How to write an opinion essay
In an opinion essay, you explain what you think about a subject and give reasons.
Sometimes you have to answer a question or explain the statement. When you are writing an essay
that asks you to discuss a topic or give your opinion on a question, it is important to organize your
thoughts and present your arguments clearly and to work out the structure of your essay before you
start to write.
1. Structure: plan four paragraphs
Paragraph 1: an introduction (saying why it is important, what the situation
is...) Introduce the topic with one or two general sentences. Do not start with
your opinion.
Paragraphs 2 and 3: Opinion
Say what you think. Give reasons and evidence to support your opinions / give
a contrasting or different view. Remember to use linkers to connect your
ideas and clear examples.
Paragraph 4: Conclusion
Summarize your opinion or interpretation of the facts.
2. List your reasons before you start writing (in a draft).
3. Suport your reasons with clear examples.
4. Use connectors to introduce the different ideas, paragraphs and arguments in
your essay.
5. Use a formal style: do not use contractions or very colloquial expressions.
6. A sample of an opinion essay:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing-skills-practice/opinionessay
Useful language:
Expressing opinion:
In my opinion,
As I see it,
As far as I am concerned,
I believe
I guess that
From my point of view
Personally, I think
In my view,
Introducing a paragraph:
First of all, / Firstly / First
Secondly, / Second
Thirly / Third
Giving examples:
For example,
For instance,
In particular,
Contrasting:
However,
On the contrary,
On the one hand / On the other hand
One disadvantage of... is that...
One advantage of ... is that...
Adding information:
Moreover
Besides
Furthermore
In addition
Reason and result:
As a result
Because of this
For this reason
So
Clarifying:
Actually,
In fact
I mean
Generalizing:
In general,
It is well-known that
Generally speaking
Concluding:
In conclusion,
To sum up,
To conclude
Referring to other people's ideas:
Many people think/ say that...
Some people say / think that...
It is thought that...
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