Opinion Essays1[1]

7/29/2019 Opinion Essays1[1]

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OpinionOpinion EssaysEssays

11 Nivel AvanzadoNivel Avanzado


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Opinion EssaysOpinion Essays Definition.Definition.

Structure.Structure.

Style.Style.

DoDos and Dons and Donts.ts. Writing Strategies.Writing Strategies.


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DefinitionDefinitionA formalA formal piecepiece ofofwritingwriting showingshowing anan

opinionopinion onon aa topictopic,, whichwhich mustmust bebe statedstatedclearlyclearly,, givinggiving variousvarious viewpointsviewpoints onon thethetopictopic,, supportedsupported byby reasonsreasons andand// ororexamplesexamples..

ItIt isis usuallyusually foundfound inin thethe formform ofofanan articlearticle

inin newspapersnewspapers, magazines, etc., magazines, etc.


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StructureStructure


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StructureStructureEnglish and Maths are more important subjects than Art and Music

Isnt it unfortunate that in todays society there are so many people who cannot read, write or

even do arithmetic? I strongly believe that, although subjects such as Art and Music areimportant, English and Maths are the most fundamental part of our education.

In the first place, when you know how to read, write and do simple calculations, you have thetools required in order to deal with everyday matters. For example, being able to read andwrite can help you communicate and express yourself clearly. Moreover, you need basic maths

for such daily chores as doing your shopping, paying your bills and managing your money.Furthermore, it is essential to have a good knowledge of English and Maths in order to findeven the simplest job. Reading, writing and mathematical skills are the minimum requirementsthat most employers demand.

On the other hand, it can be argued that Art and Music are just as significant as English andMaths. For instance, learning how to draw or play an instrument can introduce a child to awhole new world. In addition to this, subjects such as Arts and Music can provide children witha well-rounded education rather than just basic skills.

All things considered, though, it seems to me that English and Maths are vital subjects.

Without learning to read, write or do arithmetic, people may have difficulties coping with eventhe simplest tasks in daily life.


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StructureStructure IntroductionIntroduction..

MainMain BodyBody..

ConclusionConclusion..


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StructureStructure:: IntroductionIntroduction IntroducingIntroducing thethe topictopic..

StatingStating

youryour

opinionopinion

clearlyclearly

.

.

Traditional values are irrelevant to modern society. Do you agree?

Has modern society changed so much that the values of the past nolonger have any place? In my view, society will always need values,and the society we live in today would function better if traditionalvalues were retained.


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Structure: Introduction. TipsStructure: Introduction. Tips Make reference to an unusual or striking idea, scene orMake reference to an unusual or striking idea, scene or

situation.situation.

Address the reader directly.Address the reader directly.

Start with a quotation or a thoughtStart with a quotation or a thought--provoking statement.provoking statement.

Is Television killing physical communication among individuals?

Imagine millions of people coming home from school or workeveryday to sit staring at a wall for four hours.

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like withoutcars?

Is Television killing physical communication among individuals?

Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained inyour living room by people you wouldnt have in your home,

David Frost once said.


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Structure: Main BodyStructure: Main Body It consists of several paragraphs.It consists of several paragraphs.

Each paragraphEach paragraph Presents a separate viewpoint supported by reasons.Presents a separate viewpoint supported by reasons.

Starts with aStarts with a topic sentencetopic sentence..

Clear statement of the main idea of the paragraph.Clear statement of the main idea of the paragraph.

Gives appropriateGives appropriate supporting sentencessupporting sentences.. Justification of the main ideaJustification of the main idea with(outwith(out) examples.) examples.

The last paragraphThe last paragraph Presents the opposing viewpoint.Presents the opposing viewpoint.

Reasons why you think that viewpoint is unconvincing.Reasons why you think that viewpoint is unconvincing.


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Structure: ConclusionStructure: ConclusionA paragraph that restates your opinionA paragraph that restates your opinion

using different words.using different words.

Traditional values are irrelevant to modern society. Do you agree?

To sum up, I strongly believe that, whatever changes may occur insociety, we must fight to maintain our traditional sense of right andwrong. As Pope Paul VI said: We must see to it that enthusiasm forthe future does not give rise to contempt for the past.


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Structure: Conclusion. TipsStructure: Conclusion. Tips Finish with a quotation.Finish with a quotation.

Ask a rhetorical question.Ask a rhetorical question.

Give the reader something to consider.Give the reader something to consider.

Perhaps then people will rediscover what it is like to actuallycommunicate with each other.


