In a comment you are asked to give your opinion and explain it. This could be in response to something that has happened or on views expressed in a newspaper article, discussion etc. Plan the structure of your comment to include the following parts: • Know your task ▪ “comment on” means: state your view on a topic clearly and support your view with evidence/reasons/arguments ▪ “discuss” means: give arguments or reasons for and against, especially to come to a well-founded conclusion (pro & con + conclusion) • Introduction: State which topic/question/problem you will write about referring to the task. Try to get your reader’s attention by starting in an interesting way. • Main part: ▪ Identify and refer to arguments put forward in the text. ▪ Clearly state your own opinion on the topic. ▪ Weigh up and reply to arguments that do support your point of view. ▪ Include evidence to support / refute arguments (expert opinions; statistics etc.) ▪ Base your arguments on facts and put them forward coherently and unemotionally – that is more convincing. • Conclusion: ▪ Sum up your arguments. ▪ Come to a logical conclusion (that can be deduced from your former arguments) about the topic / question / problem stating your own opinion. Organize your ideas coherently: • • Organize your ideas into paragraphs. Link your ideas / paragraphs with connectives. Use formal language: • • • Use connectives (in addition, finally, moreover, however, etc.) Use the passive voice occasionally. Try to avoid using “I” too frequently. There are many other ways of expressing your own opinion. • Don’t start writing before you have planned your answer and know what conclusion you will come to. Don’t just state arguments/opinions without supporting them with examples/evidence • Referring to the topic / question in the introduction • This comment will discuss/consider/argue… • The problem/issue to be discussed in this comment is… • The text/article/story/author … raises the question of/introduces the problem of …, which will be discussed in this comment. Identifying and referring to arguments for the main part: • The main problem/issue/question that is touched upon in this article is… • The author states/argues/claims/maintains/supports the idea / puts forward the argument/denies the fact/contradicts the opinion that… Presenting your own opinion • It is my belief / opinion that… / in my opinion … / Personally… • As far as I can see / am concerned … / As I can see it… • I (completely) agree / (absolutely) disagree with… • As opposed to I (strongly) believe that… Weighing up and countering arguments: • Taking into account what has been said so far, I … • Having considered the different arguments, I … / Considering the fact that… • On the one hand…, on the other hand… • Whereas girls generally like to use the internet to keep in touch with friends, boys prefer to use it to play computer games. / In contrast to A, B… • Looking at the problem from A’s side, you have to admit that… • Another important point/factor/argument to consider is… • Supporters/Opponents of… argue/might argue that… • Others claim/assert that… • While there is no doubt/question that…, … must also be considered/mentioned • It must also be taken into consideration that… Coming to a conclusion • All in all, … / In conclusion, … • To conclude, … / To sum up, … aspect introduction You present the issue. • You refer to the topic and • state your point of view. You include… • facts about the background of the problem / statement • information about its relevance today • a quotation • etc. main part Present your line of argument. You present different views on the topic: You structure your text clearly and argue in a logical manner in order to convince your readers. You either … 1. comment on the topic and give arguments for one side or 2. discuss the topic and give arguments for and against - 0 You arrange the arguments according to their importance: from the weakest to the strongest or the other way around. Each of your statements is supported by evidence (you give examples, explanations, refer to evidence / statistics etc.) Your argument is logical. conclusion language style The presentation of your arguments leads to a conclusion. 1. You sum up you arguments. 2. You round off your comment by restating your thesis. You make sure you do not give new information. Your conclusion includes at least one of the following aspects: • a summary of what you have found out • an outlook on further consequences • your own opinion • an appeal to the readers to reach their own conclusion Your language (orthography, grammar, lexis) is correct. • You use useful phrases / connectives / language support. • You use paragraphs for each part (Introduction, main part, conclusion) and each new argument. Additional comments: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ +
