OPINION  ESSAYS                                      

                                                         

   

Paragraph 3·

•••••••••••••••••

Paragraph 2•••••••••••••••••MaIn Body

Paragraph 1

Introduction

introduce the subject andstate your opinion clearly

first viewpointand reasons/examples

Reasonspeoplewould learn to have healthierlifestyles, so fewer people would beill

2 everyonedeserves free medicaltreatment when theyare ill

3 more moneycould be spent ontreating those who really need it

Opinion Essoys

C more time and moneyshould be 0spent on health education

Opinion essays are discursive essays in which you present yourpersonal opinion on aparticular topic.Your opinion must be stated clearlyand supported byjustifications. Youshould also present the opposing viewpoint(s) ina separate paragraph.Anopinion essay should consist of:a) an introduction. inwhichyou introduce thesubject and stateyouropinion clearly;b) a main body, consisting of two ormore paragraphs (eachpresentingaseparate

viewpoint supported byreasons/examples), includingaparagraph giving the opposingviewpoint supported by reasons/examples; and

c) a conclusion, inwhichyou restate your opinion using different words.• You normally use present tensesinthistype ofWriting,andphrases such asI believe ,

Inmy opinion, I think, It seems tome that, I stronglydisagree wfth,etc toexpress youropinion. You should list yourviewpointswithFirstly, Furthermore,Moreover, Also, etc,and introduce the opposing viewpoint using However,On theotherhand,etc.

• Opinion essays are normally written in a formal style, therefore you should avoidusing colloquial expressions,short forms orpersonal examples.Youcan find thistypeofwriting inthe form ofan article innewspapers, magazines, etc.

A free healthcare is a basic human DB ••••

pay for their treatment

sm 1 Listen to a discussion about free healthcare and match the viewpoints with thereasons.Then, saywhich points JOu agreewithandwhichones JOu disagreewith.

[ Viewpoints

UNIl140

oooooo88

2 Read the rubricand underline the keywords, then answer the questions.

Youhave had aclass discussion about the following statement:English and Maths aremore important subjects than Artand Music.

Nowyour teacher has asked you towritean essay giving youropinion and reasons tosupport your view(s).

1 Who is going to read your essay?2 Should you usccolloquial expressionsand short forms?Why(not)?3 What does the statement in the rubricmean?Tick (I )A Art and Music are easier than EnglishandMaths.B Art and Music are notas important as EnglishandMaths.

4 Whichof the following should you include inyour essay? Tick{I }A reasonswhyArt andMusic can be boringB your views aboutwhether EnglishandMathsarc importantC reasons or examples to support yourviewsD opposing views and supporting arguments

second viewpointand reasons/examples

Paragraph 4·

opposing viewpointand reasons/examples

Conclusion•••••••••••••••••Final Paragraph

restate your opinion, usingdifferent words

• The rvrrber of parCX}faphsin II'e rooin body depeOOson the rwJber of view-points included.

Paragraph 3·

•••••••••••••••••

Paragraph 2•••••••••••••••••MaIn Body

Paragraph 1

Introduction

introduce the subject andstate your opinion clearly

first viewpointand reasons/examples

Reasonspeoplewould learn to have healthierlifestyles, so fewer people would beill

2 everyonedeserves free medicaltreatment when theyare ill

3 more moneycould be spent ontreating those who really need it

Opinion Essoys

C more time and moneyshould be 0spent on health education

Opinion essays are discursive essays in which you present yourpersonal opinion on aparticular topic.Your opinion must be stated clearlyand supported byjustifications. Youshould also present the opposing viewpoint(s) ina separate paragraph.Anopinion essay should consist of:a) an introduction. inwhichyou introduce thesubject and stateyouropinion clearly;b) a main body, consisting of two ormore paragraphs (eachpresentingaseparate

viewpoint supported byreasons/examples), includingaparagraph giving the opposingviewpoint supported by reasons/examples; and

c) a conclusion, inwhichyou restate your opinion using different words.• You normally use present tensesinthistype ofWriting,andphrases such asI believe ,

Inmy opinion, I think, It seems tome that, I stronglydisagree wfth,etc toexpress youropinion. You should list yourviewpointswithFirstly, Furthermore,Moreover, Also, etc,and introduce the opposing viewpoint using However,On theotherhand,etc.

• Opinion essays are normally written in a formal style, therefore you should avoidusing colloquial expressions,short forms orpersonal examples.Youcan find thistypeofwriting inthe form ofan article innewspapers, magazines, etc.

A free healthcare is a basic human DB ••••

pay for their treatment

sm 1 Listen to a discussion about free healthcare and match the viewpoints with thereasons.Then, saywhich points JOu agreewithandwhichones JOu disagreewith.

[ Viewpoints

UNIl140

oooooo88

2 Read the rubricand underline the keywords, then answer the questions.

Youhave had aclass discussion about the following statement:English and Maths aremore important subjects than Artand Music.

