrase emphasizes that the writer’s viewpoint is shaped by their individual perspective or mindset.
• It’s suitable for expressing subjective opinions or beliefs.

I hope this email finds you well. In my mind , effective leadership hinges on empathy, communication, and adaptability. I’m of the opinion that cultivating these qualities among our management team will not only enhance employee morale but also drive organizational success.

Let’s explore leadership development opportunities together.

• This phrase conveys the writer’s thoughts or beliefs on a particular subject.
• It’s commonly used to express personal opinions or convictions.

As I Interpret It

I trust you’re doing well. As I interpret it , the recent decline in customer satisfaction scores may stem from inconsistencies in our service delivery processes. I’m of the opinion that conducting a comprehensive review of our procedures and implementing standardized protocols could help address these issues effectively.

• This phrase suggests that the writer’s opinion is based on their understanding or interpretation of the situation.
• It’s suitable for expressing subjective interpretations or analyses.

Pros and Cons of Diversifying Expression

Diversifying expression in writing offers numerous advantages, including:

• Engaging readers: Using varied language keeps readers interested and prevents monotony.
• Enhancing clarity: Different phrases can convey nuances of meaning more effectively.
• Demonstrating language proficiency: Employing a diverse vocabulary showcases a writer’s command of language.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Overcomplication: Using too many synonyms for “I believe” may confuse readers or distract from the main message.
• Appropriateness: Some contexts may require a straightforward expression of belief rather than varied alternatives.
• Time-consuming: Constantly searching for synonyms may slow down the writing process.

While diversifying expression can enhance writing, it’s essential to strike a balance and use alternatives judiciously to achieve clarity and engagement without overwhelming the reader.

Dariel Campbell is currently an English instructor at a university. She has experience in teaching and assessing English tests including TOEFL, IELTS, BULATS, FCE, CAE, and PTEG . With over a decade of teaching expertise, Dariel Campbell  utilizes his knowledge to develop English lessons for her audience on English Overview.

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19 Other Ways to Say “I Believe” in an Essay

If you’re wondering how to say “I believe” in an essay without using first-person phrasing, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of synonyms that you can use instead of saying “I believe” in an essay. We’ll also discuss whether you should use the original phrase at all.

Other Ways to Say “I Believe”

• One might argue
• It would seem
• This suggests
• It is my belief
• As I see it
• From my perspective
• It could be argued
• I would argue
• This illustrates
• This evidences
• In my opinion
• This proves
• In the author’s opinion

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It’s okay to use “I believe” in an essay if the person grading your paper permits you to use personal pronouns.
• You can say “one might argue” if you want to use a more formal alternative in the third person.
• “It appears” is another good option that removes the personal pronoun “I.”

Don’t go anywhere! In the next section, we’ll discuss two great alternatives for the phrase “I believe” that you can use in your academic writing.

Moreover, we’ll provide some helpful examples and discuss whether it’s a bad idea to use “I believe” in your essay.

One Might Argue

If you’re wondering what to say instead of “I believe” in an essay, a great choice is “one might argue.”

Some academics may view this alternative as superior to the original phrase. After all, it is written in the third person. Therefore, you can get the same point across without using “I.” In some formal academic essays , it is expected by markers that personal pronouns should be avoided.

Additionally, this alternative makes it clear that your statement isn’t certain, just like the original. The word “might” implies that you are expressing an opinion or making just a potential argument.

Finally, let’s see how one might use this phrase in a few examples:

One might argue that the individual responsibility of consumers to buy sustainable products is far less than the responsibility that should be placed on large industries.

Although our findings show that fewer children are taking an interest in mathematics, one might argue that this has more to do with the teaching style of educators rather than the content of the subject itself.

Another way to say “I believe” without using the first person is “it appears.”

Like the original phrase, this one indicates that the statement following it is not certain. In fact, it is simply an observation .

Although this phrase is not necessarily superior to “I believe,” it does remove the personal pronoun “I,” which is often seen as preferable by teachers and professors.

It also has the benefit of using the same number of words as “I believe.” Therefore, it won’t increase your word count , unlike some of the other synonyms on our list.

To see this phrase in action, have a look at the examples below:

It appears that several of the mice in our experiment exhibited empathy when faced with one of their fellows trapped in a cage.

Although Otis Blackwell was a clear stylistic inspiration to Elvis, in addition to being the writer of many of his popular songs, it appears that only a small minority of the public is privy to this truth.

Can I Use “I Believe” in an Essay?

Whether it is okay to use “I believe” in an essay greatly depends on context .

There are some academics and writers out there who think using phrases like “I believe” is bad writing . Firstly, they argue that it is redundant . Obviously, you believe the statement you’re making, or you wouldn’t be making it in the first place!

Secondly, some academics think that personal pronouns should be avoided in academic writing . Therefore, it’s no good to start your statements with “I.”

On the other hand, in recent times, many academics have argued that all forms of education and information should be accessible. This means that everyone should be able to follow and understand them – not just people who were privileged enough to get a university education!

People who hold this opinion say that a phrase like “I believe” is perfectly effective. After all, it lets the reader know that you are expressing an opinion and not a fact. Additionally, it is straightforward and easy for any reader to follow.

Therefore, as a rule of thumb, we would always recommend speaking to the person who is going to grade your essay before you start . If they are a traditionalist and would prefer very formal writing, use one of our alternatives.

If they are happy to read a paper with personal pronouns and straightforward writing in it, go ahead and use “I believe.”

In conclusion, it’s okay to use “I believe” if the person marking your essay is okay with it!

We hope you found this article helpful. If you did, why not bookmark this page so you can come back whenever you like? 

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Fifteen “I Think” Synonyms

Looking for another way to say “I think”? Look no further! Here are 15 other ways to say “I think” (with examples).

What’s Another Way To Say “I Think”?

There are many ways to say I think . An alternative you can use instead that is suitable for professional settings is it seems to me that .

• I think that the project was rushed, and that’s why there were so many incidents.
• It seems to me that the project was rushed, and that’s why there were so many incidents.

There are also academic and casual synonyms you can use in place of I think .

What Does “I Think” Mean?

I think is a common English phrase that signals that what follows is an opinion on a particular matter. It’s often used to preface a statement that is based on personal perspective, belief, or evaluation rather than objective findings.

• I think that topic may be too advanced for fifth-grade students to understand.
• I think Gerald had a great time, but I haven’t asked him about it.
• I think we should bring something to the dinner party.

There are several ways to say I think , some more suitable than others depending on the setting. Below, we’ll give you 15 professional, academic, and casual ways to say I think .

Professional Synonyms for “I Think”

The following I think synonyms are ideal to use in professional settings, like when you’re in a meeting, writing a work email, or in other situations that require formal language .

1. It seems to me that

It seems to me that the delays were caused by crew shortages.

2. In my opinion,

In my opinion, the release date is too soon, seeing as the product is not ready yet.

3. From my perspective,

From my perspective , introducing better and stronger alternatives is crucial.

4. My impression is that

My impression is that Sari is a better candidate for this position.

5. I believe

I believe taking this route is what’s best for the company.

Academic Synonyms for “I Think”

It’s important to vary your vocabulary when writing an essay . If you’re looking for another phrase to use in place of I think , try any of these.

6. Based on the research,

Based on the research , students learn more in school when their learning styles are considered.

7. According to my observations,

According to my observations , pasture-raised chickens produce friendlier and happier chicks.

8. Based on my analysis,

Based on my analysis , a flexitarian diet is the best choice for health-conscious people.

9. The data suggests

The data suggests that the first few years of a child’s life are critical when it comes to development.

10. The research leads me to believe

The research leads me to believe that entire colonies will be greatly affected.