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Structure. A final outlineStructure. A final outline Introduction.Introduction.

Paragraph 1Paragraph 1. Topic and your opinion is clearly. Topic and your opinion is clearlystated.stated.

Main Body.Main Body. Paragraph 2Paragraph 2. Viewpoint 1 and reason / example.. Viewpoint 1 and reason / example.

Paragraph 3Paragraph 3. Viewpoint 2 and reason / example.. Viewpoint 2 and reason / example. Paragraph 4Paragraph 4. Viewpoint 3 and reason / example.. Viewpoint 3 and reason / example. Paragraph 5Paragraph 5. Opposing viewpoint and reason /. Opposing viewpoint and reason /

example.example. Conclusion.Conclusion.

Paragraph 6.Paragraph 6. Summarise / restate your opinion withSummarise / restate your opinion withdifferent words.different words.


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Structure. Exercise #1Structure. Exercise #11.1. Read an extract from an opinion essay andRead an extract from an opinion essay and

answer the following questions:answer the following questions:

On the other hand, there are certain

disadvantages to having your own car. Firstly,

cars have to be maintained and repaired on a

regular basis. Therefore, you need to spend a

considerable amount of money to keep the car

in good condition. Moreover, driving can

sometimes be extremely stressful. For

example, being caught in a traffic jam is not

only irritating but also time-consuming.

a. What is the main idea of the

paragraph?

b. Which sentence is it in?

c. What supporting sentences doesthe writer give?

Drawbacks for owning a car

On the other hand, there are certain

disadvantages to having your own car. Firstly,

cars have to be maintained and repaired on a

regular basis. Therefore, you need to spend a

considerable amount of money to keep the car

in good condition. Moreover, driving can

sometimes be extremely stressful. For

example, being caught in a traffic jam is not

only irritating but also time-consuming.1. have to be maintained and repaired

2. driving [] extremely stressful.


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Structure. Exercise #2Structure. Exercise #22.2. Read the main body of the opinion essayRead the main body of the opinion essay

on the topic:on the topic: State benefits should beState benefits should beavailable to allavailable to all. Then, discuss with your. Then, discuss with yourpartner the most suitable beginning andpartner the most suitable beginning andending.ending.


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Structure. Exercise #3Structure. Exercise #33.3. Read the opinion essay on the topic:Read the opinion essay on the topic:

Although the position of women in society todayAlthough the position of women in society todayhas improved, there is still a great deal of sexualhas improved, there is still a great deal of sexual

discriminationdiscrimination. Then, complete the. Then, complete theparagraph plan on the right, identifyingparagraph plan on the right, identifyingthe main topic of each paragraph.the main topic of each paragraph.


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Formal StyleFormal Style


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Formal StyleFormal Style

Passive voice and impersonalPassive voice and impersonalconstructions.constructions.

It is argued thatIt is argued that; It is a common belief; It is a common beliefthatthat

Advanced vocabulary.Advanced vocabulary.

heated debate concerning theheated debate concerning thecontroversial issuecontroversial issue

Anyone seen in class!Anyone seen in class!

Formal linking words or phrases.Formal linking words or phrases.

Furthermore; However; NonethelessFurthermore; However; Nonetheless

Complex sentences with a variety of links,Complex sentences with a variety of links,dependent clauses, etc.dependent clauses, etc.

Although it is widely accepted thatAlthough it is widely accepted thatcompulsory military service, which provide ancompulsory military service, which provide an

army with abundant manpower, is beneficialarmy with abundant manpower, is beneficialto a countryto a countrys ability to defend itself, closers ability to defend itself, closer

analysis of military efficiency suggests that itanalysis of military efficiency suggests that it

is advanced weaponry which plays a crucialis advanced weaponry which plays a crucial

role inrole in

Inversion, especially in conditionals.Inversion, especially in conditionals.

Were this true, we wouldWere this true, we wouldNever has this been more obviousNever has this been more obvious

Short forms except when these are partShort forms except when these are partof a quotation.of a quotation.

IImm; It; Itss

Colloquial expressions, phrasal verbsColloquial expressions, phrasal verbs

and idioms.and idioms.

lots of; put up with; be over the moonlots of; put up with; be over the moonaboutabout

Simplistic vocabulary.Simplistic vocabulary.

ExpertsExpertssaysaytheytheythinkthinkthis isthis isbadbad..

A series of short sentences.A series of short sentences.

Many people think so. They are wrong.Many people think so. They are wrong.

