Opinions and Writing

While everyone has the right to an opinion, most opinions are valueless, mere emotional expressions, or repeated rhetoric. Opinions expressed without a supporting argument are worthless and quickly dismissed. Opinions expressed with substantive support have value, and merit attention, because they inform, educate, or engage the listener or reader.

If you had more facts, or different facts, your opinion would likely change. (Unless your opinion is based upon clear and unchanging values.) A mistake commonly made is to assume that the facts as one understands them are in fact the real facts. Few permit themselves to see what they can't see. That is, the facts that do not appear to them.

Copyright 2006 David K. Speaker