There are usually several key words or phrases in the exam question that indicate the type of answer and the range of phrases the examiner is expecting you to write. Read the question carefully. Does it contain one of the following phrases?
 put forward your views and arguments
 put forward your ideas and arguments
 put forward your opinions and arguments
 outline your opinions for and/or against
 set out your arguments for and/or against
If so, then the phrases the examiner certainly expects to see will include those for putting forward views and arguments, as outlined in Unit 11.
In a views and arguments composition
, the word ‘argument’ indicates that you must show both points of view . Use the following basic plan for every views and arguments composition:
First paragraph: general introduction
Explain the importance/significance of the topic you have been asked to write about, making sure you include appropriate features of formal writing – time fixers , generalisations , etc. – as outlined in Units 10 and 11.
Second paragraph: one side of the issue
Put forward one side of the issue being argued – for example, the argument in favour – making sure you include views and arguments phrases , phrases for joining similar points and support phrases (Units 10 and 11).
Third paragraph: the other side of the issue
Put forward the other side of the issue being argued – for example, the argument against – making sure you include phrases for joining contrasting points , views and arguments phrases, phrases for joining similar points and support phrases (Units 10 and 11).
Fourth paragraph: conclusion
Put forward your personal opinion, including a suggestion, if possible. Use phrases for introducing points , as well as opinion , suggestion and support phrases (Units 10 and 11).
See Unit 12 for information about how much to write in the exam.
In some exam questions of this kind, as in the one below, you are given a list of comments that people have made related to the topic. These are given to help you by providing you with ideas, but you are usually free to use ideas of your own as well. If you are familiar with the topic, do not waste time reading the comments given. Your own ideas will be more original, and will already be in your own words.

However, if the topic is one you feel unsure of, then you will need to read the comments. If this is the case, remember to carry out the following steps:
1.
Read each comment and mark with a tick or a cross whether it is in favour (positive) or against (negative) in meaning.
2.
Make two headings, one In favour and the other Against .
3.
Rewrite each comment in your own words, remembering to change the comments from friendly into formal register where necessary.
4.
Number the comments in order of importance – you may not need to use them all.
Now look at the following views and arguments composition, based on a question from a past exam paper, and the sample answer that follows. Read the comments given and see how the steps outlined above have been applied.
There is a plan to build a wind farm in your area to provide electricity for the local population. Put forward your views and arguments concerning the project. a)
‘This will really benefit us all – we’ll have a reliable electricity supply at last.’ b)
‘I think it’s outrageous and dreadful. It will be an eyesore for miles around!’ c)
‘The amount of electricity these things will generate is just not worth all the disruption it will cause.’ d)
‘Well, it will look nice, won’t it? All those windmills, I know they’re the modern kind, but it reminds me a bit of Holland.’ e)
‘It will enable us to have new small industries, and that means jobs. That’s good, isn’t it?’ f)
‘People say they are environmentally friendly and all that, but they do make a noise – it’s an awful swishing sound. I certainly don’t want to hear that when I’m out enjoying the countryside.’ g)
‘In other areas where they’ve put these things motorists have had accidents watching the windmill blades instead of the road. They can be rather hypnotic.’
It is important to remember that many of these comments are people’s actual spoken words – this means that they are in informal register . They are rewritten below in formal register and listed in descending order of importance:
In favour a) A reliable supply of electricity will be beneficial to everyone. e) A reliable electricity supply will allow small industries to be established, which will be good for the local economy. d) They will be attractive.
Against b) They will be unsightly. f) They cause noise pollution. c) There will be a great deal of inconvenience for nothing. g) They can distract drivers and cause accidents.
Your Database of Topic-related Vocabulary and Ideas will be particularly useful in the introduction and conclusion paragraphs of your composition.

Remember: Never dive directly into the topic. Always begin outside the topic itself, to set the context, and then move in to introduce the exact topic under consideration. Here the topic is windmills, so begin with the wider issue of power generation.
Here is a sample answer to the wind farm question.
Paragraph 1
Explain the importance of the issue under consideration.
Paragraph 2
Introduce one point of view (arguments against ).
Until now, power generation has relied on natural resources, such as coal, gas and oil. As these supplies begin to run out, scientists have been investigating alternative methods of producing electricity, such as windmills.
Paragraph 3
Introduce the opposite point of view
(arguments
Conclude.
in favour
Paragraph 4
).
One of the main arguments against windmills is that they are an eyesore, and spoil areas of natural beauty. This may lead to a reduction of tourism, which would be bad for the local economy. Moreover, many people are concerned that the windmills are not only a distraction to motorists, but that the noise they make may disturb local wildlife.
On the other hand, the main argument in favour of windmills is that they will provide a much more reliable power supply to remote areas and consequently small industries will be established which will provide employment for local people and at the same time boost the economy.
In conclusion, I believe that it would be a good idea if plans for the windmill farm went ahead, as they pose no threat to the environment in terms of air pollution and they would certainly be more attractive than a conventional power station.
Until now, power generation has relied on natural resources, such as coal, gas and oil . As these supplies begin to run out, scientists have been investigating alternative methods of producing electricity, such as
windmills.
Paragraph: 34 words
One of the main arguments against windmills is that they are an eyesore, and spoil areas of natural beauty. This may lead to a reduction of tourism, which would be bad for the local economy.
Moreover, many people are concerned that the windmills are not only a distraction to motorists, but that the noise they make may disturb local wildlife .
Paragraph: 60 words
Total: 94 words
On the other hand, the main argument in favour of windmills is that they will provide a much more reliable power supply to remote areas and consequently small industries will be established which will provide employment for local people and at the same time boost the economy .
Paragraph: 47 words
Total: 141 words
time fixer phrase examples link to main topic views and arguments support joining similar points generalisation support contrasting points views and arguments support joining similar points support