Please be aware that some I think synonyms require a comma, while others do not.

Casual Synonyms for “I Think”

If you’re having a casual conversation—whether in person or via text messages or email—and need a more fluent and idiomatic way of saying I think , the following synonyms are appropriate.

11. I guess

I guess we have to give our information at the security checkpoint before passing through.

12. I suppose

I suppose I can have a drink once I’m done with work.

13. As far as I can tell,

As far as I can tell , everyone seemed to enjoy the party.

14. To be honest,

To be honest , there’s nothing wrong with going out alone every once in a while.

15.  If you ask me,

If you ask me, the light blue tone goes better with the rest of the house.

Think It, Write It, and Correct It

There you have it: fifteen other ways to say I think . Keeping these alternative phrases in your back pocket is an easy way to improve your English fluency.

Another way to do so is by using LanguageTool as your writing assistant. Yes, it corrects spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. But it can also suggest stylistic improvements and can help rephrase your sentences to better suit your desired tone.

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• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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And I think the essays touch on subjects that will resonate with people of all ages and at all stages of their lives.

This essay was a surprise: that is, I had in the back of my mind that I wanted to write something about Mary McCarthy's Regency chest, which by a series of events had come into my possession — and I thought the essay would be generally about furniture, and specifically about Mary McCarthy, who is part of the furniture, one might say, of my reading and writing life.

I thought that essay was just so fascinating.

I think her essay is mostly right, but misses on two points.

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101 This I Believe Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

"This I Believe" essays are a popular genre in the academic and personal writing world. They allow individuals to reflect on their beliefs, values, and experiences in a concise and engaging manner. If you're looking for some inspiration for your own "This I Believe" essay, here are 101 topic ideas and examples to get you started:

• I believe in the power of kindness.
• I believe in the importance of self-love.
• I believe in the value of hard work.
• I believe in the beauty of diversity.
• I believe in the strength of resilience.
• I believe in the magic of music.
• I believe in the healing power of nature.
• I believe in the importance of education.
• I believe in the power of forgiveness.
• I believe in the importance of empathy.
• I believe in the value of honesty.
• I believe in the power of hope.
• I believe in the importance of family.
• I believe in the beauty of art.
• I believe in the strength of community.
• I believe in the power of perseverance.
• I believe in the importance of gratitude.
• I believe in the value of friendship.
• I believe in the beauty of simplicity.
• I believe in the importance of mindfulness.
• I believe in the power of positivity.
• I believe in the importance of communication.
• I believe in the value of laughter.
• I believe in the beauty of love.
• I believe in the strength of faith.
• I believe in the power of creativity.
• I believe in the importance of integrity.
• I believe in the value of curiosity.
• I believe in the beauty of vulnerability.
• I believe in the strength of courage.
• I believe in the importance of authenticity.
• I believe in the value of compassion.
• I believe in the beauty of acceptance.
• I believe in the strength of self-expression.
• I believe in the power of self-reflection.
• I believe in the importance of self-care.
• I believe in the value of independence.
• I believe in the beauty of solitude.
• I believe in the strength of teamwork.
• I believe in the power of imagination.
• I believe in the importance of discipline.
• I believe in the value of responsibility.
• I believe in the beauty of freedom.
• I believe in the power of change.
• I believe in the importance of adaptability.
• I believe in the value of balance.
• I believe in the beauty of imperfection.
• I believe in the strength of vulnerability.
• I believe in the power of self-awareness.
• I believe in the importance of self-compassion.
• I believe in the value of self-acceptance.
• I believe in the beauty of growth.
• I believe in the strength of transformation.
• I believe in the importance of resilience.
• I believe in the value of perseverance.
• I believe in the beauty of forgiveness.
• I believe in the strength of love.
• I believe in the power of gratitude.
• I believe in the value of kindness.
• I believe in the strength of unity.
• I believe in the importance of trust.
• I believe in the beauty of authenticity.
• I believe in the strength of integrity.
• I believe in the power of communication.
• I believe in the importance of collaboration.
• I believe in the value of teamwork.
• I believe in the beauty of creativity.
• I believe in the strength of innovation.
• I believe in the power of education.
• I believe in the importance of lifelong learning.
• I believe in the value of critical thinking.
• I believe in the beauty of curiosity.
• I believe in the power of adaptability.
• I believe in the importance of flexibility.
• I believe in the value of patience.
• I believe in the beauty of perseverance.
• I believe in the strength of determination.
• I believe in the power of self-discipline.
• I believe in the importance of self-control.
• I believe in the value of self-improvement.
• I believe in the beauty of self-care.
• I believe in the strength of self-love.
• I believe in the power of self-acceptance.
• I believe in the importance of self-awareness.
• I believe in the value of self-reflection.
• I believe in the beauty of self-discovery.
• I believe in the power of self-confidence.
• I believe in the importance of self-respect.
• I believe in the value of self-esteem.
• I believe in the beauty of self-compassion.
• I believe in the strength of self-empowerment.
• I believe in the power of self-actualization.

These are just a few examples of the many topics that you could explore in your own "This I Believe" essay. Remember, the key to a successful essay is to choose a topic that is meaningful to you and to communicate your beliefs with honesty and clarity. Good luck!

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Academic Writing: How to Express Your Personal Opinion

von Öykü Coskun | Donnerstag, November 22, 2018 | Learn , Writing effectively | 2 Kommentare

In certain writing tasks that you are required to do for university, for example essays, you will be asked to give your opinion on the topic at hand. There are several different ways to do this: A distinction is made between expressions and phrases that emphasize your views explicitly and those that reflect your opinion implicitly. In this article, you can find out which expressions are best in which context and how to create variety.

While it is possible to say that, as a general rule, implicit expressions that reflect your opinion in a more subtle way are mostly preferred in academic writing, there are also cases in which it might be useful to overtly state your view by using phrases that contain the personal pronouns “I” and “my” to make clear that it is your point of view that you are focusing on right now. Thus, there is no such rule as “Never include “I” in essays.” The key is to use these kinds of expressions when they suit your purpose, so for instance when you clearly want to distance yourself from a certain view. Moreover, avoiding “I” can lead to awkwardness and vagueness, so  it can sometimes be more effective to use the first person. Personal pronouns unmistakably show when and where exactly you are building on or departing from your sources of information. Thus, they underline the originality of your ideas and views, which, in turn, improves your writing style.

While this only applies to some academic fields and text types, as far as the Humanities and essays or term papers are concerned, it is generally considered appropriate to use the first person, as your instructor will be interested in reading your original analyses and interpretations. But beware: Don’t confuse giving your personal opinion with writing about your personal experience! Your experiences and anecdotes do not have any place in academic term papers whatsoever, whereas they might be included in some contexts for example when you are asked to write a more personal and less academic text in your language classes. To make sure, always ask your instructor.

Moreover, you should be aware of the fact that some expressions more convincingly underline your assertions than others and that your arguments will always need sufficient explanations and defense. Hence, expressions such as “I think that…” or “I believe that…” , which we often find in speech but less in academic writing, are weaker and less convincing than “I assert that…”, “I am convinced that…”, “I have no doubt that…” or “I hold the impression/ view that…”.

Furthermore, we often find the phrases “In my opinion, …” and “In my view, …” in academic writing and professional reports. To a lesser extent, we have expressions such as “To my mind,…” , From my point of view” and “As far as I am concerned” ; These three phrases are also rather used in speech than in writing.

