N A E T I R W HOW TO ESSAY? WHAT IS AN ESSAY? a short piece of writing on a particular subject. WHAT IS AN OPINION (PERSUASIVE) ESSAY? An opinion essay is a piece of formal writing. It requires your opinion on a topic, which must be stated clearly. Throughout the essay you will give various arguments /reasons/viewpoints on the topic and these will be supported by evidence and / or examples. You could also include an opposing viewpoint in a paragraph. A successful opinion essay should have: • a) an introductory paragraph in which you state the topic and your opinion. • b) a main body which consists of several paragraphs, each presenting a separate viewpoint supported by reasons. • c) a conclusion in which you restate your opinion using different words. Decide whether you agree or disagree with the subject of the topic, then make a list of your viewpoints and reasons. Write well-developed paragraphs, joining the sentences with appropriate linking words and phrases. Do not forget to start each paragraph with a topic sentence which summarizes what the paragraph is about. Linking words and phrases should also be used to join one paragraph with the other. The OREO Technique EXAMPLE LINKING WORDS AND PHRASES FOR AN OPINION ESSAY Choose the correct words or phrases. 1. Our school dinner are delicious and nutritious. What is more /As a result, they are free. 2. Fred got seriously injured during football practice. As a consequence/conclusion, he won’t be able to play in tomorrow’s match. 3. Most people think TV is a waste of time. The way I see it /Another factor is, it’s the best way to become fluent in a language. 4. In my view / my way of thinking, universities should be free for everyone. 5. Every person has a different learning style. All things considered/For this reason, a teacher must use a variety of teaching techniques. 6. There are many ways parents can help their children do well in school. Firstly/ Overall, they can help their children how to organize their time. 7. In my view, we can all do something to protect the environment. For example /Such, we can recycle newspapers and magazines. 8. It is a good idea for foreign language learners to read books and visit websites to improve their skills. In conclusion/In addition, they could watch films in the target language. SOME MODEL ESSAYS “English and Maths are more important subjects than Art and Music”. Do you agree or disagree? Isn’t it unfortunate that in today’s society there are so many people who cannot read, write or even do arithmetic? The subjects that are taught at school are various and most of them are necessary for the development of students. Some people, however, give more importance to subjects that can improve students’ artistic skills, while some others consider mathematical knowledge more essential. I strongly believe that, although subjects such as Art and Music are important, 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 the tools required in order to deal with everyday matters. For example, being able to read and write can help you communicate and express yourself clearly. In addition, you can read the signs on the roads to find your way and you can read the newspaper to learn what is happening around the world. 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 find even the simplest job. Reading, writing and mathematical skills are the minimum requirements that most employers demand. If you know a third language, then it is more advantageous. Nowadays, employers look for employees who know at least one language. All things considered, it seems to me that English and Maths are fundamental subjects. Without learning to read, write or do arithmetic, people may have difficulties coping with even the simplest tasks in daily life. Artistic knowledge and skills are definitely necessary, yet they are not so important as Maths or English as without Art you can still survive but without Maths or a language, you will certainly have difficulty living on your own. “Although the position of women in society today has improved, there is still a great deal of discrimination.” Do you agree? 1. Read the model essay and underline the topic sentences in body paragraphs and the thesis statement in the introduction. 2. Look at the bold linking words and phrases. Which words can be used to replace these? Throughout this century, the role of women within society has changed, and the majority of people feel that this change is for the better. More women work than ever before, and it is accepted in Western culture that many women now have careers. Nonetheless, in my opinion there is still a great deal of sexual discrimination against women within society, and the belief that sexual equality has been achieved is not altogether accurate. To begin with, many women find it very difficult to return to work after having children. The main reason for this is that there are rarely any plans made for childcare in the workplace, and in these cases, women are forced to find someone to look after the children while they are at work. Obviously, this can prove to be a time-consuming and expensive process, yet it must be done if mothers wish to be able to resume their careers. Secondly, the traditional views of the position of women within society are so deeply fixed that they have not really changed. For instance, not only is the view that women should stay at home and look after their family still widely held, but it is reinforced (strengthen) through images seen on television programmes and advertisements. An example of this is that few men are ever seen doing housework on television, since this is traditionally thought of as “a woman’s job.” Thirdly, since families often need two incomes in order to enjoy a good standard of living, a woman finds herself doing two jobs: one at home and one at the office. Therefore, it could be said that a woman’s position has, in fact, deteriorated (get worse) rather than improved, with the result that women carry the burdens of equality but get none of the benefits. Taking these points into consideration, I would say that the position of women has improved only slightly. While rules and laws have changed, it is the deeprooted opinions of people within society which need a longer time to evolve. Needless to say, until these attitudes have changed, sexual discrimination will remain a problem which we all need to face and fight against. TOPICS FOR OPINION ESSAYS Choose one of the topics and write an opinion essay. Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. How do movies or television influence people's behaviour? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Neighbours are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbour? Use specific details and examples in your answer. It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay. In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details. A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay. Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? You should never judge a person by external appearances. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Most experiences in our lives that seemed difficult at the time become valuable lessons for the future. Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has made the world a better place to live. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this visitor go on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Only people who earn a lot of money are successful. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice. Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer. Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents' generation? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer. You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice.
