Final answer:
The phrase 'it seems to me' is considered an understatement because it is a subjective opinion, reflecting a personal perspective rather than a factual claim. Distinguishing between facts and opinions is important in academic writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'it seems to me' in line 17 is best described as an understatement because it is a subjective opinion. When someone says 'it seems to me', they are expressing how they perceive or interpret a situation, and not making a factual statement. This is distinct from an exaggeration or an accurate description. It's also important to acknowledge that evaluating whether something is a fact or an opinion can be challenging, as the distinction is not always clear-cut. However, subjective opinions are personal beliefs or values that reflect one's own viewpoint rather than objective facts.
In the context of evaluating statements and arguments, individuals often have to parse through different types of claims—factual statements, inferences, and opinions. Facts are claims that can be proven to be true or false, unlike opinions, which are based on personal beliefs and cannot be universally proven. In academic and argumentative writing, it's crucial to support opinions with evidence, while informative and analytical writing should focus on presenting facts without bias.