Opinion Essays

Opinion EssaysOpinion Essays

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DefinitionDefinition

A formal piece of writing showing an A formal piece of writing showing an opinion on a topic, which must be opinion on a topic, which must be stated clearly, giving various stated clearly, giving various viewpoints on the topic, supported viewpoints on the topic, supported by reasons and / or examples.by reasons and / or examples.

It is usually found in the form of an It is usually found in the form of an article in newspapers, magazines, article in newspapers, magazines, etc.etc.

StructureStructure“English and Math are more important subjects than Art and Music”

Isn’t it unfortunate that in today’s society there are so many people who cannot read, write or even do arithmetic? I strongly believe that, although subjects such as Art and Music are important, English and Math are the most fundamental part of our education.

In the first place, when you know how to read, write and do simple calculations, you have the tools required in order to deal with everyday matters. For example, being able to read and write can help you communicate and express yourself clearly. Moreover, you need basic math for such daily chores as doing your shopping, paying your bills and managing your money.

Furthermore, it is essential to have a good knowledge of English and Math in order to find even the simplest job. Reading, writing and mathematical skills are the minimum requirements that most employers demand.

On the other hand, it can be argued that Art and Music are just as significant as English and Math. For instance, learning how to draw or play an instrument can introduce a child to a whole new world. In addition to this, subjects such as Arts and Music can provide children with a well-rounded education rather than just basic skills.

All things considered, though, it seems to me that English and Math are vital subjects. Without learning to read, write or do arithmetic, people may have difficulties coping with even the simplest tasks in daily life.

StructureStructure

Introduction.Introduction. Main Body.Main Body. ConclusionConclusion..

Structure: IntroductionStructure: Introduction Introducing the topic.Introducing the topic. Stating your opinion clearly.Stating your opinion clearly.

“Traditional values are irrelevant to modern society”. Do you agree?

Has modern society changed so much that the values of the past no longer have any place? In my view, society will always need values, and the society we live in today would function better if traditional values were retained.

Structure: Introduction. TipsStructure: Introduction. Tips Make reference to an unusual or striking idea, Make reference to an unusual or striking idea,

scene or situation.scene or situation.

Address the reader directly.Address the reader directly.

Start with a quotation or a thought-provoking Start with a quotation or a thought-provoking statement.statement.

“Is Television killing physical communication among individuals?”Imagine millions of people coming home from school or work everyday to sit staring at a wall for four hours.

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like without cars?

“Is Television killing physical communication among individuals?”“Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you wouldn’t have in your home,” David Frost once said.

Structure: Main BodyStructure: Main Body

It consists of several paragraphs.It consists of several paragraphs. Each paragraphEach paragraph

– Presents a separate viewpoint supported by reasons.Presents a separate viewpoint supported by reasons.– Starts with a Starts with a topic sentencetopic sentence..

Clear statement of the main idea of the paragraph.Clear statement of the main idea of the paragraph.

– Gives appropriate Gives appropriate supporting sentencessupporting sentences.. Justification of the main idea with(out) examples.Justification of the main idea with(out) examples.

The last paragraphThe last paragraph– Presents the opposing viewpoint.Presents the opposing viewpoint.– Reasons why you think that viewpoint is Reasons why you think that viewpoint is

unconvincing.unconvincing.

Structure: ConclusionStructure: Conclusion

A paragraph that restates your A paragraph that restates your opinion using different words.opinion using different words.

“Traditional values are irrelevant to modern society”. Do you agree?

To sum up, I strongly believe that, whatever changes may occur in society, we must fight to maintain our traditional sense of right and wrong. As Pope Paul VI said: “We must see to it that enthusiasm for the future does not give rise to contempt for the past”.

Structure: Conclusion. TipsStructure: Conclusion. Tips

Finish with a quotation.Finish with a quotation. Ask a rhetorical question.Ask a rhetorical question. Give the reader something to Give the reader something to

consider.consider.Perhaps then people will rediscover what it is like to actually communicate with each other.

Structure. A final outlineStructure. A final outline Introduction.Introduction.

– Paragraph 1Paragraph 1. Topic and your opinion is clearly . Topic and your opinion is clearly stated.stated.

Main Body.Main Body.– Paragraph 2Paragraph 2. Viewpoint 1 and reason / example.. Viewpoint 1 and reason / example.– Paragraph 3Paragraph 3. Viewpoint 2 and reason / example.. Viewpoint 2 and reason / example.– Paragraph 4Paragraph 4. Viewpoint 3 and reason / example.. Viewpoint 3 and reason / example.– ……– Paragraph 5Paragraph 5. Opposing viewpoint and reason / . Opposing viewpoint and reason /

example.example. Conclusion.Conclusion.

– Paragraph 6.Paragraph 6. Summarise / restate your opinion Summarise / restate your opinion with different words.with different words.

