Giving Opinions

Opinion Essay
In an opinion essay you need to clearly state
your opinion, back it up with details and give
examples.
Some important tips to take in account:
● Choose one side and stick with that view throughout the essay.

● Remember that your opinion must be in the introduction, body paragraphs and the
conclusion.

● Showing the other side of the argument or concessions, helps to balance the essay.
However, this should be done carefully, because you still have to maintain your own
opinion and not contradict yourself.
When giving an opinion you can use these phrases:

● I think that…
● I hold the view that…
● In my opinion…
● In my view…
● I believe that….
● I firmly agree / believe….
Here are some phrases that can be used to balance the
opinion
Concession

Connector

My point of view
 Example sentences

1. I think that obesity is caused by over-consumption of fast food, although we should take into account the
issue of hereditary factors which are very real.

2. Serious crimes in my opinion need to be punished by long prison sentences, however,considering the
other side of the argument, this might not be effective in bringing down the crime rate so other measures
need to be taken.

3. I believe that children need lots of homework to test their abilities so they can get good grades, on the
other hand, there needs to be a balance of free time so they can play and explore with friends.

4. In my view, I think that working from home is better than working in an office. However , others might say
it is easy to lose motivation when working from home. For instance, getting distracted by watching TV or using
Facebook.

Conjunctions such as ‘Although’ and ‘However’ are very useful when you want to show contrast.
Key points:

When we give the other side of the argument, it is important to make your own opinion very clear in the
body paragraphs and conclusion.

Practice using these phrases in your writing and adapt them to your own style. Do not just memorise them
and plant them in the essay because the examiner will see that and you can lose points.

Let’s try to identify a topic

together...
 Are these points about Video games or Sports?
Circle the correct subject.
1. You can play basketball, water-ski or dance in your own room. Video games Sports

2. You can play them outside in the fresh air. Video games Sports

3.It's the best way to stay physically fit and healthy. Video games Sports

4.You can play them even when the weather is bad. Video games Sports

5.You can compete with people all over the world via the internet. Video games Sports
 And last but not least...
Make sure your sentences are complete.
Try to write as many sentences as possible
Use connectors to join ideas or contrast them as
well. Review your books in order to assess
grammar

Don't let your essay end like this

 Some reliable sources you can get info of:

Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, US Today, BBC, ABC,

FOX News, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, NBC, The
Economist
 Important dates
September 5th, 2019 (San Lorenzo,
August 13th, 2019 (San Lorenzo, Ciudad del Ciudad del Este, Encarnación). Students
Este, Encarnación). Students hand in the hand in an outline of the four-paragrah
news/topic they are going to write about. Also,
essay.
they hand in one paragraph summarizing the
information they researched about, why they
chose that news, and mention at least 3 reliable September 12th, 2019 (San Lorenzo,
sources. Ciudad del Este, Encarnación).).
Teachers give feedback about the step
above and students proceed to next step
August 20th, 2019 (San Lorenzo, which is writing the first draft.
Ciudad del Este, Encarnación).
Teachers give feedback to students September 24th, 2019 (San Lorenzo,
about the step above so they can start Ciudad del Este, Encarnación). Students
writing their essays Hand in First draft (Introduction: including
the background of the news), Body
(explaining and supporting the different
points of view), and Conclusion (personal
opinion). Teachers check all the first
drafts.
October 9th, 2019 - Teachers give Avoid worn out topics like abortion, gay marriage, drug
feedback and hand in the first drafts with addiction and such. They have been repeated so many times
corrections. already. There are many interesting and current news to write
about.
October 23th, 2019 - Students hand in
the second draft of their essays.
Teachers check these drafts.

October 29th, 2019 - Teachers hand in

the second drafts with corrections as
needed.
November 4th, 2019 - Students send the
final version of their essays to
accessparaguay@ccpa.edu.py.
You could instead talk about Women’s right upon her
body, LGBT+ people’s rights, drug consumption as a
casual social activity, as an entertaining method at
parties.

The students cannot choose to write about news that took place more than 6 months ago.