Nowyour teacher has asked you towritean essay giving youropinion and reasons tosupport your view(s).

1 Who is going to read your essay?2 Should you usccolloquial expressionsand short forms?Why(not)?3 What does the statement in the rubricmean?Tick (I )A Art and Music are easier than EnglishandMaths.B Art and Music are notas important as EnglishandMaths.

4 Whichof the following should you include inyour essay? Tick{I }A reasonswhyArt andMusic can be boringB your views aboutwhether EnglishandMathsarc importantC reasons or examples to support yourviewsD opposing views and supporting arguments

second viewpointand reasons/examples

Paragraph 4·

opposing viewpointand reasons/examples

Conclusion•••••••••••••••••Final Paragraph

restate your opinion, usingdifferent words

• The rvrrber of parCX}faphsin II'e rooin body depeOOson the rwJber of view-points included.

     

     

Unll140 Opinion (sSOYS I

English and Malhs are more importanl sUbjects than Art and Music

Do you agree or disagree with thestatement in the rubric? Give reasons.

3 a) Read theessay and label theparagraphswith theheadings below.• second viewpoint & examples • subject & opinion• restate opinion • opposing viewpointts}• firs! viewpoint& examples

.. Which of the four subjects mentioned in the rubric do/did you study atschool?Which is/wasyour favourite, and why?

6 What are the benefits of studying these subjects? Use the notes tocomplete the table. Youcan add further ideas ofyour own.tools todeal with everydaymatters provide well-rounded educationhelp you communicate clearly necessary in order tofind ajob

I" ... 0> t-"t:".; 1Znr. tr r ( ;r111::151e

,x

89

"I'''11\"Wi"i ,I,'

b) Read the essay again and underlinethe viewpoints the writer mentions.What reasons/examples are glvento support each viewpoint? whatlinking words! phrases are used tointroduce thewriter's viewpoints andthe opposing viewpoint? what is thewriter's opinion? Do you agree ordisagreewith this opinion?

Para 2

Para 3

Para 1

Para 4

Para 5

Isn't it unfortunate that in today's society there are so=: many people who cannot read, write or even do

arithmetic? [ strongly believe that, al though subjects suchasArtandMusic are important, Englishand Mathsare themost fundamental part of our education.In the first place, when you know how to read, write

and dosimple calculations, you have the tools requ ired inorder to deal with everyday matters. For example, beingable to read and write can help you communicate andexpress yourself dearly. Moreover, you need basic mathsfor such dai lychores as doing your shopping, paying yourbills and managing your money.Furthermore, it is essential tohave agood knowledge of

English and Maths in order to find even the simplest job.Reading, writing and mathematical skills are the mi nimumrequirements that most employers demand.On the other hand, it can be argued that Art andMusic

are just as significant as English and Maths. For instance,learning howto drawor play an instrument can introducea child to a whole new world. In addition to this, subjectssuch as Art and Music can provide children with a well-rounded education rather than just basic skills.All things considered, though, it seems to me that

::g English and Maths are vital subjects. Without learning tog read, write or do arithmetic, people may have difficultiescs coping with even the simplest tasks in dai ly life.

     

       

Unil14n Opinion Essoys

4 Usc the linking words/phrases from the list below to fill in the tablethat follows, as in the example.

in the first place, a/so, forexample, tosum up, moreover, firstly, although,10 begin with, all things considered, such as, therefore, on theotherhand,however, apart from this, in other words, in panicuiar; for instance, inaddition, because, taking everything into account, furthennore, for onething. since, lastly, secondly, nonetheless, while

B 1) All in all, I don 't believe thattheatre is an outdated form ofentertainment, 2) since new ideasare often presented on the stage.3) While television may be moreconvenient, it is theatre that offersqualityentertainment.

To Jist points:

2 To add more points:

in the first place, .

90

3 To introduce opposingviewpoints:

4 To introduceexamples/reasons:

5 To conclude:

5 Read the extracts and replace the linkingwords/phrases with suitableones fromEx. 4. whlch paragraph is each extract from?

A 1) On the other hand, computerssave us time and energy and make

daily lives easier. 2) For onethmg,most of us are grateful to beable t.o withdraw money from cashmachines rather than wait in longqueues inside the bank. 3) What ismore, have made many

s Jobs easier by doingro.utme tasks that in the pas! weretiring and time-consuming.

6 Underline the correct wordphrase, as in the example.

1 It is argued/One reason that testingnew drugs on animals is necessarybefore giving them to humans.

2 In my view, we can alldo somethingto protect the environment. f orexample/In addition, we can recyclenewspapers andmagazines.

3 Taking holidays abroad is usually00more expensive than taking them inyour own country. What is moreHowever, it gives you the opportu-nity to experience other cultures.

