Opinion

WRITING OPINION ESSAY
SKILLS
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
mAn opinion essay is a formal essay in which we present our opinion on a particular topic.
mWe should always start the main body paragraphs with a topic sentence that summarises
what the paragraph is about.
mOur opinion should be stated clearly and supported by justifications.
mThe opposing viewpoint should also be presented in a separate paragraph.
mWe usually write two paragraphs to support our opinion. However, we write one
paragraph about other people’s opinion (opposing viewpoint).
mOpinion essays are normally written in a formal style.
You should use:

passive voice, impersonal constructions… (it is argued that… it is a common belief that…)
A range of advanced vocabulary (heated debate concerning the controversial issue…)
Formal linking words/phrases (furthermore, nonetheless…)
Complex sentences with a variety of links, dependent clauses…
Inversion, especially in conditionals (Were this true, we would… never has this been more
obvious…)
You should not use:
Short forms except when these are part of a quotation
Colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs, idioms, imperatives
Simplistic vocabulary
A series of short sentences
Simple linking words except for variety
PLAN for OPINION ESSAYS
Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Paragraph 5

Introduce the 1st viewpoint with 2nd viewpoint with opposing Summarise all the
topic & state your reasons/ reasons/ viewpoint with points & restate
opinion clearly examples/ results examples/ results reasons/ your opinion
examples/ results
Introductory phrases
It is a well-known fact that… While it might be true that …
It is an undeniable fact that… It is generally agreed that …
It is a common belief that … It is widely believed that …
It is common knowledge that… There are those who argue that …
There has been a great deal of heated debate Some people point out that …
about…
It could be argued that …
Techniques for beginnings and endings

The first paragraph may:
mMake reference to an unusual or striking idea / scene/ situation (Some scientists believe that in the future
everyone will be genetically perfect).
mAddress the reader directly (Are you aware of any characteristics which you may have inherited from your
parents?) or ask rhetorical question -question to which no answer is expected- (Isn’t it amazing how some
children look so much like their parents?)
mStart with a quotation or thought-provoking statement (“Genetics holds the key to the future”)
The last paragraph may:

mState a personal opinion (I am convinced that…)
mGive the reader something to consider (Perhaps the world would be a safer and more efficient place if
everyone was genetically perfect.)
mEnd with a quotation (“Genetics holds the key to the future”), or a rhetorical question (What will they think of
next?)
USEFUL LANGUAGE in detail
Giving opinion Listing viewpoints Introducing opposite viewpoints
I (strongly/ firmly) believe that … Firstly However

I am inclined to believe that First of all, … On the other hand
To my way of thinking First and foremost, … Conversely
It appears to me that … To begin/ start with … In spite of/despite
As far as I’m concerned In the first place, … As opposed to
I could not agree/ disagree more Secondly … On the contrary
I am (not) convinced that… Moreover Nonetheless
It is my firm conviction/ belief that… Furthermore Nevertheless
I am of the opinion that … In addition to this In contrast with/to
Although I am in two minds about … Besides(this/that) Despite the fact that
It strikes me that… Not to mention the fact that Alternatively
To my mind, … Apart from… Despite the argument that…
From my point of view… Equally It is argued that
I’m totally against… In the same way, Opponents of this view say
From my standpoint… Similarly, Contrary to what most people
From my viewpoint… Additionally say
From my perspective … Likewise, …
In my humble opinion… What is more, …
I consider
In my judgement
Introducing reasons/ examples Introducing results Concluding
For example/For instance Therefore All things considered

In particular/particularly As a result/ consequence … All in all,
In this way Consequently To sum up
Especially In this way In conclusion
Because/as/since The effect/outcome/result of… would be To conclude,
More specifically, … … Taking everything into account
A striking/typical example of … is … This means that From what has been presented,
This is clearly illustrated by … This measure would result in … one might conclude that…
On balance
Last, but not least, …

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WRITING OPINION ESSAY

mThe opposing viewpoint should also be presented in a separate paragraph.

You should use:

Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Paragraph 5

Techniques for beginnings and endings

The last paragraph may:

USEFUL LANGUAGE in detail

Giving opinion Listing viewpoints Introducing opposite viewpoints

I (strongly/ firmly) believe that … Firstly However

Introducing reasons/ examples Introducing results Concluding

For example/For instance Therefore All things considered

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