Speaking/writing
Question types:
1. Statement -> What is your opinion? To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Yes - No question -> To what extent do you agree or disagree?/Opinion giving
=> reasons/arguments to support your viewpoint
Discuss -> no need to give the opinion first
Introduction:
1. Lead-in: general information (context, stakeholders)/topic (paraphrase the task)
o It is widely argued that youngsters …… such as _, _ and _, compared to their
older counterparts
o Whether or not S-V has remained a topic of debate.
o The question of whether or not S-V has remained controversial.
2. Thesis statement: position? Plan to speak/write
 I tend to agree/disagree with this statement, and in this essay, I will attempt to
provide an army of valid arguments to support my viewpoint.
 In this essay, I will explain why I … with this viewpoint
 I side with the opinion that
 I am supportive of this statement, and in this essay I will attempt to provide/present
an army of valid arguments to support my viewpoint.
 I strongly disapprove of this statement, and this essay will present a couple of
reasons for my view.
Body (Totally agree/disagree)
Idea 1: Topic sentence: Opinion stated
Chief among my arguments is …
Central to my argument is that …
My first rationale is …
First and most obviously, …
Explanation: It is because/To be specific…
Evidence: For instance/For example
Effect/Interpretation: As a result/Consequently/Therefore/By doing so/In other
words/This can lead to …
Consideration/Concession/Hypothesis: Although/Though/Despite
Idea 2: Topic sentence: Opinion stated
Furthermore/What is more, …
Another reason is that …
My further justification is …
One more convincing argument is that …
An additional factor that can be highlighted is …
… can also be cited as a major cause.
There is also plausible evidence that …
E-E-*E
Idea 3: (counter argument)
Opposing view/Others’ view
It is widely believed/held that
A typical assertion is that
A widely held belief is that
1
There is no denying that
+ Opposing Argument (*optional: a supporting sentence/an example)
Contradiction/refutation/rebuttal
However/Nevertheless/Nonetheless, I maintain that/I side with the fact that/I opine that
However, it is my strong belief that …
However, I would argue that
 Writer’s Argument
E-E-E
Neutral/Discursive
Thesis statement:
I partly agree with the idea of captivating animals in zoos for two/the/several following
reasons.
I agree with the TOPIC in terms of …, yet I also call for consideration regarding …
Whilst I am supportive of …, I also take … into consideration.
Body paragraphs (partly/Neutral position)
Para 1: Why I agree
On the one hand, advocates/supporters/those advocating TOPIC acknowledge
that …
There are several reasons why I support …. The first to mention is … E-E-E
Admittedly, …. is rational for some following reasons. My first argument is … E-E-E
Added to this/Another reason that can hardly be neglected is … E-E-E
I would also argue that …. E-E-E
Para 2: Why I disagree
On the other hand, /Nevertheless, I am inclined to the fact that … E-E-E
There is plausible evidence to support the fact that … may entail/trigger several
potential risks… E-E-E
When it comes to the other side of the issue/the other end of the spectrum, I maintain
that/it is my belief that …
More notable is the fact that …
… can also be cited as my argument against …
One more convincing argument against … is …
I would also argue that …
My further justification is that …
Conclusion (>2 sentences): key ideas - restate position
Neutral: two opposing views/ analysed from different perspectives/be multi-faceted. For one
thing, ….. However, …
Note: use different wording
Evaluative Essays
Thesis statement:
A; others are of equal importance
A is a contributing factor -> others taken into consideration
Note: specify ‘others’
2
Body para 1: Acknowledge the role/importance/contribution of Factor 1 (included in the
question)
Superlative – only – the way -> one of effective ways (scale down)
Note: Concession -> a minor drawback
Body para 2: Other factors/Compensate -> Factor 1
Note: benefits of each single factor + (evaluation) how it supports Factor 1
Argumentative Essays:
1. Either why totally agree or why totally disagree (one sided + *counterclaim)
2. Neutral: why agree and why disagree
Discursive Essays:
1. Why this view and Why that view (this >< that; this # that)
2. For and Against (1 aspect)
Raising a pet is beneficial. Discuss and give your opinion/What is your opinion?