Another useful way of explicitly stating your opinion is to employ structures that contain adjectives, such as “I consider it important/ crucial/ essential/ useful/ likely/ … to …” or “I deem it necessary/ proper/ appropriate/ … to …” . If you are not quite so adamant about your opinion yourself, you can also utilize weaker expressions such as “I am under the impression that …” , “I suppose that …” , “I assume that …” , “I presume that …” or “I conjecture that …” .

Impersonal expressions, on the other hand, reflect your opinion implicitly. Again, there is the possibility to use structures that contain evaluative adjectives, as is the case with phrases like “It is convenient/ difficult/ hard/ impossible/ reasonable/ easy/ … to …” or “It is apparent/ arguable/ doubtful/ obvious/ remarkable/ desirable/ noteworthy/ conceivable/ … that …” .

In your academic texts, you can furthermore employ structures that consist of “It is worth + present participle of a verb + that”, frequently used collocations being “It is worth examining/ investigating/ remembering/ recalling/ noting/ stressing/ pointing out/ emphasizing/ … that …”. There are moreover evaluative adverbs that stress your opinion, examples for this being “Interestingly, …” , “Arguably, …” , “Obviously, …” , “Evidently, …” , and “Surprisingly, …” .

As you can see, there are plenty of possibilities to express your personal opinion in your academic writing tasks and to create variety in doing so. Including different types of phrases and varying expressions while sticking to the requirements of the writing task at hand will improve your overall writing style.

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Writing Center: „Should I Use ‚I‘?“
• Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners (2007): „E. Expressing Personal Opinions.“ London: Macmillan, IW 15-16.

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Your approach and research is significant and appreciative.Applause for you..

I found this article extremely helpful. I found myself struggling writing essays when it came to professionally asserting my opinion or thought. This really outlined some great practices!! Thank you.

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25 of the Other Ways to Say “In my Opinion” or “I think”

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

Saying “in my opinion” gets played out, especially when you’re trying to have a lengthy conversation. There are many other ways to say “in my opinion” or “I think” without sounding like a robot or a scratched record.

Furthermore, these other ways to say “in my opinion” vary, depending on the situation you find yourself in.

For instance, “I think” wouldn’t sound very intelligent in a business meaning and you would seem unsure of yourself.

Here are 25 other ways to say “in my opinion” or “I think” for different situations, how they can be used interchangeably, and more importantly, what they all mean.

13 formal ways to say “In my opinion” or “I think”

  Imagine listening to a business pitch or proposal, and the presenter keeps using the same sets of words to start a new point or introduce a new thought.   If not for emphasis, you won’t be very convinced and might even tune out after a point.   Now, imagine that presenter is you. Would you want to seem incompetent in a formal setting and become lower in the esteem of your peers?   Stick around to learn 13 other ways to say “in my opinion” in formal settings:  

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12 other ways to say “In my opinion” or “I think”

  In casual conversation, most of the time you don’t have to worry about using fancy words to share your thoughts and opinions. However, it is good to have alternatives to use nonetheless.   Here are 12 other ways to say “in my opinion” or “I think”  

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  While there’s nothing wrong with saying “I think” or “In my opinion”, saying it repetitively gets a little monotonous.   Flex your vocabulary in the workplace or casual conversations now and then with any of these other ways to say ”In my opinion” or “I think”.  

1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology

Philosophy, One Thousand Words at a Time

“I think, therefore I am”: Descartes on the Foundations of Knowledge

Author: Charles Miceli Category: Historical Philosophy , Epistemology Word Count: 994

Listen here  

If you are reading this, then you are probably looking at a screen or a piece of paper. Think to yourself: “I have some paper in my hand,” “I am in front of a computer” or whatever fits.

Is your belief here certain ? Is there any way that you could believe this, yet your belief be false? Is there any possibility that you are mistaken about this belief? René Descartes (1596-1650) argues you could: this belief, and almost all other beliefs, are not certain.

Descartes argues that there is one clear exception, however: “I think, therefore I am.” [1] He claims to have discovered a belief that is certain and irrefutable . Perhaps there is no saying more famous in philosophy than this phrase, often known as the “Cogito” after its Latin phrasing, cogito ergo sum . [2]

This essay explores the meaning of the Cogito, its importance to Descartes, and its legacy for philosophy up to the present day.

1. Doubt and Skepticism

The phrase “I think, therefore I am” first appears in Discourse on the Method (1637) . [3] But Descartes changes the wording to “I am, I exist” [4] in his most famous (1641) work, Meditations on First Philosophy [5] (called the Meditations for short).

In the Meditations , Descartes reflects on the fact that he has had many false beliefs, and he sets out to address that problem, with the hope of finding a way to ensure he only has true beliefs and even that scientific research yields only truths as well.

His strategy is to doubt, or not believe, any claim that is false or could be false. He recognizes that his senses might be deceiving him now, since they have deceived him before; he might also be reasoning erroneously now, since he has reasoned badly before. He thereby doubts all beliefs from his senses and from his faculty of reasoning, since those beliefs could be false.

Descartes then considers the most extreme reason for doubt: there may exist an evil demon (sometimes translated ‘genius,’ ‘genie,’ or ‘spirit’) who has the power to control all of his thoughts, tricking him into believing anything. [6] Descartes cannot prove that this demon does not exist. So he acknowledges that it’s possible that all his beliefs about the world external to his own mind are illusions caused by the demon, corresponding to nothing at all, and so all his beliefs about the external world are false.

Descartes is usually thought of as considering skepticism , the view that we lack knowledge or justified belief. [7] Here skepticism is considered because we lack certainty : what we believe might be false, so our beliefs aren’t knowledge. As we will see, Descartes argues that the Cogito enables him to defeat skepticism and show that we have knowledge, with certainty.

2. The Cogito and Certainty

After considering the evil demon, Descartes soon discovers the Cogito. He realizes that thinking “I am, I exist,” withstands the evil-demon test! Even if all the beliefs and types of beliefs that Descartes reviews are false, or could be false, at the least, he must exist to be deceived. Even if one doubts one’s own existence, one must exist at that moment, since there must be something, or someone, doing the doubting. Doubting is a way of thinking, and one’s existence is required to doubt or think in the first place: it is impossible to doubt and yet not exist.

So, the “I think” element in the Cogito implies the direct, immediate, certain knowledge of one’s own existence. Thought requires a thinker and this is known with certainty , since not even the demon could deceive someone who doesn’t exist. Descartes thereby found what he was looking for: some certain, indubitable, irrefutable knowledge. [8]

3. Defeating Skepticism

Once the Cogito is discovered, Descartes argues it can serve as a foundation for how to find other truths that are certain.

Descartes proposes that the Cogito is undeniably true because it is clear and distinct . About clarity, Descartes explains, “Some perceptions are so transparent and at the same time so simple we can never think without believing them to be true…” [9] When something is distinct , the mind has an unclouded vision of what is most essential about that object. These qualities become the standard against which all other beliefs can be evaluated.

Descartes argues that the clarity and distinctness rule, derived from the Cogito, can justify our beliefs about the external world. But what verifies the clarity-and-distinctness rule? God’s existence, Descartes argues. By reflecting on his idea of God, he argues that God exists. [10] Descartes then argues that a truthful, good God would not allow us to be deceived when we understand objects clearly and distinctly, and so God would not allow us to routinely have false beliefs.

The Cogito then serves as the foundation for a series of claims that build upon each other. According to Descartes, his reasoning establishes that, what he originally doubted, he actually knows, with certainty. [11]  He thereby defeats the skeptical concerns that he considered earlier.

4. Conclusion: Knowledge without Certainty

Descartes was impressed by the Cogito because he had found a belief that is certain and so, when believed , cannot be false. He thought that certainty was necessary for a belief to be known. While he argued that, fortunately, we can ultimately be certain of much of what we think we know, [12] most philosophers following him have denied that.

