HOW TO WRITE AN OPINION ESSAY

How to write Topic Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3 State opinion Present the topic Present what to be a modern family.. How to write Topic Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3 Present situa

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HOW TO WRITE AN OPINION

ESSAY

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Tên sáng kiến kinh nghiệm: HOW TO WRITE AN OPINION ESSAY

English 12

A INTRODUCTION

I THE REASONS FOR RESEARCH

1 The logical choice.

Writing is one of the necessary skills to communicate, especially, in a world of mess media in which we are not only good at understanding information but also effective in presenting our thoughts through writing skill My research is just a little part amongst other numerous literary tasks.

2 The practical reasons.

English of High school curriculum is intended as a purposefully spiral ramp, which means students meet the same learning material three times with increasing difficulty during high school time.

If students master this, it does not matter Otherwise, it would be a big problem for them to continue their studies afterwards especially at university or at future work I have chosen this topic in hope to help students be more confident in writing essays at medium levels and then towards more difficult levels

II GOALS AND METHODS OF THIS RESEARCH

III PROVINCE OF RESEARCH

I have decided on this writing skill due to the Writing Part in the GCSE in 2015 and the writing lessons of English 12 This technique is supposed to be most material to every student who wants

to master their writing in higher levels, which are likely to be served useful purposes

IV RESEARCH SUPPOSITIONS

My studies attempt to ascertain the difficulties that students often meet with: they do not know how to make a suitable introduction

to each kind of essay or develop the topics to the essay body As a result, students simply follow what to be taught without brainstorming.

I intentionally supply students with a practical method in order to dispose of a characterized question of English writing.

V THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL BASIS

1 Theoretical basis:

English has become a world language People speaking English fall into one of three groups: those who have learned it as their native language; those who have learned it as a second language in a society that is mainly bilingual; and those who are forced to use it for a practical purpose administrative, professional or educational Vietnamese students are taught English as one of the core subjects besides literature and maths In order for Vietnamese students to be confident in using their English, teachers need not only to supply them with necessary language skills but also to motivate them in daily teaching activities

2 Practical basis:

Finding themselves without being able to write a meaningful sentence or a persuasive paragraph, most Vietnamese students tend to lose heart and hide themselves learning science subjects as a way of showing off! We have mislaid a large number of English potential persons We often blame for such poor contents of textbooks In fact,

we do not often pay special attention to teaching and are not enthusiastic enough to be a mine of information about all forms of teaching

VI IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

I began this research in school year 2013 – 2014 with 12A1 and 12A8, 2014 – 2015 with 12A5 and 12A8, and I am doing this research with 12A1 and 12A10 in school year 2015 – 2016 Year after year, the deeper the research, the better the results, which enables me to analyze details and essential features in order to conduct a grammatically and stylishly standard writing, which must be very helpful for my students to

do their writing test in the coming examinations.

B CONTENT

I REALITY AND CONFLICTS

For years English has been considered as one of the core subjects in the education syllabus, some of students are beginning to define the role of English in their further studies However, they find it hard to be satisfied with the materials from their English textbooks being used at school We are, the English teachers, not in the same outlook on the way to help students reach their potential language skills

If I chase after the tasks in the textbook, I often finish my lecture on time with a vague feeling that maybe my students can understand and do the same task in their real life Consequently, the way my students have done the same task disappoints me Otherwise, I

am short of time In order to solve the time problem, I am forced to give this lecture in double periods, which means I have to shorten the next lessons and I am genuinely motivated by the results from the writing test

II SOME SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

In order for students to improve their writing, I divide this writing task into two levels The low level reserved for the students who can distinguish the essay part and put the essay part into order For the students with higher level, they themselves can develop the ideas in each essay part based on the outline made out by both students and the teacher.

However, the first stage is to help students to have careful overview of the opinion essay, which lessens the pressure to face with writing too many words, too many ideas and too many points of view

And then I give students the step-by-step instructions to make the directing introduction and situation introduction, to establish the main body and conclude the essay.

CLEARLY:

- present the topic

- state your opinion

- present what to be discussed

- explain the reason why you think it is

an unconvincing viewpoint.

5

CONCLUSIO

N

- include clear transition words

- restate the main points using different wording

- possibly finish with a call to action

This essay will describe some of the problems

In this essay, I will discuss some arguments for and against

This essay will look at some of the arguments

analyze - look at - examine discuss - outline - consider describe - focus on - decide

HOW TO MAKE THE INTRODUCTION

There are many ways to make a good introduction; however, I have chosen the two possible methods for my students because these can be the root from which students highly develop their writing skill.

