In a novel essay, can i use the words "in my opinion" ?

Question

shelby1290 · Answer

My teacher wants us to explain how we feel about the practice of eugenics

e.mccormick · Answer

Well, when qualifying as your opinion, you are discussing your thoughts and feelings.  Do you need to support them in the type of essay you are writing?

shelby1290 · Answer

yea i believe so...but she wasn't clear on that

e.mccormick · Answer

How much "I" this or "my" that is dependent on the type of essay.  Generally it would only be used in an editorial or opinion piece.  If this is supposed to be more like an argumentative or expository essay, you would not use opinion as much as say a supported viewpoint.  So you express it more with the support than blatant words like, "In my opinion..."

shelby1290 · Answer

Okay i'm gonna type out what she told us to do and then you judge if its an argumentative essay or not....

shelby1290 · Answer

Define Eugenics.Using examples from The Chrysalids and Gattaca, defend your opinion on the practice in a well though out 3-paragraph essay.

PARAGRAPH 1- define/explain eugenics-explore negative and positive sides of the practice
                      -state your opinion on the practice

PARAGRAPH 2-using examples from The Chrysalids and Gattaca defend and support your position

PARAGRAPH 3-tie it all together in an effective conclusion, restate your opinion,summarize your arguments

shelby1290 · Answer

Argumentative right?

e.mccormick · Answer

Hmm...  Yes, I think they are having you use the book and film to exemplify your position, but you probably need some other sources for the definition and pro/con in the first paragraph.  However, for single paragraphs, you need to get right to the point.

shelby1290 · Answer

alright

e.mccormick · Answer

Here is a bit on the topic: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2569201/ It is short enough you might have time to get one ot two key things out of it. It is also from the Journal of Medical Ethics, a very citable source.