From My Mind to....

Opinions

Today is the 61st day (out of 96) on my Genre Review Quest (see "Genre Reviewing" }} for background), featuring the Opinion genre.

I believe many of us think that an opinion should be rooted in fact. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, that's not necessarily the case. The first two definitions offered are:

1.  A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.

2.  Belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge.

But, as most of us can read in social media, in the news, and in conversations between two people meeting on the street, opinion is often couched in emotion.

Under Browse By Genre, listings with Opinion as a genre number more than 8100 items. My problem was trying to decide which item to review. I do love essays, which seems to include the Opinion genre.

I'm reminded by the old quip: "Opinions are like a**holes; everyone has one." And because of that, I resist efforts to draw me into discussions (read, arguments) on social media.

Anyway, this first journey of genre reviews will go another month or so. More to come.