Opinion essays

OPINION ESSAYSWRITING SCHOOL

An opinion essay should consist of:IntroductionMain bodyConclusion

Introduction……………………………………………

………

Paragraph 1Introduce the subject and state your opinion clearly

Main Body……………………………………………

……… Paragraph 2First viewpoint and reasons/examples Paragraph 3Second viewpoint and reasons/ examples Paragraph 4Opposing viewpoint and

reasons/examples*The number of paragraphs in the main body depends on the number of viewpoints included.

Conclusion……………………………………………

………

Final paragraphRestate your opinion, using

different words

English and Maths are more important subjects than Art and

Music

Read the paragraphs and label them with the headings below:Introduction: subject and opinionMain body: first viewpoint and examplesMain body: second viewpoint and

examplesMain body: opposing viewpoint(s)Conclusion: restate opinion

1 Introduction: subject and opinion

2 Main body: first viewpoint and examples

VIEWPOINT EXAMPLES

3 Main body: second viewpoint and examples

VIEWPOINT EXAMPLES

4 Main body: opposing viewpoint(s)

5 Conclusion: restate opinion

LINKING WORDS/PHRASES

To LIST points

To ADD more points

To introduce OPPOSING viewpoints

To introduce

EXAMPLES/REASONS

To CONCLUDE

LINKING WORDS/PHRASESTo LIST points

To ADD more points


To introduce

EXAMPLES/REASONS

To CONCLUDE

FirstlyTo begin withFor one thingLastlySecondly

LINKING WORDS/PHRASESTo LIST points

To ADD more points


To introduce

EXAMPLES/REASONS

To CONCLUDE


AlsoMoreoverApart from thisIn additionFurthermore


To LIST points

To ADD more points


To introduce

EXAMPLES/REASONS

To CONCLUDE



AlthoughOn the other handHoweverNonethelessWhile


To LIST points

To ADD more points


To introduce

EXAMPLES/REASONS

To CONCLUDE




For exampleSuch asThereforeIn other wordsIn particularFor instanceBecauseSince


To LIST points

To ADD more points


To introduce

EXAMPLES/REASONS

To CONCLUDE




For exampleSuch asThereforeIn other wordsIn particularFor instanceBecauseSince

To sum upAll things consideredTaking everything into account

Underline the correct phrase

It is argued/One reason that testing new drugs on animals is necessary before giving them to humans.


It is argued that testing new drugs on animals is necessary before giving them to humans.


In my view, we can all do something to protect the environment. For example/In addition, we can recycle newspapers and magazines.


In my view, we can all do something to protect the environment. For example, we can recycle newspapers and magazines.


Taking holidays abroad is usually no more expensive than taking them in your own country. What is more/However, it gives you the opportunity to experience other cultures.


Taking holidays abroad is usually no more expensive than taking them in your own country. What is more, it gives you the opportunity to experience other cultures.


Secondly/Especially, regular exercise helps you to stay in good health.


Secondly, regular exercise helps you to stay in good health.


On the other hand, it can be argued that what individuals do to protect the environment makes very little difference, in particular/since it is factories and power stations which create the most pollution.


On the other hand, it can be argued that what individuals do to protect the environment makes very little difference, since it is factories and power stations which create the most pollution.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR GIVING OPINIONS

…………………………………………………....

I believe/think/feel (that)….I strongly believe…

In my opinion/view,… The way I see it,… It seems/appears to me (that)… To my mind,… I (do not) agree that/with…

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR GIVING OPINIONS

…………………………………………………....

My opinion is that… As far as I am concerned,… I (completely) agree that/with…

I (strongly) disagree that/with… I am totally against… I couldn’t agree more that/with…

I couldn’t disagree more that/with…

Each main body paragraph should start with a topic sentence which clearly states the main idea of the paragraph. This should be followed by appropriate supporting sentences which justify the idea and/or give examples.

We/help/elderly their lives be easier

I strongly believe that we should help the elderly. If we were to do this, then their

lives would be easier.

Topic sentence

Supportingsentence

All students/learn/foreign languages have better career opportunities

To my mind, all students should learn a foreign language. If we were to do this,

then they would have better career opportunities

Topic sentence

Supportingsentence

People/give up smoking have fewer health problems

It seems to me that people should give up smoking. If they were to do this, then

they would have fewer health problems.

Topic sentence

Supportingsentence

Teenagers/get/part-time job learn to be more responsible

I couldn’t agree more that teenagers should get a part-time job. If they were to

do this, they would learn to be more responsible.

Topic sentence Supporting

sentence

We/all do/ voluntary work our community be a better place to live

My opinion is that we should all do voluntary work. If we were to do this, our

community would be a better place to live.

Topic sentence

Supportingsentence

Finally,...

You normally use present tenses in this type of writing.

Opinion essays are normally written in a formal style, therefore you should avoid using colloquial expressions, short forms or personal examples.

Education

Opinion essays