Simple linking words except for variety.Simple linking words except for variety.

and; but; so.and; but; so.

Personal examples.Personal examples.That happened to me once. I wasThat happened to me once. I was


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Formal Style. Exercise #4Formal Style. Exercise #41.1. Read the following excerpts and findRead the following excerpts and find

examples of the features of formal andexamples of the features of formal andinformal style from the list.informal style from the list.


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DoDos and Dons and Dontsts


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Formal style.Formal style.

Topic is clearly stated in the Introduction.Topic is clearly stated in the Introduction. Clear topic sentences.Clear topic sentences.

WellWell--developed paragraphs.developed paragraphs. Linking words and phrases.Linking words and phrases.

Generalisation.Generalisation.

Quotation.Quotation. Examples.Examples.


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Informal style: colloquial expressions and shortInformal style: colloquial expressions and short

forms.forms. Topic is not clearly stated in the Introduction.Topic is not clearly stated in the Introduction.

Unclear / irrelevant topic sentences.Unclear / irrelevant topic sentences.

Emotive vocabulary.Emotive vocabulary. OverOver--generalisations.generalisations.

Blind use of statistics.Blind use of statistics.

Personal examples.Personal examples. Use of clichUse of clichd expressions.d expressions.


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DoDos and Dons and Donts. Exercise #5ts. Exercise #51.1. Read the two opinion essays on theRead the two opinion essays on the

topic:topic: The mass media have an adverse effectThe mass media have an adverse effecton moral standardson moral standards. Spot the Do. Spot the Dos and thes and theDonDonts.ts.


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Useful languageUseful language To my mind / To my way of thinkingTo my mind / To my way of thinking It is my (firm) belief / opinion / view / conviction (that)It is my (firm) belief / opinion / view / conviction (that)

In my opinion / viewIn my opinion / view I (firmly / strongly) believeI (firmly / strongly) believe I am (not) convinced thatI am (not) convinced that I (do not) agree that / withI (do not) agree that / with; I (completely) agree that / with; I (completely) agree that / with; I; I

(strongly) disagree that / with(strongly) disagree that / with

It strikes me thatIt strikes me that My opinion is thatMy opinion is that I (definitely) feel / think thatI (definitely) feel / think that I am inclined to believe thatI am inclined to believe that It seems / appears to me (that)It seems / appears to me (that)

As far as I am concerned,As far as I am concerned, The way I see it,The way I see it, I am (totally) againstI am (totally) against I couldnI couldnt (dis)agree more that / witht (dis)agree more that / with


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Useful language. Exercise #6Useful language. Exercise #61.1. Complete the table with the following expressions.Complete the table with the following expressions.

In the first place, also, for example, to sum up, moreover, firsIn the first place, also, for example, to sum up, moreover, firstly, although,tly, although,to begin with, all things considered, such as, therefore, on theto begin with, all things considered, such as, therefore, on the other hand,other hand,however, apart form this, in other words, in particular, for inshowever, apart form this, in other words, in particular, for instance, intance, inaddition, because, taking everything into account, furthermore,addition, because, taking everything into account, furthermore, for onefor onething, since, lastly, secondly, nonetheless, while.thing, since, lastly, secondly, nonetheless, while.

To list pointsTo list pointsTo add moreTo add more

pointspoints

To introduceTo introduceopposingopposing

viewpointsviewpoints

To introduceTo introduceexamples /examples /

reasonsreasonsTo concludeTo conclude


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Useful language. Exercise #6Useful language. Exercise #6To list pointsTo list points

To add moreTo add morepointspoints

To introduceTo introduceopposingopposing

viewpointsviewpoints

To introduceTo introduceexamples /examples /

reasonsreasonsTo concludeTo conclude

In the firstIn the first

place.place.

Firstly.Firstly.

To begin with.To begin with.

For one thing.For one thing.Lastly.Lastly.

Secondly.Secondly.

Also.Also.

Moreover.Moreover.

Apart fromApart from

this.this.

In addition.In addition.Furthermore.Furthermore.

Although.Although.

On the otherOn the other

hand.hand.

However.However.

Nonetheless.Nonetheless.While.While.

For example.For example.

Such as.Such as.

In otherIn other

words.words.

In particular.In particular.For instance.For instance.

Because.Because.

Since.Since.

To sum up.To sum up.

All thingsAll things

considered.considered.

Therefore.Therefore.

TakingTakingeverything intoeverything into

account.account.


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OpinionOpinion EssaysEssays

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Opinion Essays1[1]