Structure. Exercise #1Structure. Exercise #1

1.1. Read an extract from an opinion essay Read an extract from an opinion essay and answer the following questions:and answer the following questions:

On the other hand, there are certain disadvantages to having your own car. Firstly, cars have to be maintained and repaired on a regular basis. Therefore, you need to spend a considerable amount of money to keep the car in good condition. Moreover, driving can sometimes be extremely stressful. For example, being caught in a traffic jam is not only irritating but also time-consuming.

a. What is the main idea of the paragraph?

b. Which sentence is in it?

c. What supporting sentences does the writer give?


2.2. Read the main body of the opinion Read the main body of the opinion essay on the topic: essay on the topic: “State benefits should “State benefits should be available to all”be available to all”. Then, discuss with . Then, discuss with your partner the most suitable your partner the most suitable beginning and ending.beginning and ending.


3.3. Read the opinion essay on the Read the opinion essay on the topic: topic: “Although the position of women in “Although the position of women in society today has improved, there is still a great society today has improved, there is still a great deal of sexual discrimination”deal of sexual discrimination”. Then, . Then, complete the paragraph plan on the complete the paragraph plan on the right, identifying the main topic of right, identifying the main topic of each paragraph.each paragraph.

Do’s and Don’tsDo’s and Don’ts

Formal style.Formal style. Topic is clearly stated in the Topic is clearly stated in the

Introduction.Introduction. Clear topic sentences.Clear topic sentences. Well-developed paragraphs.Well-developed paragraphs. Linking words and phrases.Linking words and phrases. Generalization.Generalization. Quotation.Quotation. Examples.Examples.

Do’s and Don’tsDo’s and Don’ts

Informal style: colloquial expressions and Informal style: colloquial expressions and short forms.short forms.

Topic is not clearly stated in the Topic is not clearly stated in the Introduction.Introduction.

Unclear / irrelevant topic sentences.Unclear / irrelevant topic sentences. Emotive vocabulary.Emotive vocabulary. Over-generalizations.Over-generalizations. Blind use of statistics.Blind use of statistics. Personal examples.Personal examples. Use of clichéd expressions.Use of clichéd expressions.

Formal StyleFormal Style

Passive voice and impersonal Passive voice and impersonal constructions.constructions.

–It is argued that…; It is a common It is argued that…; It is a common belief that…belief that…

Advanced vocabulary.Advanced vocabulary.–… … heated debate concerning the heated debate concerning the controversial issue…controversial issue…– Anyone seen in class!Anyone seen in class!

Formal linking words or phrases.Formal linking words or phrases.–Furthermore; However; Nonetheless…Furthermore; However; Nonetheless…

Complex sentences with a variety of Complex sentences with a variety of links, dependent clauses, etc.links, dependent clauses, etc.

–Although it is widely accepted that Although it is widely accepted that compulsory military service, which compulsory military service, which provide an army with abundant provide an army with abundant manpower, is beneficial to a country’s manpower, is beneficial to a country’s ability to defend itself, closer analysis ability to defend itself, closer analysis of military efficiency suggests that it is of military efficiency suggests that it is advanced weaponry which plays a advanced weaponry which plays a crucial role in…crucial role in…

Inversion, especially in conditionals.Inversion, especially in conditionals.–Were this true, we would…Were this true, we would…–Never has this been more obvious…Never has this been more obvious…

Short forms except when these are Short forms except when these are part of a quotation.part of a quotation.

–I’m…; It’s…I’m…; It’s… Colloquial expressions, phrasal Colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs and idioms.verbs and idioms.

–lots of; put up with; be over the lots of; put up with; be over the moon about…moon about…

Simplistic vocabulary.Simplistic vocabulary.–Experts Experts saysay they they thinkthink this is this is badbad..

A series of short sentences.A series of short sentences.–Many people think so. They are Many people think so. They are wrong.wrong.

Simple linking words except for Simple linking words except for variety.variety.

–and; but; so.and; but; so. Personal examples.Personal examples.

–That happened to me once. I was…That happened to me once. I was…

Do’s and Don’ts. Exercise Do’s and Don’ts. Exercise #4#4

1.1. Read the two opinion essays on the Read the two opinion essays on the topic: topic: “The mass media have an adverse effect “The mass media have an adverse effect on moral standards”on moral standards”. Spot the Do’s and . Spot the Do’s and the Don’ts.the Don’ts.

Useful languageUseful language To my mind / To my way of thinking…To my mind / To my way of thinking… It is my (firm) belief / opinion / view / conviction (that)…It is my (firm) belief / opinion / view / conviction (that)… In my opinion / view…In my opinion / view… I (firmly / strongly) believe…I (firmly / strongly) believe… I am (not) convinced that…I am (not) convinced that… I (do not) agree that / with…; I (completely) agree that / with…; I I (do not) agree that / with…; I (completely) agree that / with…; I

(strongly) disagree that / with…(strongly) disagree that / with… It strikes me that…It strikes me that… My opinion is that…My opinion is that… I (definitely) feel / think that…I (definitely) feel / think that… I am inclined to believe that…I am inclined to believe that… It seems / appears to me (that)…It seems / appears to me (that)… As far as I am concerned, …As far as I am concerned, … The way I see it, …The way I see it, … I am (totally) against…I am (totally) against… I couldn’t (dis)agree more that / with…I couldn’t (dis)agree more that / with…