In conclusion, I believe that it would be a good idea if plans for the windmill farm went ahead , as they pose no threat to the environment in terms of air pollution and they would certainly be more attractive than a conventional power station .
Paragraph: 44 words
Total: 185 words introducing a point opinion phrase suggestion phrase support support
Now look at another views and arguments composition, based on a question from a past exam paper, and the sample answer that follows.
The governors of your school have decided that all students should take part in competitive team sports. Set out your arguments for and/or against compulsory competitive team sports.
The exam question contains comments for you to use and says that ‘you are free to use ideas of your own’. In this example, we will use our own ideas.
Remember: Every word in the question is there for a reason. Make sure you have read every word before you plan your response.
 all students – That means everyone.
 compulsory – That means there is no choice; you must take part.
 competitive – That means playing to win, not just for fun or to keep fit.
 team sports – That means games like football, volleyball and hockey.
Consider the following views in favour and against :
In favour
Compulsory competitive team sports should
be encouraged because:
 they prevent students from becoming unfit due to laziness
 sport should be part of the timetable/
makes you fit/gives you more energy/
a healthy mind in a healthy body
 team games encourage the idea of working together/co-operation
 they encourage social interaction
Against
Compulsory competitive team sports should
not be encouraged because:
 when people are forced to do things, they are generally not enthusiastic participants
 students who do not like sport may weaken the team/may be bullied or even socially isolated
 too much emphasis on sport can result in obsession with winning, which can result in aggressive behaviour
Remember: Never dive directly into the topic. Always begin outside the topic itself, to set the context, and then move in to introduce the exact topic under consideration. Here the exact topic is sport in schools, so begin with the larger issue of health.

Now look at a sample answer to this question.
Paragraph 1
Explain the importance of the issue under consideration.
Paragraph 2
Introduce one point of
Nowadays, due to the media and awareness campaigns, the vast majority of people realise the importance of exercise, and the benefits it can have on health. In an effort to promote this idea, a large number of schools want to make participation in team sports compulsory. view (arguments against ).
Paragraph 3
Introduce the opposite point of view
(arguments
Paragraph 4
Conclude.
in favour ).
One of the main arguments against anything compulsory is that when a student is forced into something, he will not be an enthusiastic participant, and this may weaken the performance of his team. Consequently, he could become unpopular, isolated socially, or even become a victim of bullying.
On the other hand, many people would argue that sport makes us fit and gives us energy. In order to have a healthy mind in a healthy body, sport should be a compulsory subject on every school timetable.
Furthermore, it is a fact that team sport encourages cooperation and promotes social interaction.
To sum up, in my opinion it would be a good idea if team sports were made compulsory in schools to establish healthy habits early in life, and to prevent students from becoming unfit due to laziness.
Nowadays, due to the media and awareness campaigns, the vast majority of people realise the importance of exercise, and the benefits it can have on health. In an effort to promote this idea, a large number of schools
want to make participation in team sports compulsory.
Total: 46 words
One of the main arguments against anything compulsory is that when a student is forced into something, he will not be an enthusiastic participant, and this may weaken the performance of his team . Consequently, he could become unpopular, isolated socially, or even become a victim of bullying.
Paragraph: 47 words
Total: 93 words
On the other hand, many people would argue that sport makes us fit and gives us energy. In order to have a healthy mind in a healthy body, sport should be a compulsory subject on every school timetable.
Furthermore, it is a fact that team sport encourages cooperation and promotes social interaction .
Paragraph: 52 words
Total: 145 words
To sum up, in my opinion it would be a good idea if team sports were made compulsory in schools to establish healthy habits early in life, and to prevent students from becoming unfit due to laziness .
Paragraph: 37 words
Total: 182 words
time fixer phrase generalisation generalisation
link to main topic views and arguments support support contrasting points generalisation views and arguments support suggestion phrase joining similar points views and arguments support introducing a point opinion phrase suggestion phrase support

Exercise 3
Using the plan and information above, write your own answer to the compulsory competitive team sports question. You should conclude your response in opposition to compulsory competitive team sports.
Exercise 4
Use the prompts given below to answer to the following question.
The government is planning to build an airport near your area. Write a letter to a local newspaper, setting out your views and arguments about the issue.
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4 introduction/context poor transport/decrease in tourist industry views/arguments against the proposal noise pollution/disturb local people/ loss of farmland/drop in crop yield views/arguments in favour of the proposal encourage tourists/improve economy/ more jobs conclusion + opinion good way to boost the economy
Compare your answer to Exercise 4 with one written by an IGCSE examination candidate.
(Ask your teacher for this!)
Remember: As is the case with opinion composition, there is no right or wrong response to the issues you are asked to write about. Follow the respective plan, and you will impress!