How to Write an Opinion Essay Without Using I

Opinion essays can be used to give your readers a sense of who you are and what you believe in. It’s an integral part of most writing assignments in colleges, so it’s something you’ll have to do over and over again.

These essay types entail giving your point of view about a topic. They are similar to reviews in that they both offer an assessment of something and include how the review writer feels about that subject. However, the two differ because opinion focuses on emotions rather than facts, although this is not always true. While an opinion essay can often be challenging to write, adding an interesting wrinkle can make it much easier to complete.

The challenging part is that they are characterized by the word “I”, which might sound monotonous. But is there a way to write these essays without this phrase? Let’s travel this road together and see what other options exist.

Why You Should Not Use “I” Excessively

Despite the word I characterizing opinion essays, sometimes it may sound boring and lose the reader’s interest.

In fact, the word is compelling. It gives a sense of belonging and individuality. It makes you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself. It also gives you authority and credibility. If you write an opinion essay without using the word, your readers may not believe what you are saying, or they will think you are just repeating what other people have said.

However, all good writing is done with the reader in mind. If you aren’t thinking about your reader while writing, your essay won’t be as effective as it could be. If you want to write an opinion-based paper that will get people talking, then using “I” excessively will only make them tune out or stop reading altogether.

Also see: How to write a 5 paragraph opinion essay 

Therefore, you should balance its use to avoid looking selfish, not minding the reader’s needs or boring.

Other Options for the Word

The word “I” is critical in an opinion essay. It’s the foundation of your argument, and it’s what gives you credibility. It’s also the only way to talk about yourself and your experiences. 

But what other options exist rather than using the word continuously? These phrases are ideal for use and will still make you sound objective and professional.

1. In my opinion + your sentence

The phrase “in my opinion” is a crucial alternative to “I” in writing an essay. If not well-checked and balanced, the word “I” can make your essay sound egotistical and self-centred and distract readers from your argument.

However, “in my opinion” gives your argument more weight because it clarifies that people should listen to what you have to say and not try to prove them wrong. This helps readers understand that your ideas are valid and worth listening to.

Further, it sounds more professional because it shows that you have researched thoroughly and have come to a conclusion based on your research. It shows you are confident in what you say without saying “I” directly.

Similarly, it is less non-personal and non-specific. Therefore, it does not give the impression that you are trying to convince your readers about something. Instead, it gives them an idea about what you think about a particular topic or issue.

2. In my mind + your sentence

This is also an ideal alternative to “I” and “in my opinion” phrases. It uses a similar approach as the first option and achieves the following;

• It allows you to keep your focus on the issue rather than yourself.
• It shows you have thought about the issue from all angles and carefully considered it from different perspectives. This will demonstrate that you are an honest and thorough thinker capable of forming well-reasoned opinions, which are essential qualities for any opinion essay writer.
• It allows your readers to think about what you have written from their viewpoint and make conclusions. This will help build trust between you and your readers, which is especially important when writing about controversial topics that may make some people uncomfortable or angry.

3. Although + point you disagree with + statement you agree with

This is another way to write your essay and avoid the “I.” It is perfect when comparing two issues or developing a new line of a point different from what people believe.

4. Combining adverbs, adjectives, and nouns 

Another excellent option to avoid using “I” is combining an adverb, an adjective, and a noun. An adverb describes a noun, such as how the verb happened. For example, slowly, fast, or loudly. On the other hand, an adjective describes a noun and includes words like red, angry or unique.

Nouns are names of places, people, or objects. Combining the three words can help express your opinion and avoid the “I” factor.

For example, you can write, “the research on adult education was hurriedly done and did not provide unique perspectives”. This expresses your opinion on the said research professionally and objectively. 

5. It could be argued that + your sentence

This phrase is effective when you want to challenge a widely accepted opinion or viewpoint. Not only does it help you avoid using “I” but it is also effective in showing two sides of an argument.

Further, it shows that you have researched thoroughly and thought about the topic. The phrase also indicates that as a writer, you are open to other points of view and welcome others to share their opinions. 

The phrase can be used in many different situations. For example, if you are writing about a controversial topic, such as abortion or gun control, you may be unsure what side of the issue you should take. 

6. It would seem that + your sentence

This phrase is another excellent alternative to “I”. It allows you to express your opinion without making it clear that you are doing so. Also, it is effective when you are not stating an absolute fact or do not have the information needed to state a fact.

The phrase comes in handy in some opinion essay types, such as an argumentative essay. You may have done all your research but still have questions about certain aspects of your topic because they don’t fit neatly into any category or require further investigation.

7. Combining any of the mentioned options

Opinion essays help show your ingenuity and critical thinking skills. Further, combining two or three of the already mentioned options can also be a perfect option.

For example, you can combine #1 and #4 and still drive your point home. The combination may be like, “In my opinion, this research was hurriedly done and does not provide deep insights into the topic.”

Wrap-up

This blog entry has hopefully provided insight into how you might write a compelling opinion essay for class without using the word “I”.

And whereas writing with the mentioned phrases may sound like a lofty goal, it’s not impossible to achieve. In fact, you can write a nearly complete without using any “I” statements at all. It’s just a matter of remembering how to use the mentioned tips, and your essay will still pass the intended message.

Generally, it does not mean using the word “I” is a mistake, but you need to balance its use and try other options to juice up your opinion essay.