METHOD 1 : DIRECTING INTRODUCTION

Step 1 : to have a clear conception of introductory paragraph.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

State opinion Present the topic Present what to be

which means men build the house and women make it home

Men and women have different duties but lead to the same purpose.

Step 2 : to ask students to produce SENTENCE 2.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

State opinion Present the topic Present what to be

contributes to this of society.

It is in the family that support children’s physical and mental

development.

The sentence expected is “so people can say a family is a

base for the society ”

Step 3 : to ask students to produce SENTENCES 2 & 3.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

State opinion Present the topic Present what to be

a modern family

The sentences expected are “that is the reason why the size

of a family is becoming smaller and smaller This essay will discuss the reasons for this and provide some advantages and disadvantages ”

Step 4 : to ask students to produce the whole paragraph.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

State opinion Present the topic Present what to be

METHOD 2 : SITUATION INTRODUCTION

Step 1 : to have a clear conception of introductory paragraph.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

Present situation Other present situation The thesis

in town

but also in rural areas This essay will

discuss the reasons for this and how its disadvantages effect

on society.

Step 2 : to ask students to produce SENTENCE 3.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

Present situation Other present situatio n The thesis

However, the fact that families do not live with old parents is increasing.

The sentence expected is “ This essay will examine some of

Step 3 : to ask students to produce SENTENCES 2 & 3.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

Present situation Other present situation The thesis

is one of the programmers at school

The sentences expected are “ However, the situation is

different in Vietnam Most Vietnamese students do

nothing but focusing on their studies This essay will

provide some advantages and disadvantages of getting

part time jobs ”

Step 4 : to ask students to produce the whole paragraph.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

Past situation Present situation The thesis

have few children This essay will discuss the reasons

why the size of a family is becoming smaller ”

HOW TO ESTABLISH THE MAIN BODY

Although this kind of essay is called a 5-paragraph one, there are not always five paragraphs in each essay Paragraph 3 of the main body is written only when people need to explain more the reason why it is an unconvincing viewpoint.

Step 1 : to have a clear conception of main body.

Introductory

paragraph

In order to enjoy the happiness of the family, both the husband and the wife have to join hands, which means men build the house and women make it home Men and women have different duties but lead to the same purpose.

How to write

(not always necessary)

The topic sentence Explanation Transition

It is the money that supports the life of a family and ensures the stability of a family

However a family

is a living entity which needs both money and love.

The existence of the mother in a family

is very important not only because of the good meals, the orderliness from her

but also because

of her love, sympathy and support

which can strengthen the relationship among family member.

Step 2 : to ask students to produce SECTION 3 of paragraphs 1&2

Introductory

paragraph

The prosperity of family contributes to this of society Therefore, it is said a family is a base for the society It is in the family that supports children’s physical and mental development.

How to write

(not always necessary)

children are taught not only the natural virtues such as the sense of responsibility, the respect of dignity, tolerance and piety but also religious matters

they should be collected and educated by

parental educators so that they can fulfill their true potential.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is clear that the physical and mental aspects enable children to reach their complete value These well-educated children are active builders to contribute to society.

What expected is

Ⓐ→ “Like a plant which needs water and sunlight, mind is very

important to the development of children besides physical aspect” or

“Children cannot mature physically but emotionally”

Ⓑ→ However, not every child is covered with parental love owing to

war, deadly diseases and even their parents’ failure of marriage

Step 3 : to ask students to produce SECTIONS 2&3 of paragraphs 1&2

Introductory

paragraph violence happening at schools not only in town but In the past years there has been an increasing

also in rural areas This essay will discuss the reasons for this and how its disadvantages effect on society

(not always necessary)

The topic sentence Explanation Transition

Conclusion

To sum up, there is an expanding trend of violence to school However, the bad effects resulting from school violence on students themselves, on family and on society are possibly satisfactorily tackled if the people involved in pay some more attention to these.

What expected are

Ⓐ→ First, it is the increasing divorces that children lack of love

and care from their parents In addition to this, the curriculum at school seems not to focus on helping children gaining cardinal

virtues such as love, forgiveness and sense of honour Last but not least, students both male and female play computer games with too many fighting scenes.

