ABSTRACT
Many facts and ideas in Applied Linguistics are disputed because academics have different theoretical positions, hold opposing philosophical beliefs, or support conflicting methodological approaches. If you are studying Applied Linguistics at MA level you will need to express an opinion about previous authors’ work. You will find that if you only repeat in your essays the work of the authors you have read, you will not get a good mark. It is much easier to write about something if you have formed an opinion about it. Having an opinion also makes it easier to identify authors whose work you agree with, and other authors whose work you disagree with.