Contemporary theorists of knowledge tend to deny that knowledge requires certainty: they tend to be “falliblists,” arguing that we can know some claim, yet not be certain that it is true. [13] The problem with Descartes’ standard for knowledge is that almost no beliefs meet it. Descartes thought he could show how our ordinary knowledge claims are ultimately based on the Cogito, but most philosophers have not been convinced by his case.

The epistemic lesson of the Cogito is that if certainty is a necessary requirement for knowledge, we are left with very little knowledge indeed. The challenge, however, is that if certainty is not required for knowledge, what is? [14]

[1] For a discussion of the whole of Descartes’ Meditations , see Marc Bobro’s Descartes’ Meditations 1-3 and Descartes’ Meditations 4-6 .

[2] It should be noted that although the idea expressed in cogito ergo sum is usually attributed to and associated with Descartes, it was not an entirely new idea. For instance, over a 1000 years earlier, St. Augustine, in The City of God (Book XI, 26), wrote “ergo sum si fallor,” which is often paraphrased as fallor ergo sum : “I make mistakes, therefore I am.”

[3] Cottingham, John, Robert Stoothoff, and Dugald Murdoch. The Philosophical Writings of Descartes: Volume 1 . Cambridge University Press (2012) (AT VI 32: CSM I 127).

[4] It’s instructive to consider why Descartes changes the wording from the Discourse on the Method to the Meditations . Unlike in the Discourse , Descartes employs strict tests of doubt in the Meditations , where even simple inferences are put in question. In other words, in setting the stage for the Cogito, the meditator is unsure that logic is reliable, and so cannot legitimately argue from premises to a conclusion that she exists. Another way to account for the missing ergo in the Cogito of the Meditations is to point out that Descartes seeks a foundational belief upon which to provide justification for other beliefs and therefore ground knowledge, and that for a belief to be properly foundational it is in no need of justification itself.

[5] Cottingham, John, Robert Stoothoff, and Dugald Murdoch. The Philosophical Writings of Descartes: Volume 2. Cambridge University Press (2012) (AT VII 25: CSM II 17).

[6] The 1999 science-fiction film The Matrix is an update on this idea: one’s beliefs may be caused by the Matrix, not the physical world, and so they are false: e.g., someone “plugged into” the Matrix believing she is riding a bicycle is not actually riding a bicycle, so that belief is false.

[7] There are different kinds of skeptics. Some skeptics are “global” skeptics, who deny that we have any knowledge at all, about anything: Descartes seems close to a global skeptic, at least before he reaches the Cogito. Other types of skepticism are more limited: e.g., someone might be a skeptic about knowledge claims about the future (“Nobody really knows what will happen in the future”), or a skeptic about claims to religious knowledge, or moral knowledge, or skeptics about knowledge claims based on testimony, and more.

[8] What follows from the certainty of the Cogito is the nature of Descartes himself: he must be a thing that thinks. The Cogito does not prove that Descartes has a body or a brain, or even that other minds exist: these can all be doubted. Only thought is certain: Descartes says, “ I am, I exist , that is certain. But for how long? For as long as I think. It might perhaps even happen that if I stopped thinking, I should at once altogether stop being.” Cottingham, John, Robert Stoothoff, and Dugald Murdoch. The Philosophical Writings of Descartes: Volume 2. Cambridge University Press (2012) (AT VII 27: CSM II 18).

[9] Cottingham, John, Robert Stoothoff, and Dugald Murdoch. The Philosophical Writings of Descartes: Volume 2. Cambridge University Press (2012) (AT 7, 145-6, CMS 2, 104).

[10] Descartes argues that his idea of God is such that it could only have been caused by God: Descartes couldn’t have created that idea on his own or from any of his own experiences. Descartes also offers a distinct ontological argument for God’s existence: see The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God by Andrew Chapman

[11] Thus, Descartes is clearly a foundationalist. See e.g. Hasan, Ali, “Foundationalist Theories of Epistemic Justification,” in E. N. Zalta (ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy , Fall 2018 edition.

[12] Something unclear is whether each individual would have to go through the thought processes that Descartes engaged in to have knowledge, or else they lack knowledge, or whether Descartes (or anyone’s, or enough people’s) engaging in these meditations would contribute to everyone’s having knowledge.

[13] See e.g. Unger, Peter. Ignorance: A Case for Scepticism (Oxford, UK and New York, NY: Oxford University Press), Chapter III.

[14] For discussion of some challenges facing theories of knowledge that deny that certainty is necessary for knowledge, see The Gettier Problem by Andrew Chapman and Epistemic Justification: What is Rational Belief? by Todd R. Long. 

St. Augustine, The City of God (412)

Cottingham, John, Robert Stoothoff, and Dugald Murdoch. The Philosophical Writings of Descartes: Volume 1 . Cambridge University Press (2012)

Cottingham, John, Robert Stoothoff, and Dugald Murdoch. The Philosophical Writings of Descartes: Volume 2. Cambridge University Press (2012)

Hasan, Ali, “Foundationalist Theories of Epistemic Justification,” in E. N. Zalta (ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy , Fall 2018 edition.

Unger, Peter. Ignorance: A Case for Scepticism (Oxford, UK and New York, NY: Oxford University Press), Chapter III.

Related Essays

Descartes’ Meditations 1-3 by Marc Bobro

Descartes’ Meditations 4-6 by Marc Bobro

al-Ghazālī’s Dream Argument for Skepticism  by John Ramsey

Epistemology, or Theory of Knowledge  by Thomas Metcalf

External World Skepticism by Andrew Chapman

Pyrrhonian Skepticism: Suspending Judgment  by Lewis Ross

The Gettier Problem and the Definition of Knowledge  by Andrew Chapman

Epistemic Justification: What is Rational Belief?  by Todd R. Long

Seemings: Justifying Beliefs Based on How Things Seem by Kaj André Zeller

The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God by Andrew Chapman

Modal Epistemology: Knowledge of Possibility & Necessity by Bob Fischer

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Acknowledgments

The editors are grateful to Marc Bobro for his review of this essay.

About the Author

Charles Miceli teaches philosophy in New Jersey and in Asia. He received an MA from Fordham University and reads novels in his spare time. micelicharles @ yahoo.com

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21 Advanced Alternative Phrases For “I Think”

Hello everyone and welcom back to Learn English Fun Way! Today we are going to give you 21 advanced alternatives for “I think”.

In debates, in English classes, in conversation, we are always asked to give our opinion. And more often than not, many English learners say: “I think…” or “I don’t think…”

If you really want to show that you have an incredible, and profound, and advanced vocabulary, then you need to find som other ways of saying “I think”. Therefore, in this lesson today, we have got 21 advanced alternatives, ranging from formal to informal.

Right, let’s get started with the lesson!

Table of Contents

1, I’m not going to lie/ I’m not gonna lie

This phrase is an informal one.

We can say “I’m not gonna lie”, and sometimes it is just shortened down to “Not Gonna Lie” or abbreviated to N-G-L. So if we’re texting, we can text NGL, and then our opinion.

2, In all honesty

3, in my view.

This one is slightly more formal, actually.

A lot of these examples will use should have , would have , and could have .

4, If you ask me

5, as far as i can tell.

This phrase is fairly neutral, neither informal nor formal.

6, To my mind

This just means ‘to me’ , but we’re talking about our brain rather than ourselves, and it is more formal.

7, As far as I’m concerned

This is, again, slightly more formal,

For example:

8, The way I see things/ The way I see it

9, as i see things/ as i see it.

This is a quite neutral alternative

10, It seems to me that

11, i believe.

