Opinion Essays

Remember: Practice Makes Perfect!

Week five
Part one

Kochar Saeed 16-08-2020

What is an Opinion Essay?
Opinion essays are discursive essays in which you
present your personal opinion on a particular topic.

Your opinion must be stated clearly and supported

by justifications. You should also present the
opposing viewpoints in a separate paragraph.
Structure of an Opinion Essay
An opinion essay should consist of:
Introduction
Introduction
Introduces
Introduces the
the subject
subject and
and states
states your
your opinion
opinion clearly.
clearly.

Main
Main Body
Body
Consists
 Consists ofof two
two or
or more
more paragraphs.
paragraphs. Each
Each viewpoint
viewpoint supported
supported
by
by aa logical
logical reasons,
reasons, should
should be
be presented
presented inin aa separate
separate
paragraph.
paragraph.
The
 The opposing
opposing viewpoint
viewpoint isis mentioned
mentioned inin aa new
new paragraph.
paragraph.

Conclusion
Conclusion
Sums
Sums upup your
your viewpoint
viewpoint and
and restates
restates the
the opinion
opinion using
using different
different
words.
words.
 Expressing Opinion Formats

Format I Format II

 State your opinion.  Present the issue.

 Present a supporting  Give arguments
argument. for.
 Present another  Give arguments
supporting argument. against.
 Summarize your  State your opinion
opinion. in the conclusion.
 Points to Remember
Never start writing your composition before making
a plan.

Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence

which summarizes the paragraph.

Each viewpoint should be joined to the others

with linking or sequence words.
 Points to Remember
Use a formal tone for your essay – avoid slang,
casual language, jargon or vague comments.

Improve the coherence and unity of your essay

through using connectors between sentences
and paragraphs.

Remember to use a consistent verb tense.

Give your essay a catchy title. Writing your title

last will allow you to pick the most interesting aspect
of your essay for use as a title.
 Useful Expressions: Stating Opinion
It
It seems
seems to to me
me that
that ...
...
In
In my
my opinion,
opinion, ...... It
It isis claimed
claimed that
that ...
...
II am
am ofof the
the opinion
opinion II must
must admit
admit that
that ...
...
that
that .../
.../ II take
take thethe view
view II cannot
cannot deny
deny that
that ...
...
that
that .... II can
can imagine
imagine that
that ...
...
My
My personal
personal viewview isis that
that ...
... II think/believe/suppose
think/believe/suppose ... ...
In
In my
my experience
experience ... ... Personally,
Personally, II think
think ...
...
As
As far
far asas II understand
understand // That
That isis why
why II think
think ...
...
can
can see,
see, ...... II am
am sure/certain/convinced
sure/certain/convinced
As
As II see
see it,
it, ...
... // From
From my my that
that ......
point
point ofof view
view ...
... II am
am notnot sure/certain,
sure/certain,
As
As far
far asas II know
know ...... // From
From but
but ......
what
what II know
know ...... II am
am notnot sure,
sure, because
because II
II might
might bebe wrong
wrong butbut ...
... don't
don't knowknow the
the situation
situation
If
If II am
am not
not mistaken
mistaken ... ... exactly.
exactly.
II believe
believe oneone can
can (safely)
(safely) II am
am notnot convinced
convinced that
that ...
...
say
say ...
...
 Useful Expressions

Outlining
Outlining Facts
Facts Agreement
Agreement

The There
There are
are many
many reasons
reasons for
for
The fact
fact isis that
that
The ...
...
The (main)
(main) point
point isis that
that ......
This There
There isis no
no doubt
doubt about
about itit
This proves
proves that
that ...
...
What that
that ...
...
What itit comes
comes down
down to to isis
that II simply
simply must
must agree
agree with
with
that ......
It that.
that.
It isis obvious
obvious that
that ...
...
It II am
am of
of the
the same
same opinion.
opinion.
It isis certain
certain that
that ...
...
One II am
am of
of the
the same
same opinion
opinion as
as
One can can say
say that
that ...
...
It the
the author.
author.
It isis clear
clear that
that ...
...
There II completely/absolutely
completely/absolutely
There isis nono doubt
doubt that
that ...
...
agree
agree with
with the
the author.
author.
 Useful Expressions