Ⓑ→ One of the possible ways to combat the problem is to cover

every student with love and tolerance especially the child whose

family is disorder Secondly, there should be more lessons about

cardinal virtues rather than science lessons Finally students should

be taught how to manage their time.

Ⓒ→ students need be passionately cared for by their parents and

teachers in order to grow up in a balanced way.

Ⓓ→ A student needs to become a good civilian before an

intellectual civilian.

Step 4 : to ask students to produce SECTION 1 of paragraphs 1&2

Introductory

paragraph

Most countries in Asia, old parents live with their children However, the fact that families do not live with old parents is increasing This essay will examine some of the advantages and disadvantages.

How to write SECTION 1 SECTION 2 (not always necessary)SECTION 3

The topic sentence

However, that old parents live with children is not always smooth.

The first disadvantage involving

in financial problem The more people there are in a family, the more the expense is In addtion, the argument over educating kids between parents and grandparents may happen because of traditional and modern outlook.

Conclusion

As previously stated, the fact that children live together with their grandparents is fairly good Some financial difficulty or different standpoint may come about; however, these drawbacks can be easily overcome by the affection and sympathy from grandparents, parents and children.

What expected are

Ⓐ → To start with the advantages of old parents and children living in the same roof.

paragraph

In foreign countries, it is very common when students get part time jobs because it is one of the programmes at school However, the situation is different

in Vietnam Most Vietnamese students do nothing but focusing on their studies This essay will provide some advantages and disadvantages of getting part time jobs.

How to write

(not always necessary)

The topic sentence Explanation Transition

What expected are

Ⓐ → To begin with the application of theoretical knowledge to

realization.

Ⓑ → Apart from that, there is also a social advantage.

Ⓒ → In contrast, a part time job can cause some problems.

Or On the other hand, a part time job can result in some problems

Ⓔ → The students with a part time job can have a chance to

practise the knowledge that they have studied at school Therefore, they get much usefully practical experience during their time at

university.

Ⓕ → Taking a part time job is the time for students to accumulate some social skills For example, a student who works at a restaurant can learn many life lessons such as communication skill, persuasion skills and confidence.

Ⓗ → First, doing a part time job takes time Second, they attract so much importance to earning money rather than studies

Ⓘ→ However, the realization of knowledge is not the only

Or The realization of knowledge which is not, however, the only.

.

Step 1 : to have a clear conception of conclusion.

Introductory

paragraph

In order to enjoy the happiness of the family, both the husband and the wife have to join hands, which means men build the house and women make it home Men and women have different duties but lead to the same purpose.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

(not always necessary)

Transition word Restate the main

points using different wording

Finish with an outlook for the future

In conclusion, I would like to

stress that all these actions will make a family happier also help children grow

up in a loving and responsible

environment

And in the future they will be active doers for building the house or making it home.

Step 2 : to ask students to produce SENTENCE 1.

Introductory

paragraph

The prosperity of family contributes to this of society Therefore, it is said a family is a base for the society It is in the family that supports children’s physical and mental development.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

(not always necessary)

Transition word Restate the main

points using different wording

Finish with an outlook for the future

complete value

These educated children are active builders

well-to contribute well-to society.

The sentence expected is “ To conclude, it is clear that ”

Step 3 : to ask students to produce SENTENCES 1&2.

Introductory

paragraph

In the past years there has been an increasing violence to happen at schools not only in town but also in rural areas This essay will discuss the reasons for this and how its disadvantages effect on society

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

(not always necessary)

Transition word Restate the main

points using different wording

The sentences expected are “ To sum up , there is an

expanding trend of violence to school However, the bad effects resulting from school violence on students

themselves, on family and on society are possibly

satisfactorily tackled if the people involved in pay some more attention to these ”

Step 4 : to ask students to produce the whole paragraph.

Introductory

paragraph

In foreign countries, it is very common when students get part time jobs because it is one of the programmes at school However, the situation is different

in Vietnam Most Vietnamese students do nothing but focusing on their studies This essay will provide some advantages and disadvantages of getting part time jobs.

How to write

Topic

Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3

(not always necessary)

Transition word Restate the main

points using different wording

Finish with an outlook for the future

III WHAT TO HAVE ACHIEVED AFTER APPLYING THE RESEARCH.