This is just a really good alternative for ‘I think’. If you’re in a pinch, and you want to say “I think” and you don’t know what else to say, just say, “I believe.”

12, I would say

13, i consider.

“I consider something to be.”

15, From my point of view

16, it is my view that/ it is my belief that, 17, i reckon, 18, i honestly believe that, 19, honestly speaking, 20, i feel that.

This is another good one-word alternative for think , just like believe.

21, Personally speaking

That is the end of our today’s lesson. Thank you for reading and hope you can apply well all the above-mentioned alternative phrases for “I think”. To get further explanation as practice your listening English, you should watch the video below. The English teacher- Lucy, with her warm voice and interesting ways of presentation, will certainly make you become engaged in the lesson.

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All of these are informal and seem like things you would say in a text… No difference in saying “I think.”

Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Rene Descartes — “I Think, Therefore I Am”: The Philosophy of René Descartes

"I Think, Therefore I Am": The Philosophy of René Descartes

• Categories: Rene Descartes

About this sample

Words: 636 |

Published: Sep 16, 2023

Words: 636 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The context of descartes' philosophy, the meaning of "i think, therefore i am", implications and philosophical legacy.

• Doubt: Descartes begins by doubting everything—his senses, the external world, and even the existence of God. He imagines an evil demon who might deceive him into believing false things.
• Existence of Thought: Despite the doubt, Descartes recognizes that he is thinking. Doubt requires thought, and thought requires a thinking subject.
• Existence of the Thinker: From the existence of thought, Descartes concludes that there must be a thinking "I" or "self" that is doing the thinking.
• Certainty of Self: Descartes finds that the existence of the thinking self is undeniable and certain. It is immune to doubt because, in the very act of doubting, he affirms his own existence as a thinking thing.

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Synonyms for I think

481 other terms for i think - words and phrases with similar meaning.

Should I Use “I”?

What this handout is about.

This handout is about determining when to use first person pronouns (“I”, “we,” “me,” “us,” “my,” and “our”) and personal experience in academic writing. “First person” and “personal experience” might sound like two ways of saying the same thing, but first person and personal experience can work in very different ways in your writing. You might choose to use “I” but not make any reference to your individual experiences in a particular paper. Or you might include a brief description of an experience that could help illustrate a point you’re making without ever using the word “I.” So whether or not you should use first person and personal experience are really two separate questions, both of which this handout addresses. It also offers some alternatives if you decide that either “I” or personal experience isn’t appropriate for your project. If you’ve decided that you do want to use one of them, this handout offers some ideas about how to do so effectively, because in many cases using one or the other might strengthen your writing.

Expectations about academic writing

Students often arrive at college with strict lists of writing rules in mind. Often these are rather strict lists of absolutes, including rules both stated and unstated:

• Each essay should have exactly five paragraphs.
• Don’t begin a sentence with “and” or “because.”
• Never include personal opinion.
• Never use “I” in essays.

We get these ideas primarily from teachers and other students. Often these ideas are derived from good advice but have been turned into unnecessarily strict rules in our minds. The problem is that overly strict rules about writing can prevent us, as writers, from being flexible enough to learn to adapt to the writing styles of different fields, ranging from the sciences to the humanities, and different kinds of writing projects, ranging from reviews to research.

So when it suits your purpose as a scholar, you will probably need to break some of the old rules, particularly the rules that prohibit first person pronouns and personal experience. Although there are certainly some instructors who think that these rules should be followed (so it is a good idea to ask directly), many instructors in all kinds of fields are finding reason to depart from these rules. Avoiding “I” can lead to awkwardness and vagueness, whereas using it in your writing can improve style and clarity. Using personal experience, when relevant, can add concreteness and even authority to writing that might otherwise be vague and impersonal. Because college writing situations vary widely in terms of stylistic conventions, tone, audience, and purpose, the trick is deciphering the conventions of your writing context and determining how your purpose and audience affect the way you write. The rest of this handout is devoted to strategies for figuring out when to use “I” and personal experience.

Effective uses of “I”:

In many cases, using the first person pronoun can improve your writing, by offering the following benefits:

• Assertiveness: In some cases you might wish to emphasize agency (who is doing what), as for instance if you need to point out how valuable your particular project is to an academic discipline or to claim your unique perspective or argument.
• Clarity: Because trying to avoid the first person can lead to awkward constructions and vagueness, using the first person can improve your writing style.
• Positioning yourself in the essay: In some projects, you need to explain how your research or ideas build on or depart from the work of others, in which case you’ll need to say “I,” “we,” “my,” or “our”; if you wish to claim some kind of authority on the topic, first person may help you do so.

Deciding whether “I” will help your style

Here is an example of how using the first person can make the writing clearer and more assertive:

Original example:

In studying American popular culture of the 1980s, the question of to what degree materialism was a major characteristic of the cultural milieu was explored.

Better example using first person:

In our study of American popular culture of the 1980s, we explored the degree to which materialism characterized the cultural milieu.

The original example sounds less emphatic and direct than the revised version; using “I” allows the writers to avoid the convoluted construction of the original and clarifies who did what.

Here is an example in which alternatives to the first person would be more appropriate:

As I observed the communication styles of first-year Carolina women, I noticed frequent use of non-verbal cues.

Better example:

A study of the communication styles of first-year Carolina women revealed frequent use of non-verbal cues.

In the original example, using the first person grounds the experience heavily in the writer’s subjective, individual perspective, but the writer’s purpose is to describe a phenomenon that is in fact objective or independent of that perspective. Avoiding the first person here creates the desired impression of an observed phenomenon that could be reproduced and also creates a stronger, clearer statement.

Here’s another example in which an alternative to first person works better:

As I was reading this study of medieval village life, I noticed that social class tended to be clearly defined.

This study of medieval village life reveals that social class tended to be clearly defined.

Although you may run across instructors who find the casual style of the original example refreshing, they are probably rare. The revised version sounds more academic and renders the statement more assertive and direct.

Here’s a final example:

I think that Aristotle’s ethical arguments are logical and readily applicable to contemporary cases, or at least it seems that way to me.

Better example

Aristotle’s ethical arguments are logical and readily applicable to contemporary cases.

In this example, there is no real need to announce that that statement about Aristotle is your thought; this is your paper, so readers will assume that the ideas in it are yours.

Determining whether to use “I” according to the conventions of the academic field

Which fields allow “I”?

The rules for this are changing, so it’s always best to ask your instructor if you’re not sure about using first person. But here are some general guidelines.

Sciences: In the past, scientific writers avoided the use of “I” because scientists often view the first person as interfering with the impression of objectivity and impersonality they are seeking to create. But conventions seem to be changing in some cases—for instance, when a scientific writer is describing a project she is working on or positioning that project within the existing research on the topic. Check with your science instructor to find out whether it’s o.k. to use “I” in their class.

Social Sciences: Some social scientists try to avoid “I” for the same reasons that other scientists do. But first person is becoming more commonly accepted, especially when the writer is describing their project or perspective.

Humanities: Ask your instructor whether you should use “I.” The purpose of writing in the humanities is generally to offer your own analysis of language, ideas, or a work of art. Writers in these fields tend to value assertiveness and to emphasize agency (who’s doing what), so the first person is often—but not always—appropriate. Sometimes writers use the first person in a less effective way, preceding an assertion with “I think,” “I feel,” or “I believe” as if such a phrase could replace a real defense of an argument. While your audience is generally interested in your perspective in the humanities fields, readers do expect you to fully argue, support, and illustrate your assertions. Personal belief or opinion is generally not sufficient in itself; you will need evidence of some kind to convince your reader.