4 Secondly/Especially, regular exercisehelps you to stay ingood health.

5 On the other hand, it can be arguedthat what individuals do to protectthe environment makes very littledifference, in particular/since it isfactories and power stations whichcreate the most pollution.

Eachmain body paragraph shou ldstart withatopic sentence whichclearlystates the main ideaof the paragraph.This should befollowedbyappropriatesupporting sentences which justifythemain idea and/orgive examples.

     

     

Unil 140Opinion[ssoys

Useful expressions for gh'ingopinions7 Read the extract below andanswer the fo llowing questions.

• I believe/think/feel (that) ".I strongly believe n,

• In my opinion/view, '"• Theway I see it, ...• It seems/appears tome (that) .• To my mind, n.• I (do not) agree thatjwitb .

• Myopinion is that .• As faras I am concerned, .,.• I (completely) agree that;......ith ..I (strongly) disagree tharwith ..

• I am totallyagainst ..• I couldn't agree more that/with ...I couldn't disagree more that/with ,..

On the other hand, thereare certaindisadvantages to havingyour own car.Firstly. carshave to be maintained andrepaired on a regular basis. Therefore,you need to spend a considerableamount of money to keep the car ingood condition. Moreover, drivingcansometimes be extremelystressful. Forexample, being caught in a traffic jamis not only irritating but also time-consummg.

a) What isthemain idea ofthe para-graph?Which sentence is it in?

b) What supporting sentences does .the writer give?

c) Which linking words/phrases hasthe writer used? Suggest othersuitable words/phrases whichcould replace these.

8 Read the topic sentences andsuggest suitable supportingones.

1 Television may have a harmfuleffect on youngpeople.

2 Looking after a pet from an earlyage develops a person's character.

3 Life ina large city isveryinteresting.

9 Use the prompts below to write sentences, as in the example.

1 we / help I elderly their lives be easiere.g 1strongly believe that we should help the elderly, If we wen' to do

this, then their lives would be easier.2 all students/ learn / foreign language have bettercareeropportunities

3 people / give up smoking have fewer health problems

... teenagers / get I part-time job learn to be more responsible

5 we / alldo/ voluntary work 0::::::::;.ourcommunity be a betterplace to live

10 Use appropriate expressions to expand the prompts below to makesentences expressing an opinion, as in the example.

in order to / protect / environment / people / stop use / plastic bagsIt seems to me that, in order to protect the environment. people should stopusingplastic bags.

2 spendingmoney / set up / space stations/ be / completely I unjustified

3 in order to reduce / pollution I traffic / be / ban from / enter / city centre

... organic vegetables / be / much / healthy / than / vegetables / grown withchemical fertilizers

5 children / be encouraged / participate in I after-school activities

     

   

 

Unil 14nOpinion[ssors

13 Read the extracts below and saywhich are beginnings andwhich areendings. Which writing techniques have been used in each'!A addressing the readerdirectlyB asking a rhetorical questionC using direct speech/a quotation

-...-----

Viewpoints

A fast food easy solutionfor peoplewith busylives

B fast food unhealthyC fast food expensivefor consumerandenvironment

DODO

DO

! To sum up, competition has a negat ive effect on children, as the only:=J thing that really matters is winning. Imagine howyou would feel if youwere always expected to be the best.

14 Read the rubric and underline the keywords, then answerthe questions.You have had a class discussion about the following statement:

Fast food isa good alternative to cooking foryourself.Now yourteacherhas asked you towriteanessay expressing your opinionand giving reasonsforyour point ofview.

1 What does the statement in the rubric mean?A Fast food is cheap, delicious and good foryou.8 Fast food is a goodsolutionfor those who have no time to cook.e Cooking is easier thanordering takeaway.

2 Which points must you include in the essay?A your opinion 8 your friend's opinione reasons to justify your points of view

3 Which style is notsuitable for this essay - formal or informal?

15 a) Read the rubric in Ex, 14again and match theviewpoints (A -C)to their reasons/examples (l . 6). There are two justifications foreach viewpoint.

Reasons I ExamplesI high in fat and salt; not fresh2 packaging non-biodegradable,damages environment

3 many ingredients are geneticallymodified

4 ordering fast food saves time andenergy

5 people who work long hours canpick up phone andorder takeaway

6 money spent on fast food for aweek isenough to buy groceries fortwo weeks

b) Which of the viewpointsagree with the statement inthe rubric? Which disagree?

c) Use the notes in part a) totalk about fast food, as inIhe example.

e.g. In the first place, fast food is l'CIyunhealthy. "

16 Read the rubric inEx. again,thenwrite your essay (120 - 180words). Use your answers fromEx. 14and your notes from h .IS to help you. You can use theeSS3)' in Ex. 3 as a model.

     

  KEY    3.  a.                        b.                                                              4                          

     

5              6                    7                                  8                              9                      

     

10                              13              14                          15              16