UNIl140 Opinion Essoys

sm 1 Listen to a discussion about free healthcare and match the viewpoints with the
reasons.Then, saywhich points JOu agreewith and whichones JOu disagree with.

[ Viewpoints Reasons
A free healthcare is a basic human D people would learn to have healthier
~ght lifestyles, so fewer people would beill
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2 everyone deserves free medical ,• • • •
pay fo r their treatment treatment when they are ill
C more time and money should be 0 3 more money could be spent on
spent on health education treating those who really need it

Opinion essays are discursive essays in which you present your personal opinion on a
particular topic. Your opinion must be stated clearlyand supported byjustifications. You Introduction
should also present the opposing viewpoint(s) in a separate paragraph. • ••••••••••••••••
An opinion essay should consist of: Paragraph 1
a) an introduction. in which you introduce thesubject and stateyour opinion clearly;
b) a main body, consisting of two or more paragraphs (each presenting a separate introduce the subject and
viewpoint supported byreasons/examples), including a paragraph giving the opposing state your opinion clearly
viewpoint supported by reasons/examples; and
c) a conclusion, in which you restate your opinion using different words. MaIn Body
• You normally use present tenses inthis type of Writing, andphrases such asI believe , • ••••••••••••••••
In my opinion, I think, It seems to me that, I stronglydisagree wfth , etc to express your Parag raph 2
opinion. You should list your viewpoints with Firstly, Furthermore, Moreover, Also, etc,
and introduce the opposing viewpoint using However, On the otherhand, etc. first viewpoint
and reasons/examples
• Opinion essays are normally written in a formal style, therefore you should avoid
using colloquial expressions, short forms or personal examples. You can find thistype Paragraph 3·
ofwriting inthe form ofan article in newspapers, magazines, etc.
second viewpoint
and reasons/examples
2 Read the rubric and underline the key words, then answer the questions.
Paragraph 4 ·
You have had a class discussion about the following statement:
English and Maths are more important subjects than Artand Music. opposing viewpoint
Now your teacher has asked you to writean essay giving youropinion and reasons to and reasons/examples
support your view(s).
1 Who is going to read your essay? Conclusion
•••••••••••••••••
2 Should you usc colloquial expressions and short forms? Why (not)? Final Parag raph
3 What does the statement in the rubric mean? Tick (I )
A Art and Music are easier than Englishand Maths. o restate your opinion, using
different words
B Art and Music are not as important as Englishand Maths. o • The rvrrber of parCX}faphs
4 Whichof the following should you include in your essay? Tick {I }
A reasons why Art and Music can be boring o in II'e rooin body depeOOs
on the rwJber of view-
B your views about whether English and Maths arc important o points included.
C reasons or examples to support your views o
88
D opposing views and supporting arguments o
 Unll140 Opinion (sSOYS
,
x
I
.. Which of the fou r subjects mentioned in the rubric do/did you study at Wi"i 11\"
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school? Which is/was your favourite, and why?
6 What are the benefits of studying these subjects? Use the notes to
complete the table. You can add fu rther ideas of your own.
tools to deal with everyday matters provide well-rounded education
help you communicate clearly necessary in order tofind ajob

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Do you agree or disagree with the statement in the rubric? Give reasons.
3 a) Read theessay and label the paragraphs with the headings below.
• second viewpoint & examples • subject & opinion
• restate opinion • opposing viewpointts}
• firs! viewpoint & examples

English and Malhs are more importanl sUbjects than Art and Music
Isn't it unfortunate that in today's society there are so
Para 1
=: many people who cannot read, write or even do
~ arithmetic? [ strongly believe that, although subjects such
~ as Artand Music are important, English and Maths are the
most fu ndamental part of our education.
In the first place, when you know how to read, write
and do simple calculations, you have the tools requ ired in
Para 2
order to deal with everyday matters. For example, being
able to read and write can help you communicate and
express yourself dearly. Moreover, you need basic maths
for such dai ly chores as doing your shopping, paying your
bills and managing your money.
Furthermore, it is essential to have a good knowledge of Para 3
English and Maths in order to find even the simplest job.
Reading, writing and mathematical skills are the mi nimum
requirements that most employers demand.
On the other hand, it can be argued that Art and Music
are just as significant as English and Maths. For instance, Para 4 b) Read the essay again and underline
learning how to draw or play an instrument can introduce
a child to a whole new world. In addition to this, subjects
the viewpoints the writer mentions.
such as Art and Music can provide children with a well- What reasons/exa mples are glven
rounded education rather than just basic skills. to support each viewpoint? what
All things considered, though, it seems to me that linking words! phrases are used to
: Para 5 introduce the writer's viewpoints and
:g English and Maths are vital subjects. Without learning to
g read, write or do arithmetic, people may have difficulties the opposing viewpoint? what is the
cs writer's opinion? Do you agree or
coping with even the simplest tasks in dai ly life.
disagreewith this opinion?
89
 Unil14n Opinion Essoys