Health: mental health/physical health – transmitted diseases, SARS
Finance: earn a living/profitable – costly/fees
 Against/balance
Evaluative Essays
1. Which: this or that? – better option? A or B
A: positives
A: positives > B?
B: negatives
A: negative > B
 Consider both A and B => reconfirm position
 A positives compared to B
 A negative > B (counterclaim)
A: positives + negatives
B: positives + negatives
Justification/criteria: finalise A or B
2. Superlative – only – the way/comparative
Why this and Why other(s)
WRAP UP
Question Introdu
type
ction
Para 1
Para 2
Para 3*
Conclusi
on
Discursi
ve
Essays
Advantages
(There are
numerous
benefits of … as
follows.)
Disadvantages
(... may entail
several
drawbacks.)
N/A
… has
both
merits
and
demerits .
(+);
however,
(-)
Advantag
es and
Disadvan
tages of
…/
Do not
state
your
position
(hidden:
body
para
structur
e)
Your
unfavoured/les
s favoured view
Your favoured
view
Or … has
more
3
2
opposing
views ->
Discuss
advantag
es than
disadvant
ages.
Argumen State
tative
your
Essays
positio
n in the
thesis
Yes-No
stateme
question
Statemen nt
t
(controve
rsial) ->
Agree or
disagree/
What is
your
opinion?
At least 2
sentence
s”
Summary
of key
points
Final
thoughts
(restate
your
opinion)
Note:
language
of giving
opinions
(I argue
that/I
maintain
that/I am
inclined
to the fact
that …)
Totally
Agree
or
Disagre
e
Neutral
Agree
in some
aspects
but
disagre
e in
others
Reason 1 for
your
agreement/disa
greement
Reason 2 for
your
agreement/disa
greement
My first
justification is
Chief amongst
my arguments is
..
One more
convincing
argument is …
An additional
supporting
argument is …
Reasons why
you
agree?/Aspects
why you agree?
Reasons why
you
disagree?/Aspe
cts why you
disagree?
There are
several reasons
why I …
However, when it
comes to the
other end of the
spectrum, I hold
that …
Reason 3 for
agreement/disa
greement
Or:
Counterclaim/C
ounter
argument
Opposing view > refutation ->
your view (E-EE)
N/A
From the
aforementione
d
argument
s, I have
a strong
belief that
….
Besides,
…
All in all/
….
controver
sial.
Agreeme
nt Disagree
ment?
Practice
1. Many people think that standardised English language tests are not the best way to
evaluate students’ eligibility for university admission. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
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2. Some people say that all citizens should be given complete freedom to express their
personal opinions and concerns about every social problem on the Internet, while
others say that this may worsen the situations in reality.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
3. Some people think that schools should give prizes for academic successes. Others
argue that it is more important for schools to give prizes for other achievements (for
example, for sports, music and behaviour). Discuss both views and give your own
opinion.
4. Some people think scientific research should focus on solving world health problems.
Others think that there are more important issues. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
5. Thanks to technological advancements, information has been disseminated at an
unprecedented speed. Some people argue that censorship is necessary for different
aspects of life. To what extent do you agree with the statement?
6. Some people think that too much attention and too many resources are given to the
wildlife and birds. Do you agree or disagree?
7. Leaders and directors in organizations are normally older people. Some people think
having a younger leader would be better. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
8. In the future, there will be a higher proportion of older people than young people in
many countries. Is it a positive or negative development?
9. As major cities in the world are growing today, so do their problems. What are the
problems for young people who are living in the cities as the result of continued
growth? What are the solutions for these problems?
10. Environmental damage is a problem in most countries. What factors damage the
environment and who should take responsibility?
11. It is widely held that a positive attitude is the key to success. What is your opinion?
12. In the present, people often choose to throw away things that are broken and buy
new ones, but in the past people usually repaired them. What do you think about
this case? What problems?
13. Many people believe that the use of social media has made life worse for people all
over the world, from politics, to self-image, to the spread of disinformation. It is a
social experiment that has not worked, and it is time to ban social media. To what
extent to you agree or disagree?
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14. In your opinion, which is more suitable in the modern world: a broad educational
system covering a variety of areas, or one that concentrates on a narrow set of
subjects related to a specific major.
15. People aim to achieve a balance between their work and personal life, but few
people achieve it. What are the causes of the problem? How to overcome it?
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