Qualified Disagreement
Disagreement
Qualified Disagreement
Disagreement
There
There isis moremore toto itit than
than that.
that.
It
It isis only
only partly
partly true
true The
The problem
problem isis thatthat ... ...
that...
that... II (very
(very much)
much) doubt
doubt whether
whether
II can
can agree
agree with
with that
that only
only This
This isis inin complete
complete
with
with reservations.
reservations. contradiction
contradiction to to ...
...
That What
What isis eveneven worse,
worse, ...
That seems
seems obvious,
obvious, but
but ...... ...
That II am
am ofof aa different
different opinion
That isis not
not necessarily
necessarily so. so. because
opinion
It
It isis not
not as
as simple
simple as
as itit because ... ...
II cannot
cannot shareshare this
this // that
that //
seems.
seems. the
the view.
view.
Under
Under certain
certain circumstances
circumstances II cannot
cannot agreeagree with
with thisthis idea.
idea.
...
... What
What II object
object to to isis ...
...
Unlike
Unlike thethe author
author II think
think ...
...
 Useful Expressions: Linking Arguments
First
First of
of all,
all, II think
think ...
...
Not
Not only
only that,
that, butbut II also
also think
think On
On thethe one
one hand,
hand, ...
... On On the
the
that
that ...
... other
other hand,
hand, ......
Not
Not only
only are
are they
they ...,
..., they
they In
In contrast
contrast to to this
this isis ...
...
are
are also
also ...
... Because
Because of of ...
...
They
They are
are not
not ...,
..., nor
nor are
are they
they That
That isis why
why ......
...
... After
After all,all, ...
...
There
There are
are The
The reason
reason isis that
that ......
various/several/many
various/several/many reasons reasons In
In that
that respect
respect ... ...
for
for this.
this. The
The result
result ofof this
this isis that
that ...
...
First,
First, ...
... // Firstly,
Firstly, ...... Another
Another aspect/point
aspect/point isis that that ......
Second,
Second, ...... // Secondly,
Secondly, ... ... It
It isis because
because ... ...
Moreover,
Moreover, ... ... // Although
Although itit isis true
true that
that ...
... itit
Furthermore,
Furthermore, ... ... // In
In addition,
addition, would
would be be wrong
wrong to to claim
claim that
that ... ...
...
... That
That may may sometimes
sometimes be be true,
true,
Another
Another significant
significant point
point isis but
but ......
that
that ...
... One
One could
could argue
argue that
that ...,
...,
Finally,
Finally, ...
... but
but ......
 Useful Expressions

Providing Additions
Additions and
and Conclusions
Providing Examples
Examples Most
Conclusions
Most probably
probably ... ...
It
It appears
appears to to be
be ......
It
It isis important
important to to mention
mention
Take
Take for
for example
example (the
(the case
case of)
of) that...
that...
...
... As
As II already
already indicated
indicated ... ...
Look
Look at
at ...
... In
In other
other words,
words, ... ...
For
For instance
instance ...
... // For
For II am
am mostmost concerned
concerned about about ...
...
example
example ...... II should
should like like toto repeat
repeat once
once
Let
Let me
me give
give you
you anan example.
example. again
again thatthat ... ...
II should
should like like toto emphasise
emphasise that that
II would
would (just)
(just) like
like toto add
add ...
...
So
So allall inin all
all II believe
believe that...
that...
(In)
(In) summing
summing up up itit can
can be
be said
said
that
that ... ...
Weighing
Weighing the the pros
pros andand cons,
cons, II
come
come to to the
the conclusion
conclusion thatthat ...
...
 Let’s Practice!
Use the linking words/phrases from the list below to fill in the table
that follows, as in the example.

ininthe
thefirst
firstplace,
place,also,
also,for
forexample,
example,totosum
sumup,
up,moreover,
moreover,firstly,
firstly,although,
although,to
tobegin
begin
with, all things considered, such as, therefore, on the other hand, however,
with, all things considered, such as, therefore, on the other hand, however, apart apart
from
fromthis,
this,ininother
otherwords,
words,ininparticular,
particular,for
forinstance,
instance,ininaddition,
addition,because,
because,taking
taking
everything
everything into account, furthermore, since, lastly, secondly, nevertheless,while
into account, furthermore, since, lastly, secondly, nevertheless, while

1. To list points:

2. To add more points:

3. To introduce
opposing viewpoints:
4. To introduce
examples / reasons:

5. To conclude:
 Let’s Practice!

Underline the correct word / phrase, as in the example.

1. It is argued / One reason that testing new drugs on animals is

necessary before giving them to humans.
2. In my view, we can all do something to protect the environment. For
example / In addition, we can recycle newspapers and magazines.
3. Taking holidays abroad is usually no more expensive that taking them in
your own country. What is more, / However, it gives you the
opportunity to experience other cultures.
4. Secondly / Especially, regular exercise helps you stay in good health.
5. 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.
 Let’s Practice!
Read the following model about recycling and fill in the topic sentences given below.

a). Many people argue that the actual process of collecting and recycling materials is
expensive and unnecessary.

b). To start with, it is very important for people to realize the damage that our
rubbish is doing to the environment.

c). Another important reason is that many forests are being destroyed due to the
paper being wasted.

Recycling – How Important Is It Really?

Saving certain recyclable materials and taking them to recycling centers has become part of the daily routine in
many homes. In my opinion, this should be encouraged for a number of reasons.
Our towns, rivers and seas are becoming more and more polluted with household waste. This could
easily be prevented if people took the time to sort, save and recycle their rubbish.
Hundreds of thousands of trees are unnecessarily cut down to make paper products. Again by recycling
the paper that we would otherwise throw away we could reduce this wastage.
They say that special machinery is required and that many people have to be employed to operate it,
thus making recycling more expensive that simple waste disposal. They forget, however, that recycling both
creates jobs and beneficial to the environment.
All points considered, I strongly believe that people should be made aware of the benefits recycling can bring,
and should be encouraged to participate in programs that will help create a cleaner world for everyone in the
future.
 Let’s Practice!
Read the topic sentences and suggest suitable supporting
details.

Television may have a harmful effect on young people.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Looking after the pet from an early age develops a person’s character.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Life in a large city is very interesting.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
 Let’s Practice!
Read
Read the
the paragraphs
paragraphs and
and arrange
arrange them
them inin the
the correct
correct order.
order. Then
Then label
label the
the
paragraphs with the headings below.
paragraphs with the headings below.
second
secondviewpoint
viewpoint 5 first
firstviewpoint
viewpoint subject
subjectandand opposing
opposing
33 and 5 restate
restateopinion
opinion 22 11 44
andexamples
examples and
andexamples
examples opinion
opinion viewpoints
viewpoints

English and Maths Are More Important Subjects Than Art and Music
Furthermore,
Furthermore, itit isis essential
essential to
to have
have aagood
good knowledge
knowledge of
of English
English and
and Maths
Maths inin order
order to
to
find even the simplest job. Reading, writing and mathematical skills are
find even the simplest job. Reading, writing and mathematical skills are the minimumthe minimum
requirements
requirements that
that mostmost employers
employers demand.
demand.
On
On the
theoneone hand,
hand, itit can
can be
be argued
argued that
that Art
Art and
and Music
Music are
are just
just as
as significant
significant asas English
English
and
and Maths. For instance, learning how to draw or play an instrument can introduceaa
Maths. For instance, learning how to draw or play an instrument can introduce
child
child to
to aa whole
whole new
new world.
world. InIn addition
addition to
to this,
this,subjects
subjects such
such as
as Art
Art and
and Music
Music can
can
provide children with a well-rounded education rather than just
provide children with a well-rounded education rather than just basic skills. basic skills.

All
All things
things considered,
considered, though,
though, ititseems
seems to
to me
me that
thatEnglish
English and
and Maths
Maths are
are vital
vital subjects.
subjects.
Without
Without learning to read, write or do arithmetic, people may have difficulties coping with
learning to read, write or do arithmetic, people may have difficulties coping with
even the simplest tasks in daily life.
even the simplest tasks in daily life.
In
In the
the first
first place,
place, when
when you
you know
know how
howtoto read,
read, write
write and
and do
do simple
simplecalculations,
calculations, you
you
have
have the tools required in order to deal with everyday matters. For example, being able
the tools required in order to deal with everyday matters. For example, being able
to
to read and write can help you communicate and express yourself clearly. Moreover, you
read and write can help you communicate and express yourself clearly. Moreover, you
need basic maths for such daily chores as doing your shopping, paying your
need basic maths for such daily chores as doing your shopping, paying your bills and bills and
managing
managing your
your money.
money.
Isn’t
Isn’titit unfortunate
unfortunate that
thatinin today’s
today’s society
society there
thereare
areso
so many
many people
people who
who cannot
cannotread,
read,
write
write or even do arithmetic. I strongly believe that, although subjects such as Artand
or even do arithmetic. I strongly believe that, although subjects such as Art and
Music are important, English and Maths are the most fundamental part of our
Music are important, English and Maths are the most fundamental part of our education. education.
 Let’s Practice!

Now it’s your turn to express your opinion.

Your
Your school
school has
has asked
asked thethereaders
readers to
to write
write on
on the
thefollowing
following topic:
topic:
Many
Many famous people complain that the media does not respect their
famous people complain that the media does not respect their privacy.
privacy. Do
Do you
you
think
think their complaint is legitimate, or does the media have the right to report ontheir
their complaint is legitimate, or does the media have the right to report on their
private life?
private life?
Write
Write aa passage
passage to
to the
the newspaper
newspaper stating
stating and
and explaining
explaining your
your opinion.
opinion. (120-140
(120-140 words)
words)

An
An international
international teen
teen magazine
magazine has
has asked
asked readers
readers toto write
writeon
on the
the following
following topic:
topic:
It
It has been suggested that in order to increase road safety, everyone with aa driving
has been suggested that in order to increase road safety, everyone with driving
license
license should be required to take another driving test every five years. Do you agree
should be required to take another driving test every five years. Do you agree or
or
disagree with this suggestion?
disagree with this suggestion?
Write
Write aa passage
passage toto the
the newspaper
newspaper stating
stating and
and explaining
explaining your
your opinion.
opinion. (120-140
(120-140words)
words)

Your
Your school
school newspaper
newspaperhas has asked
asked the
the readers
readers toto write
write on
on the
the following
following topic:
topic:
Many
Many people believe that peer pressure – the influence that classmates and friends
people believe that peer pressure – the influence that classmates and friends have
have
on one another – has negative effects. Do you agree with this view, or do
on one another – has negative effects. Do you agree with this view, or do you think thatyou think that
peer
peer pressure
pressurecan
can also
also be
beaapositive
positive influence?
influence?
Write
Write a passage to the newspaper stating and
a passage to the newspaper stating and explaining
explaining your
your opinion.
opinion. (120-140
(120-140 words)
words)