4 Usc the linking words/phrases from the list below to fill in the table
B 1) All in all, I don 't believe that
that follows, as in the example.
theatre is an outdated form of
in the first place, a/so, forexample, tosum up, moreover, firstly, although, entertainment, 2) since new ideas
10 begin with, all things considered, such as, therefore, on the otherhand, are often presented on the stage.
however, apart from this, in other words, in panicuiar; for instance, in 3) While television may be more
addition, because, taking everything into account, furthennore, for one convenient, it is theatre that offers
thing. since, lastly, secondly, nonetheless, while qualityentertainment.

To Jist points: in the first place, .

2 To add more points:

6 Underline the correct word

3 To introduce opposing
viewpoints:
4 To introduce
examples/reasons:
5 To conclude:
5 Read the extracts and replace the linking words/phrases with suitable
ones from Ex. 4. whlch paragraph is each extract from?
A 1) On the other hand, computers
save us time and energy and make
o~r daily lives easier. 2) For one
thmg, most of us are grateful to be
able t.o withdraw money from cash
machines rather than wait in long
queues inside the bank. 3) What is
more, :o~puters have made many
peo~ le s Jobs easier by doing
ro.utme tasks that in the pas! were
tiring and time-consuming.
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. f or
example/In addition, we can recycle
newspapers and magazines.
3 Taking holidays abroad is usually 00
more expensive than taking them in
your own country. What is more
However, it gives you the opportu-
nity to experience other cultures.
4 Secondly/Especially, regular exercise
helps you to 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.
Each main body paragraph shou ld
start with atopic sentence whichclearly
states the main idea of the paragraph.
This should befollowed byappropriate
supporting sentences which justify
themain idea and/orgive examples.

90
 Unil 140Opinion[ssoys

7 Read the extract below and Useful expressions for gh'ing opinions
answer the following questions.
• I believe/think/feel (that) ". • My opinion is that .
I strongly believe n, • As far as I am concerned, .,.
• In my opinion/view, '" • I (completely) agree that;.... .ith ..
• The way I see it, ... I (strongly) disagree tharwith ..
• It seems/appears to me (that) . • I am totally against ..
• To my mind, n. • I couldn't agree more that/with ...
• I (do not) agree thatjwitb . I couldn't disagree more that/with ,..

On the other hand, thereare certain 9 Use the prompts below to write sentences, as in the example.
disadvantages to havingyour own car.
1 we / help I elderly ~ their lives be easier
Firstly. carshave to be maintained and
e.g 1 strongly believe that we should help the elderly, If we wen' to do
repaired on a regular basis. Therefore,
this, then their lives would be easier.
you need to spend a considerable
2 all students/ learn / foreign language ~ have better career
amount of money to keep the car in
opportunities
good condition. Moreover, driving can
sometimes be extremely stressful. For
example, being caught in a traffic jam 3 people / give up smoking ~ have fewer health problems
is not only irritating but also time-
consummg.
... teenagers / get I part-time job ~ learn to be more responsible
a) What isthe main idea ofthe para-
graph? Which sentence is it in?
b) What supporting sentences does . 5 we / alldo / voluntary work 0::::::::;. ourcommunity be a betterplace to live
the writer give?
c) Which linking words/phrases has
the writer used? Suggest other
suitable words/phrases which 10 Use appropriate expressions to expand the prompts below to make
sentences expressing an opinion, as in the example.
could replace these.
in order to / protect / environment / people / stop use / plastic bags
8 Read the topic sentences and It seems to me that, in order to protect the environment. people should stop
suggest suitable supporting using plastic bags.
2 spending money / set up / space stations/ be / completely I unjustified
ones.
1 Television may have a harmful
effect on youngpeople. 3 in order to reduce / pollution I traffic / be / ban from / enter / city centre