1 I have systematized the details of writing an opinion essay into order like this:

HOW TO MAKE THE INTRODUCTION

1 Understanding conception statement great satisfaction

2 Use of language sentence building excitement

3 Use of language sentence building satisfaction

4 Use of language sentence building great satisfaction

HOW TO ESTABLISH THE MAIN BODY

1 Understanding conception statement excitement

2 Idea expression writing capacity more excitement

3 Idea expression writing capacity satisfaction

4 Idea expression writing capacity great satisfaction

5 Idea expression writing capacity great satisfaction

HOW TO CONCLUDE THE ESSAY

1 Understanding conception statement excitement

2 Use of language shape statement more excitement

3 Idea expression writing capacity more excitement

4 Idea expression writing capacity great satisfaction

2 The achievements I have recorded for the 3 school years are:

12A1 and 12A8 (school year 2013 – 2014)

(20-minute test)

Students’ points Less

More than 8 Testing

More than 8 Testing

12A1 and 12A10(school year 2015 – 2016)

(The Writing Part in 45-munite test)

Students’ points Less

than 0.5

0.5  1.0

More than 1 Testing

THE WRITING RESULTS THROUGH THREE SCHOOL YEARS

3 A value of the records

Because there has been some considerable change of the Writing Part since last year, so I have decided to evaluate the results of this research into two unproportional patterns of test: I had students

do the same 20 minute-writing test in school years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 and enclosed the writing part in 45-minute test for school year 2015-2016 For the reference classes, I followed the teaching process presented in the textbook And for the testing classes, I used this new technique Astonishingly, there were obvious differences in outlines, development of ideas and grammatical structures

The number of students with over 8 points to increase by year in spite of the fact that the reference classes were the better ones, which might show the effective angle of my technique Commonly the number of students who has got 8 points or more is rare while the number of students with the points between 5 and 7.5 is much more However everything in this school year is different, the number of students with 8 points or more outnumbers those with the points between 5 and 7.5 Furthermore, it can be inferred from the tables and the chart that the students with less than 5 points (or 0.5 point for school year 2015-2016) to be fewer and the desirable achievements could be felt during the class atmosphere and the activeness of the testing classes.

2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 612A8

12A8

12A1 12A10

C CONCLUSION

I THE MEANINGS FOR ENGLISH TEACHING

“The ultimate aim of all English teaching is for students to know ‘English’, or at least know enough English for whatever purpose they have in learning the language Within the productive skills (speaking and writing), we can say that students need to learn words and phrases or to express meanings in English; they also need to be able to produce basic structures correctly In speaking, this will involve learning the sound system and stress and intonation patterns.

In writing, this will involve in learning features of the writing system, such as spelling and punctuation We do not write in isolated sentences, they will also need to learn the ways of joining sentences

together in connected speech and writing…” H Widdowson (1978)

Teaching Language as Communication, Oxford University Press That

is the reason why I need to help students know not only by producing the language correctly but also using the language for particular purposes

II EXPERIENCES AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LESSON

Although having been teaching English for over 20 years, I always come up against quite a lot of problems from the different levels amongst classes and students As a result, I must obtain many techniques for the same teaching topic However, this technique satisfies me most for its effectiveness and simplicity I am going to use

it for the coming school years

III PROPOSALS

None

 Textbook of English 12 (2007) , Educational Publisher.

Oxford University Press.

MCMILLAN

Longman

University Press.

Achieve IELTS, Marshall Cavendish.

Cambridge University Press.

Pearson Longman.

Summit, Pearson Longman.

BE SURE TO AVOID THE FOLLOWING MISSTEPS

THE WHOLE ESSAY

 DON’T USE CONTRACTIONS (I’M/ WE DON’T/ WE’D …)

 DON’T USE COLLOQUIALISMS (WHAT’S UP?/ …)

 DON’T HAVE PARAGRAPHS

 DON’T USE THE SAME STRUCTURES, WORDS

 INSERT TWO MANY PERSONAL OPINIONS OR TWO MUCH INFORMATION

 KEEP ONE IDEA TO ONE PARAGRAPH

 PRESENT SIMPLE SHOULD BE USED

 BE CAREFUL WITH SECOND PERSON

APPENDIX 2 : CLARIFYING THE WHOLE ESSAY



Men build the house and women make it home

In order to enjoy the happiness of the family, both the husband and the wife have to join hands, which means men build the house and women make it home Men and women have different duties but lead to the same purpose.