Other writing situations: If you’re writing a speech, use of the first and even the second person (“you”) is generally encouraged because these personal pronouns can create a desirable sense of connection between speaker and listener and can contribute to the sense that the speaker is sincere and involved in the issue. If you’re writing a resume, though, avoid the first person; describe your experience, education, and skills without using a personal pronoun (for example, under “Experience” you might write “Volunteered as a peer counselor”).

A note on the second person “you”:

In situations where your intention is to sound conversational and friendly because it suits your purpose, as it does in this handout intended to offer helpful advice, or in a letter or speech, “you” might help to create just the sense of familiarity you’re after. But in most academic writing situations, “you” sounds overly conversational, as for instance in a claim like “when you read the poem ‘The Wasteland,’ you feel a sense of emptiness.” In this case, the “you” sounds overly conversational. The statement would read better as “The poem ‘The Wasteland’ creates a sense of emptiness.” Academic writers almost always use alternatives to the second person pronoun, such as “one,” “the reader,” or “people.”

Personal experience in academic writing

The question of whether personal experience has a place in academic writing depends on context and purpose. In papers that seek to analyze an objective principle or data as in science papers, or in papers for a field that explicitly tries to minimize the effect of the researcher’s presence such as anthropology, personal experience would probably distract from your purpose. But sometimes you might need to explicitly situate your position as researcher in relation to your subject of study. Or if your purpose is to present your individual response to a work of art, to offer examples of how an idea or theory might apply to life, or to use experience as evidence or a demonstration of an abstract principle, personal experience might have a legitimate role to play in your academic writing. Using personal experience effectively usually means keeping it in the service of your argument, as opposed to letting it become an end in itself or take over the paper.

It’s also usually best to keep your real or hypothetical stories brief, but they can strengthen arguments in need of concrete illustrations or even just a little more vitality.

Here are some examples of effective ways to incorporate personal experience in academic writing:

• Anecdotes: In some cases, brief examples of experiences you’ve had or witnessed may serve as useful illustrations of a point you’re arguing or a theory you’re evaluating. For instance, in philosophical arguments, writers often use a real or hypothetical situation to illustrate abstract ideas and principles.
• References to your own experience can explain your interest in an issue or even help to establish your authority on a topic.
• Some specific writing situations, such as application essays, explicitly call for discussion of personal experience.

Here are some suggestions about including personal experience in writing for specific fields:

Philosophy: In philosophical writing, your purpose is generally to reconstruct or evaluate an existing argument, and/or to generate your own. Sometimes, doing this effectively may involve offering a hypothetical example or an illustration. In these cases, you might find that inventing or recounting a scenario that you’ve experienced or witnessed could help demonstrate your point. Personal experience can play a very useful role in your philosophy papers, as long as you always explain to the reader how the experience is related to your argument. (See our handout on writing in philosophy for more information.)

Religion: Religion courses might seem like a place where personal experience would be welcomed. But most religion courses take a cultural, historical, or textual approach, and these generally require objectivity and impersonality. So although you probably have very strong beliefs or powerful experiences in this area that might motivate your interest in the field, they shouldn’t supplant scholarly analysis. But ask your instructor, as it is possible that they are interested in your personal experiences with religion, especially in less formal assignments such as response papers. (See our handout on writing in religious studies for more information.)

Literature, Music, Fine Arts, and Film: Writing projects in these fields can sometimes benefit from the inclusion of personal experience, as long as it isn’t tangential. For instance, your annoyance over your roommate’s habits might not add much to an analysis of “Citizen Kane.” However, if you’re writing about Ridley Scott’s treatment of relationships between women in the movie “Thelma and Louise,” some reference your own observations about these relationships might be relevant if it adds to your analysis of the film. Personal experience can be especially appropriate in a response paper, or in any kind of assignment that asks about your experience of the work as a reader or viewer. Some film and literature scholars are interested in how a film or literary text is received by different audiences, so a discussion of how a particular viewer or reader experiences or identifies with the piece would probably be appropriate. (See our handouts on writing about fiction , art history , and drama for more information.)

Women’s Studies: Women’s Studies classes tend to be taught from a feminist perspective, a perspective which is generally interested in the ways in which individuals experience gender roles. So personal experience can often serve as evidence for your analytical and argumentative papers in this field. This field is also one in which you might be asked to keep a journal, a kind of writing that requires you to apply theoretical concepts to your experiences.

History: If you’re analyzing a historical period or issue, personal experience is less likely to advance your purpose of objectivity. However, some kinds of historical scholarship do involve the exploration of personal histories. So although you might not be referencing your own experience, you might very well be discussing other people’s experiences as illustrations of their historical contexts. (See our handout on writing in history for more information.)

Sciences: Because the primary purpose is to study data and fixed principles in an objective way, personal experience is less likely to have a place in this kind of writing. Often, as in a lab report, your goal is to describe observations in such a way that a reader could duplicate the experiment, so the less extra information, the better. Of course, if you’re working in the social sciences, case studies—accounts of the personal experiences of other people—are a crucial part of your scholarship. (See our handout on  writing in the sciences for more information.)

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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I've been an expat in Bali for 10 years, but don't think I can afford the 'luxury' lifestyle everyone talks about. I miss how it used to be.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Christin Baumgarten, 39, about living in Bali with her husband and two kids. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

• Christin Baumgarten moved to Bali in 2014 when it was an emerging hub for startups.
• She says that over the years, Bali has become more Westernized, crowded, and expensive.
• She still enjoys living there, but isn't sure if her family will stay in their area forever.

Recommended articles

I moved to Bali from Berlin in April 2014.

I'd visited before for two weeks and loved how relaxed I felt there. I was going there for a PR and marketing internship, and was looking forward to learning new things in the marketing field and to Bali's slower pace of life .

Bali has been my home for a decade now. I met my now-husband here, and we have two children.

I think Bali is a great place to raise kids , but I've also noticed things have changed a lot over the years because of the tourist and expat presence. I'm not yet sure whether my family and I will stay in our area long-term.

I moved to Bali when it was becoming known as an emerging startup hub

I initially just planned to stay in Bali for the length of the three-month internship.

After moving, I got to know a lot of people who started companies here. Back then, there was a wave of startups being found in Bali. I remember the BBC comparing it to Silicon Valley.

I went to a networking event and met the then-CEO of a business communication company. I told her my internship was finishing, and I was offered an internship with her company, which led to a full-time role as the social media marketing manager.

I've been working there ever since but shifted roles to become an operations manager three years ago.

Once I was hired, I switched from a social visa to a KITAS, a temporary residence permit, and am now on a KITAP, a permanent stay permit that foreigners with Indonesian spouses are eligible for.

I was lonely at first, but now I have a husband and 2 kids here

Initially, I found Bali a bit lonely. It was difficult to meet people staying here more than a few months.

I made very good Indonesian friends, but it would've been nice to have more expat connections.

My mind wasn't completely set on staying initially, so I wasn't really investing in building relationships. I didn't take a course in the local language until a year and a half in. While I mostly speak English with Indonesian friends, those classes were a great way to meet other expats.

Things are a bit different now that I have a family.

I met my husband in 2014, the same year I moved. We didn't start dating until 2015 and got married in 2019. We had a daughter in 2020 and a son in 2023.

My husband is Indonesian, and we feel very integrated into the local community. He currently runs a caf and a guest house we opened in Sumatra , the island he's from, traveling back and forth from Bali as needed.

My daughter is going to kindergarten, and she loves it. In general, Indonesian people are really good with children. If we go to a restaurant, no one gets upset if kids are loud or have a tantrum, and waiters will actually entertain them.

Years ago, we planned to move to Germany , where I'm from, when the kids reached schooling age because education is free. Schooling in an international curriculum in Bali is expensive.

