Making a strong argument is only half the work when writing in English. The real difference between good writing and impactful writing lies in your ability to back up your ideas with voices that carry authority. This is exactly what separates an average piece from one that readers trust and remember.
Why should you include expert opinions in your writing?
Picture this scenario: you are writing and you come up with a brilliant point, an excellent argument, or a creative solution to a common problem [01:00]. These are all valid ideas, but the question is — what do you do next? How can you take that already strong argument and make it even better?
The answer is straightforward: find experts who think in a similar way or who have written something that supports your argument. Whether it is a political leader, a renowned author, or a group of scientists, including expert opinions transforms your writing from personal perspective into something readers perceive as well-researched and trustworthy [02:12].
How do you reference experts in your text?
There are several phrases you can use to introduce an expert opinion after making your own point [02:43]:
- "As mentioned by Obama (2020)..." when quoting a specific person and year.
- "Huffington pointed out that..." using the surname of the author.
- "Musk believes that..." when referencing a well-known figure.
- "NASA scientists observed that..." for general scientific sources.
Notice that when referencing people, you use their surname (last name), not their first name. The year in brackets — such as 2020 or 2018 — indicates when the source was published. This specific format will be covered in more detail in an upcoming lesson [03:20].
What are the benefits of using expert opinions?
When you support your arguments with credible names, three powerful things happen [03:57]:
- Your arguments become more believable because readers see a recognized name alongside your ideas.
- Your writing gains academic proof, showing that what you think has been explored and validated by professionals.
- Your overall writing becomes more credible, which strengthens your personal brand.
Your personal brand is directly connected to how people perceive your writing. If your texts feel well-supported and backed by evidence, readers will associate that credibility with you as a professional.
Where can you practice this strategy?
Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are excellent spaces to practice writing at an advanced level [00:32]. These are public forums where you can apply what you learn and get real feedback. Using the hashtag #WritingWithPlatsy allows you to share your progress and connect with others working on the same skills.
A great resource to study strong writing is the Huffington Post, founded by Arianna Huffington [02:00]. Reading articles from skilled authors helps you observe how expert opinions are woven into arguments naturally.
How does this fit into the bigger picture of impactful writing?
This strategy is part of the broader do's and don'ts of writing — a set of guidelines designed to help you produce texts that are not only well-structured but also persuasive. The key takeaway is simple: your ideas deserve reinforcement, and expert opinions provide exactly that.
The next step involves learning the complete method for citing sources and understanding the important conventions that come with referencing other people's work. If you have already started applying expert voices in your writing, share your experience and tell us which sources have strengthened your arguments the most.