Firstly, commonly men are considered as the people who bring home with money It is the money that supports the life of a family and ensures the stability of a family However a family is a living entity which needs both money and love

Secondly, a good family should be built on love , which comes from women The existence of the mother in a family is very important not only because of the good meals, the orderliness from her but also because of her love, sympathy and support

Notwithstanding the responsibilities

of each family member , the sharing with the jobs both domestic and social is necessary, which can strengthen the relationship among family member.

In conclusion, I would like to stress

that all these actions will make a family happier also help children grow up in a loving and responsible environment And in the future they will be active doers for building the house or making it home.

The topic sentence

State the problems

outlook for the future

A family is a base for the society

The prosperity of family contributes to this of society Therefore, it

is in the family that supports children’s physical and mental development.

To start with the physical aspect, children are brought up with enough healthy food and nice clothes.

Like a plant which needs water and sunlight, mind is very important to the development of children besides physical aspect

In the second place is the mental aspect: children are taught not only the natural virtues such as the sense of responsibility, the respect of dignity, tolerance and piety but also

child is covered with parental love owing to war, deadly diseases and even their parents’ failure of marriage.

In contrast, children without parents they should be collected and educated by parental educators so that they can fulfill their true potential.

physical and mental aspects enable children to reach their complete value

Writer’s opion

Transition word

The topic

The problems to be discussed

The topic sentence

In recent times, there is more and more violence at school

What are the causes of this? How to do with these problems?

In the past years there has been an increasing violence happening at schools not only

in town but also in rural areas This essay will discuss the reasons for this and how its disadvantages effect on society

The reasons for this tendency belong to family and school First, it is the increasing divorces that children lack of love and care from their parents In addition to this, the curriculum at school seems not to focus on helping children gaining cardinal virtues such as love, forgiveness and sense of honour Last but not least, students both male and female play computer games with too many fighting scenes Students need be

passionately cared for by their parents and teachers

in order to grow up in a balanced way.

Conversely, violence developing at school causes so many problems to students and society

One of the possible ways to combat the problem is

to cover every student with love and tolerance especially the child whose family is disorder.

Secondly, there should be more lessons about cardinal virtues rather than science lessons.

Finally students should be taught how to manage their time. A student needs to become a good

civilian before an intellectual civilian.

To sum up, there is an expanding trend of violence to school However, the bad effects resulting from school violence on students themselves, on family and on society are possibly satisfactorily tackled if the people involved in pay some more attention to these

(242-word essay)

The thesis

Present situation here

Present situation there

Explanation

of reasonsTopic sentence

Transition

Providing solutionsTopic sentence

Transition

Transition word

Restating the main points in different wording

Should students get part time jobs?

In foreign countries , it is very common when students get part time jobs because it is one

of the programmes at school However, the situation is different in Vietnam Most Vietnamese students do nothing but focusing on their studies.

This essay will provide some advantages and disadvantages of getting part time jobs

To begin with the application of theoretical

knowledge to realization The students with a part time job can have a chance to practise the knowledge that they have studied at school.

Therefore, they get much usefully practical experience during their time at university.

However, the realization of knowledge is not the only

Apart from that, there is also a social advantage Taking a part time job is the time for students to accumulate some social skills For example, a student who works at a restaurant can learn many life lessons such as communication skill, persuasion skills and confidence.

In contrast, a part time job can cause some

problems First, doing a part time job takes time.

Second, they attract so much importance to earning money rather than studies

As previously stated, doing a part time job can bring many advantages to stduent.

Notwithstanding, there should be a reasonable balance between academic and practical work

The thesis

Present situation there

Present situation here

Explanation Topic sentence

Transition

Providing solutionsTopic sentence

Explanation

Transition word

Restating the main points in

Topic sentence

Tôi xin cam kết Sáng kiến Kinh nghiệm trên do chính tôi viết,

không sao chép của bất cứ ai.

Châu đức, ngày 14 tháng 12 năm 2015

ĐINH HỮU PHÚ CƯỜNG

- THE END -

In contrast with cities like

The basic five-paragraph essay structure, which you have probably used many times by this point, works extremely well for an opinion essay It’s a starting point, and when you get to university your profs will expect a

more complex approach to essay writing If you feel confident about your essay-writing skills, you can certainly branch out into longer and more

complex essays But this basic five-paragraph outline is a good starting point, especially if you feel uncertain of your ability.