My husband would be open to relocating to Germany for our family, but the language and visa requirements would be challenging.

More recently, we've found a range of international education options in Bali, and by the time my daughter is old enough, we may find something that suits her better than moving to Germany, where the kids would have to make new friends.

Tourism has driven up the cost of living in Bali

I'd say that as an expat, I'm making more than the average local person in Bali, but I still don't think I could afford the luxury lifestyle that Bali is being promoted for , like the villas and pools.

Demand for rentals has gone up. During COVID-19, Bali was dead, and I don't think anyone expected people to come back so fast in the numbers they have. One reason I'm aware of is people are drawn to the investment option of building villas in Bali . Another is that following the Ukraine war, lots of people from Russia and Ukraine have moved to Bali.

Rents have risen dramatically in some areas. We have a long-term rental agreement for the house we live in now, so we haven't been impacted by this yet.

Other prices have also increased, making it harder for local people to afford their lifestyles. When we shop at local markets, we notice the price of chicken and vegetables has gone up. New hotels and big restaurants are driving up demand — it seems that Bali wants to keep attracting more tourists who are willing to spend more money.

Things have changed significantly and I'm not sure if we'll stay where we are or move

Bali has become more Westernized in recent years. The area I live in, Renon, was known as a small little town with original restaurants, but it has changed completely. There are more houses villas, grocery marts and shops. We have new things to do, like going shopping or to playgrounds, but I miss the feeling of Bali — the calmness — it used to have.

There's more traffic now and I notice I feel annoyed going from one place to the other. Rice fields are disappearing and more land is being built on.

My family will probably continue to live in Bali for a few years. Raising kids here is great, and so are the people and environment.

But with how things are developing, I'm not sure we'll continue to stay in our area. It's becoming too crowded and touristy.

We'd perhaps consider moving elsewhere in Bali. There are places, such as in the east and north of Bali, that are less touristy. We have considered moving to the island of Sumatra, where my husband is from, but the volume and quality of schools and hospitals aren't as good as in Bali.

I still really enjoy living in Bali . I understand why people are flocking here, but for people who have been here for so long, like me, there have been big changes — and a lot of the original things have been lost.

Do you have a relocation story you'd like to share with Business Insider? Email [email protected]

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Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Matters

Defining critical thinking dispositions and why they’re crucial..

Posted September 23, 2024 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

• Another way to think about and measure critical thinking is to include aspects of motivational dispositions.
• Dispositions include open-mindedness and a willingness to be reflective when evaluating information.
• People scoring low in critical thinking dispositions tend to “keep it simple” when something is complex.
• Critical thinking dispositions help individuals avoid oversimplification and can facilitate awareness of bias.

Critical thinking springs from the notion of reflective thought proposed by Dewey (1933), who borrowed from the work of philosophers such as William James and Charles Peirce. Reflective thought was defined as the process of suspending judgment, remaining open-minded, maintaining a healthy skepticism, and taking responsibility for one’s own development (Gerber et al., 2005; Stoyanov & Kirshner, 2007).

Kurland (1995) suggested, “Critical thinking is concerned with reason, intellectual honesty, and open-mindedness, as opposed to emotionalism, intellectual laziness, and closed-mindedness. Thus, critical thinking involves… considering all possibilities… being precise; considering a variety of possible viewpoints and explanations; weighing the effects of motives and biases; being concerned more with finding the truth than with being right…being aware of one’s own prejudices and biases” (p. 3). Thus, being able to perspective-take and becoming conscious of one’s own biases are potential benefits of critical thinking capacities.

Reviews of the critical thinking literature (e.g., Bensley, 2023) suggest that the assessment of this construct ought to include aspects of motivational dispositions. Numerous frameworks of critical thinking dispositions have been proposed (e.g., Bensley, 2018; Butler & Halpern, 2019; Dwyer, 2017); some commonly identified dispositions are open-mindedness, intellectual engagement, and a proclivity to take a reflective stance or approach to evaluating information and the views and beliefs of both oneself and others. Demir (2022) posited that critical thinking dispositions reflect persons’ attitudes toward and routine ways of responding to new information and diverging ideas, willingness to engage in nuanced and complex rather than either/or reductionistic thinking, and perseverance in attempts to understand and resolve complex problems.

Other examples of dispositions are inquisitiveness, open-mindedness, tolerance for ambiguity, thinking about thinking, honesty in assessing or evaluating biases, and willingness to reconsider one’s own views and ways of doing things (Facione et al., 2001). Individual personality attributes associated with these proclivities include a need for cognition (a desire for intellectual stimulation), which is positively associated with critical thinking, and the need for closure (a motivated cognitive style in which individuals prefer predictability, firm answers, and rapid decision making ) and anti-intellectualism (a resentment of “the life of the mind” and those who represent it), both negatively associated with critical thinking.

Further, an ideological component that can impede critical thinking is dogmatism . In addition, rigid, dichotomous thinking impedes critical thinking in that it oversimplifies the complexity of social life in a pluralistic society (Bensley, 2023; Cheung et al., 2002; Halpern & Dunn, 2021) and tries to reduce complicated phenomena and resolve complex problems via “either/or” formulations and simplistic solutions.

In other words, folks with low critical thinking dispositions would tend to “keep it simple” when something is really quite complicated, and think it absolute terms and categories rather than seeing “the gray” in between the black and white extremes.

In sum, critical thinking dispositions are vitally important because they may help individuals avoid oversimplifying reality; they also permit perspective-taking and can facilitate their awareness of diversity and systematic biases, such as racial or gender bias . Some research has indicated that critical thinking dispositions uniquely contribute to academic performance beyond general cognition (Ren et al., 2020), and may help to reduce unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy beliefs (Bensley, 2023; Lantian et al., 2021).

But before we can study the potential impact of critical thinking dispositions, it is necessary to have a reliable, valid, and hopefully brief measure for this construct. I will discuss the development and validation of a measure of critical thinking dispositions in another post.

Bensley, D.A. ( 2023.) Critical thinking, intelligence, and unsubstantiated beliefs: An integrative review. Journal of Intelligence, 1 , 207. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11110207

Bensley, D.A. (2018). Critical thinking in psychology and everyday life: A guide to effective thinking . New York: Worth Publishers.

Butler, H.A., & Halpern, D.F. (2019). Is critical thinking a better model of intelligence? In Robert J. Sternberg (Ed.) The Nature of Intelligence (pp. 183–96). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cheung, C.-K, Rudowicz. E., Kwan, A., & Yue, X.. (2002). Assessing university students’ general and specific criticalthinking. College Student Journal, 36 , 504 – 25.

Demir, E. (2022). An examination of high school students’ critical thinking dispositions and analytical thinking skills. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 6 , 190–200. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.202217357

Dewey, J. (1933). How we think: A restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the educative process . Lexington: Heath and Company.

Dwyer, C. P. (2017). Critical thinking: Conceptual perspectives and practical guidelines . Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press.

Facione, P., Facione, N,C,, & Giancarlo, C.A.F. (2001(. California Critical Disposition Inventory . Millbrae: California Academic Press.

Gerber, S., Scott, L., Clements, D.H., & Sarama, J. (2005). Instructor influence on reasoned argument in discussion boards. Educational Technology, Research & Development, 53 , 25–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02504864

Halpern, D. F., & Dunn, D.S. (2021). Critical thinking: A model of intelligence for solving real-world problems. Journal of Intelligence, 9 , 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence9020022

Kurland, D. (1995). I know what it says… What does it mean? Critical skills for critical reading . Belmont: Wadsworth.