Useful language. Exercise Useful language. Exercise #5#5

1.1. Complete the table with the following expressions.Complete the table with the following expressions.

In the first place, also, for example, to sum up, moreover, firstly, In the first place, also, for example, to sum up, moreover, firstly, although, to begin with, all things considered, such as, therefore, although, to begin with, all things considered, such as, therefore, on the other hand, however, apart form this, in other words, in on the other hand, however, apart form this, in other words, in particular, for instance, in addition, because, taking everything particular, for instance, in addition, because, taking everything into account, furthermore, for one thing, since, lastly, secondly, into account, furthermore, for one thing, since, lastly, secondly, nonetheless, while.nonetheless, while.

To list pointsTo list points To add more To add more pointspoints

To introduce To introduce opposing opposing

viewpointsviewpoints

To introduce To introduce examples / examples /

reasonsreasonsTo concludeTo conclude


To list pointsTo list points To add more To add more pointspoints

To introduce To introduce opposing opposing

viewpointsviewpoints

To introduce To introduce examples / examples /

reasonsreasonsTo concludeTo conclude

In the first In the first place.place.Firstly.Firstly.To begin To begin with.with.For one For one thing.thing.Lastly.Lastly.Secondly.Secondly.

Also.Also.Moreover.Moreover.Apart from Apart from this.this.In addition.In addition.Furthermore.Furthermore.

Although.Although.On the other On the other hand.hand.However.However.Nonetheless.Nonetheless.While.While.

For example.For example.Such as.Such as.In other In other words.words.In particular.In particular.For instance.For instance.Because.Because.Since.Since.

To sum up.To sum up.All things All things considered.considered.Therefore.Therefore.Taking Taking everything everything into account.into account.


2.2. Read the following sentences as some Read the following sentences as some students wrote them. Use the appropriate students wrote them. Use the appropriate words or expressions to give your opinion words or expressions to give your opinion as in the example below.as in the example below.

a.a. A part-time job is the best option for someone A part-time job is the best option for someone who is a working parent.who is a working parent.

I completely agree that a part-time job is the I completely agree that a part-time job is the best option for someone who is a working best option for someone who is a working parent.parent.


b.b. Package holidays are ideal for people Package holidays are ideal for people who do not like to travel alone.who do not like to travel alone.

c.c. Becoming more aware of environmental Becoming more aware of environmental concerns is the only way to help save our concerns is the only way to help save our planet.planet.

d.d. Educational standards in private schools Educational standards in private schools are usually higher than those in state are usually higher than those in state schools.schools.

e.e. Boxing is an extremely violent sport and Boxing is an extremely violent sport and should be banned.should be banned.

Writing StrategyWriting Strategy

Planning your writing in advance will Planning your writing in advance will helphelp

you organise your ideas in the most you organise your ideas in the most logicallogical

way and save you time in the exam:way and save you time in the exam:

A.A. Brainstorming of ideas.Brainstorming of ideas.

B.B. Paragraph structure.Paragraph structure.

C.C. Useful language.Useful language.

BrainstormingBrainstorming

Decide whether you agree or disagree Decide whether you agree or disagree with the subject of the topic.with the subject of the topic.

Make a list of your viewpoints and Make a list of your viewpoints and reasons.reasons.

Write down words, expression or Write down words, expression or useful language that will help you useful language that will help you develop your ideas or intensify the develop your ideas or intensify the meaning.meaning.

Paragraph PlanningParagraph Planning

1.1. One paragraph for the introduction.One paragraph for the introduction.

2.2. Several paragraphs for the main body. Several paragraphs for the main body. As many as viewpoints.As many as viewpoints.

3.3. One paragraph to justify with the other One paragraph to justify with the other point of view is inconvincible.point of view is inconvincible.

4.4. A conclusion that connects with the A conclusion that connects with the introduction.introduction.

DrillingDrilling““Fast food is a good alternative to cooking for yourself”Fast food is a good alternative to cooking for yourself”

1. What does the statement mean?

2. Do I agree with the topic?

3. What is my position about it?

3. What are my viewpoints?






Fast food expensive for consumer

Fast food expensive for environment

Conditions of workers in fast food restaurants

Fast food is unhealthy






4. What reasons or examples can I give?

Money spent on fast food for a week is enough to buy groceries for 2 weeks.Packaging non-biodegradable, damages environment.High in fat and salt; not fresh.Many ingredients are genetically modified.People work long hours to pick up the phone and order takeout.






4. What reasons or examples can I give?

5. How do I organize all this into paragraphs?

6. What are my topic sentences for each paragraph?

7. How do I connect the introduction with the conclusion?

8. What language am I expected to use?

9. How much time do I have left?

10.Once written, did I check on the structure, the ideas, the grammar and the language?

Two other Opinion essaysTwo other Opinion essays

Opinion EssaysOpinion Essays

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Opinion Essays