An opinion essay exists to prove your main point – your thesis This

should be clearly stated in your opening paragraph Don’t leave the

reader to guess what your position is on the issue – make a clear stand!

Next, develop your argument in the body of your essay Each paragraph

should contain a single, clear idea that support your point of view You can use examples and illustration, cause-and-effect reasoning,

comparison/contrast or other methods of development to support your argument.

Research: Any statements you make that would cause a reader to say,

“Wait, how do you know that’s true?” need to be backed up with

documentation from outside sources (“I saw something on TV about it

one time” would not be considered adequate documentation) Refer to the handout “What is Research?” for further details.

Remember that a paragraph is three to five sentences that develop a

single, clear idea A good paragraph often begins with a topic sentence

that sums up your main idea.

 Paragraph One The introduction Here you state the main idea of your entire

essay the point you are trying to make or prove This paragraph should include

your thesis statement plus three reasons why you believe this statement to be

true

 Paragraphs Two, Three and Four These are the body of your

essay Remember back in Paragraph One, you gave three reasons for your

opinion? Three reasons, three body paragraphs Each of the body paragraphs

should take one of your reasons and explain it in more detail, citing sources where

necessary

 Paragraph Five The conclusion Former Newfoundland premier Joey

Smallwood once said about giving speeches: "First I tell them what I'm going to tell them, then I tell them, then I tell them what I told them." That's how you write an essay In the conclusion, tell them what you told them Sum up your argument by restating your thesis statement and reminding the reader what your three reasons were In an argumentative essay, you can finish with a "call to action" tell the reader what you would like them to do as a result

Author’s Name

Paragraph One: Introduction

Three reasons for my opinion

Opinion Essays

An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing It requires your opinion on a topic, which must be stated clearly, giving various viewpoints on the topic supported by reasons and/or examples You should also include the opposing viewpoint in

another 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 You also include a paragraph presenting the opposing

viewpoint and reason why you think it is an unconvincing viewpoint; and a

c) conclusion in which you restate your opinion using different words You can also custom

d) Montre ancienne, un tas de notes: un groupe de collections de montres anciennes très enthousiastes, surtout célèbre pour montres originales, telles que Rolex et Patek Philippe est de devenir une cible de premier plan Strictement parlant, replique montre anciennes

ne devraient pas être désignés comme "antique" table, parce que selon la tradition le titre recommandé pour la locale Green Century est appelé "antique" du

• Linking words and phrases should also be used to join one paragraph with the other

Go to Exercises or go through with cheap essay writing service for some sample opinion essay ideas

In the second and third paragraphs we present our viewpoints and give

reasons/examples We present each viewpoint, with reasons/examples, in a separateparagraph

In the fourth paragraph we present the opposing viewpoint and give examples/reasons.Conclusion

In the last paragraph we restate our opinion using different words.

Other information

We usually use present tenses in this kind of writing and avoid using informal language

such as contractions (I've, she's) and colloquialisms (What's up?) etc We can use phrases like In my opinion; I (strongly) believe that; It seems to me that to introduce our opinion.

We can find opinion essays in newspapers and magazines as articles or letters to the editor,etc

Example

Mobile phones at school

Nowadays more and more students bring their mobile phones to school While I believethat students should carry mobile phones in case of an emergency, I am strongly opposed

to phones being used at school, particularly in the classroom

Firstly, many students travel to and from school without their parents Therefore, it isimportant for them to have a mobile phone in case they need help or have an accident onthe way to school or home

Furthermore, parents who work may need to contact their children For example, if aparent has to work late, the student has to be told if arrangements have been made for arelative or neighbour to look after them

On the other hand, nothing is more disruptive during a lesson than the sound of a mobilephone ringing or playing an annoying tune Moreover, students who send and receive textmessages in class are not paying attention to the lesson

In conclusion, I feel that students should be allowed to take mobile phones to school foruse in an emergency However, all phones should certainly be turned off during lessons

Tips and Examples for Writing

Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1 Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

 An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts,

evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience

 An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.

 An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an

evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based onthe evidence provided

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a

narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful toyour reader

2 Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss

in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence

3 The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper

4 Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis

statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facingcounselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds

The paper that follows should:

 Explain the analysis of the college admission process

 Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.

The paper that follows should:

 Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializingwith peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness

The paper that follows should:

 Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students

should pursue community projects before entering college