Lantian, A., Bagneux, V., Delouvee, S., & Gauvrit, N. (2021). Maybe a free thinker but not a critical one: High conspiracybelief is associated with low critical thinking ability. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 35 , 674 – 84. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3790

Ren, X., Tong, Y., Peng, P. & Wang, T. (2020). Critical thinking predicts academic performance beyond general cognitiveability: Evidence from adults and children. Intelligence, 82 , 101487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2020.101487

Stoyanov, S., & Kirschner, P. ( 2007). Effect of problem solving support and cognitive styles on idea generation:Implications for technology-enhanced learning. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 40 , 49–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2007.10782496

Kyle D. Killian, Ph.D., LMFT is the author of Interracial Couples, Intimacy and Therapy: Crossing Racial Borders.

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September 23, 2024

Eagles' Nick Sirianni on fourth-down calls: 'I'm making the decision that I think is best for the football team'

Sirianni left points on the table to have the eagles go for it on fourth down in spots against the saints where they arguably didn't need to. a day after the win, he stood by his process..

Nick Sirianni hasn't hesitated much about going for it on fourth down so far this season.

Back in Philly a day after the Eagles' win over the Saints, questions for head coach Nick Sirianni's press conference cut straight to his fourth-down decision-making. 

The Eagles rallied late to beat New Orleans, 15-12, on the road , but did so on the back of mostly stellar defense, big offensive plays from Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert, and having to overcome fourth-down calls that backfired and left the team facing a 3-0 hole all the way up until the fourth quarter – and very arguably in needlessly risky spots. 

"I'm making the decision that I think is best for the football team," Sirianni said after the fact on Monday during a video call with the local media . "Sometimes that works out. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I come back at the end of it and rethink every single time, but in the middle of it, and as it's happening, I'm making the best-educated decision I can to help the football team win."

The Eagles went 1-for-3 on fourth-down tries against New Orleans on Sunday. 

With 14 seconds left in the first half, and the Eagles in the red zone trailing 3-0 on a 4th and 1, the offense stayed out and lined up for the "Tush Push," but ran it as a fake to Saquon Barkley to the outside hoping to catch the Saints off guard. The whole play hit a wall instead and got stopped short for a turnover on downs. The Saints then kneeled out the clock to take that 3-0 lead with them into the intermission. 

Not fooled. 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/PwgFPAliTa — New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 22, 2024

The Eagles got the ball coming back from the break, and after managing a drive down to the Saints' 34-yard line, they were again faced with another 4th and short situation still trailing by three – this time from three yards out. 

The call was for the offense to stay on the field. Jalen Hurts lined up in the shotgun to signal a pass. The Saints' defense rushed four. The pocket collapsed immediately and there was no escape. Hurts got sacked for another turnover on downs to leave the Eagles empty-handed.

Yet another 4th down stop thanks to Bryan Bresee 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/iXztItFeyo — New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 22, 2024

In both scenarios, a Jake Elliott field goal attempt was easily on the table to at least tie it up with plenty of time still to work with, but Sirianni, who owned both calls, wanted the dice rolls . 

Neither worked, but the Eagles managed to recover from them this time.

"I did what I thought was probably best for us in that particular case," Sirianni said of Sunday's first fourth-down attempt with seconds left in the half. "Hey, it didn't work. When it doesn't work, there's nowhere else to look but right here, right on me." 

Staying on that specific instance, Sirianni said he knew the field goal try was there in response to a follow-up question, but reinforced that had the Eagles gotten the first down, he believed they would've had two shots at the end zone to try for the lead before the clock ran out.  They would've had one timeout to work with under tight constraints if they did, but they never got to find out. 

Sirianni's aggressiveness, or lack thereof, on fourth down in questionable spots on Sunday carried over from the week before against the Falcons , when early gambles didn't pay off and settling for a field goal late – after a third-down pass that would've iced the game for the Eagles slipped right through Barkley's hands – immediately came back to bite them in a last-second loss. 

It all cost them a game in Week 2, didn't in Week 3, yet left the concerns to linger. 

"I'm not gonna get into – I know I tried to share with you guys as much as I could last week – I'm not gonna make that a weekly habit of explaining that to you guys," Sirianni told the media of his fourth-down logic. "Every time I do something like that, I'm doing it because I think it gives us the best chance to win the football game. 

"When you don't convert on fourth down, that's going to be 100 percent on me. That's my role as the head football coach, when that play doesn't go the right way, there's going to be blame to be had, and that's going to be on me."

MORE:  Jalen Carter woke up in the Eagles' win over the Saints

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Lindor: Pain tolerance the key to return this season

Anthony DiComo

NEW YORK -- Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said Sunday that he’s unlikely to play without back pain again this season, but he continues to progress toward a return that could occur as soon as Tuesday in Atlanta.

“If I play this year, I don’t think it’s going to be pain-free,” Lindor said after the Mets' 2-1 win over the Phillies. “And I’m OK with that. I just don’t want it to be a constant pain where I can’t bend over. Then I put my teammates in a position where I’m not helping them as much as I can. That’s not fair for anybody.”

Lindor took batting practice for a second consecutive day on Sunday, but it was an abbreviated session that he chalked up to hitting his “threshold” for discomfort in his lower back.

“Every day I’m pushing it to the limit, and today I hit that limit, and then I just felt like that was enough,” Lindor said. “The goal is to come in every day and work as hard as I can to reach that limit that the trainers … want me to hit. And then we go from there. Today, I got to that threshold. So it was another day, another slow step in the right direction.”

• Senga feels triceps tightness during rehab start, won't return in regular season

Since injuring his back during a Sept. 13 game in Philadelphia, Lindor has played a total of one inning. He returned two days after suffering the injury but aggravated it that night and shut things down. He hasn’t appeared in a game since, and he said Sunday that his pain was initially severe enough that he “couldn’t really walk” and was “rolling out of bed.”

Last Thursday, Lindor received a facet joint injection into his spine, which was designed to relieve his symptoms. While the injection “definitely made [the pain] a little bit more mild,” Lindor said, “it didn’t fully take it away.”

“I feel it,” he added. “It’s definitely there.”

Still, Lindor has described this mostly as a pain tolerance issue, giving him hope that he can return this season -- perhaps sooner rather than later. He is not ruling out a return as soon as Tuesday in Atlanta, where the Mets open a key three-game series against the defending National League East champion Braves.

Asked if he is certain he’ll return in the regular season, Lindor replied: “I’m optimistic that I’m going to play. I have faith. I believe in the Lord. And I believe in what the trainers are doing. … I’m doing everything I can day in and day out to try to be in a position where I can get back and play. I want to be there as much as anybody.”

Prior to his injury, Lindor was challenging Shohei Ohtani for the National League MVP Award. He remains one of the NL’s most productive players despite his extended absence, with a .271/.342/.494 slash line, 31 homers and 27 stolen bases in 148 games.

Have the latest news, ticket information, and more from the Mets and MLB delivered right to your inbox.

Mitigating Lindor’s absence is the fact that rookie Luisangel Acuña has thrived since his call-up, slashing .379/.400/.828 with three home runs, two doubles and one triple in nine games. Acuña has served as the Mets’ everyday shortstop over the past week and credits Lindor for helping ease his transition to the Majors.

But the Mets understand they are a better team with their MVP in the lineup.

So far, Lindor has run, thrown, taken ground balls, hit on the field and tracked pitches in the bullpen. Although he hasn’t run the bases or faced live pitching since his injury, Lindor said that won’t necessarily stop him from returning as soon as he’s physically able to do so.

“We all play with pain,” Lindor said. “I think players would be lying if they said, ‘Oh, I feel 100 percent.’ … At the end of the day, we’ve just got to make sure we’re in a good spot where we can play."