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...