2 Looking after a pet from an early ... organic vegetables / be / much / healthy / than / vegetables / grown with
age develops a person's character. chemical fertilizers

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

3 Life in a large city isveryinteresting.
Unil140 Opinion hsoys

11 a) Read the sentences below. 12 a) Imagine you hal e had a class discussion about the following
Then. use appropriatewords! question: "Should morc people give up meal and become
expressions to gin Jour vegetarians?" Read the viewpoints (1-5) and match them to the
opinion, as in the example. reasons (A-E), as in the example.

I A part-time job is the bestoption for

1 Eating meat is bad for you (BJ 4 Meat is an essential part of our
someone who is a working parent.
diet; we cannot do without it 0
I completely agree that apart-timejob
is the best option for someone who is 2 There are many healthy and 5 Vegetarian food is often
a working parent. tasty alternatives available 0 boring and tasteless 0
2 Package holidays are ideal for people 3 Eating meat is cruel to
who do not like to travel alone. animals D
D Animalsare
A Soya beans kept in terrible
and lentils arc conditions just so
delicious and are good they can be killed
3 Becoming more aware of sources of protein. and eaten.
environmental concerns is the only
way 10 help save OUf planet.

There aren't
manyvegetarian
4 Educational standards in private dishes that actually
schools are usually higher than taste nice.
those in state schools. Meat provides
us with the protein
and vitamins that we
C n".'ee~
d.~t't"~

5 Boxing is an extremelyviolent sport b) Read the viewpoints again and say which you agree with and
and should be banned. which you disagree wi th. .\lake sentences using appropriate
linking words/phrases.

c) Complete the parts of the essay below, using your answers from
parts a) and b) as well as your own ideas.

Nowadays, we are often told what we should or should not eat. However, I
personally believe .

To begin with, .

In addition, ..

On the other hand, .

 Unil 14nOpinion[ssors

13 Read the extracts below and saywhich are beginnings and which are
endings. Which writing techniques have been used in each'! Viewpoints
A addressing the reader directly A fast food easy solution
B asking a rhetorical question for peoplewith busy
C using direct speech/a quotation lives DO
B fast food unhealthy DO
C fast food expensive
for consumerand
environment DO
...- ---- -
! To sum up, competition has a negat ive effect on children, as the only Reasons I Examples
:=J thing that really matters is winning. Imagine how you would feel if you
were always expected to be the best. I high in fat and salt; not fresh
2 packaging non-biodegradable,
damages environment
3 many ingredients are genetically
modified
4 ordering fast food saves time and
energy
5 people who work long hours can
pick up phone and order takeaway
6 money spent on fast food for a
week isenough to buy groceries for
two weeks
14 Read the rubric and underline the keywords, then answer
the questions.
b) Which of the viewpoints
You have had a class discussion about the following statement:
agree with the statement in
Fast food is a good alternative to cooking foryourself.
Now yourteacherhas asked you to writean essay expressing your opinion the rubric? Which disagree?
and giving reasons for your point of view.
c) Use the notes in part a) to
1 What does the statement in the rubric mean? talk about fast food, as in
A Fast food is cheap, delicious and good for you. Ihe example.
8 Fast food is a goodsolution for those who have no time to cook. e.g. In the first place, fast food is l'CIy
e Cooking is easier than ordering takeaway. unhealthy. "
2 Which points must you include in the essay?
A your opinion 8 your friend's opinion
e reasons to justify your points of view 16 Read the rubric in Ex. l~ again,
then write your essay (120 - 180
3 Which style is not suitable for this essay - formal or informal? words). Use your answers from
Ex. 14and your notes from h .
15 a) Read the rubric in Ex, 14 again and match the viewpoints (A - C) IS to help you. You can use the
to their reasons/examples (l . 6). There are two justifications for eSS3)' in Ex. 3 as a model.
each viewpoint.