The aim of this essay is to answer a crucial questions...
Nowadays a lot of people say that...
Introductory Remarks
Developing the argument
The Other side of the
argument
The Balanced view
The Conclusion
Oppsoing thought
Examples
Another example
Instead of saying “There is
proof that…”
A problem that is often debated nowadays is that...
There is a wide variety of opinions about...
To start with, let us consider...
We live in a world in which history provides numerous examples of...
There is a widespread attitude nowadays that....
Let us start by considering...
Let us try to understand thoroughly....
The firs thing to be said about the topic under consideration is that....
Another way looking at this question is to...
The other side of the coin is that...
It is now time to discuss...
It would not be difficult to make out a convincig case for...
However, it should be pointed out that...
If one weighs the pros and cons....
The issue of....could be approached from a different angle...
This is a relatively minor problem, when compared to....
What conclusion can be drawn from...
The inevitable conclusion, therefore, is that...
In conclusion....
To conclude with....
However, it should not be forgotten (that)…
For example, a recent study by _________ showed…
Take for instance a recent study by the _____ that clearly showed…
There is ample evidence to suggest that…
Stating Your Opinion
In my opinion, According to me,

In my view, To me,

From my point of view, I think

It seems to me that I believe

From my perspective To my way of thinking

It appears that I suppose

I realize I understand

I imagine I feel
 
Giving Examples
For example, For instance,

such as In other words,

as like

that is namely

To illustrate To paraphrase
 
Comparing
Similar to As...as

in common also

Either...or In the same way,

Neither...nor At the same time

Just as resemble
 
Contrasting
However, But

On the contrary, On the other hand,

Differ from Nevertheless

Although Though

Otherwise Instead

Alternatively, Even though

Generalizing
Generally, Generally speaking,

Overall, On the whole,

In general, By and large,

It seems to me that I believe

All in all, Basically,

Essentially, As a rule,

All things considered For the most part

Expressing Certainty
Certainly, Undoubtedly,

Doubtless, No doubt,

Definitely, Of course,
 

Expressing Partial Agreement

More or less, To some extent,

Up to a point, Almost,

In a way, So to speak,

Showing cause
Due to Because

Because of Owing to
 

Showing effect

Therefore, As a result,

Consequently, For this reason,

Thus, So,

thereby Eventually,

Hence, The reason why

Marking time
First, Last

Second, Lastly,

Third, Then,

Firstly, First of all,

Secondly, Before

Thirdly, After

During While

To begin with At the same time

Simultaneously After this / that

Since Meanwhile

Afterwards Following this

When As soon as
 
Adding Information
Furthermore In addition

Also And

Moreover Similarly

Likewise As well as

Besides Too

Even What’s more

 
Expressing condition
If Whether

In case Unless

Provided that So that

 
Concluding
To summarize In conclusion

Lastly, Finally,

To conclude with, In short,

FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS
  
FORMAL                                   INFORMAL                                   
 
Name          Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Dupuis Hi/Hello Mary
Dear Mary Mary,....(or no name at all)

Previous Thank you for your e-mail of... Thanks for your e-mail.
contact Further to your last e-mail,... Re your e-mail,...
I apologise for not getting in Sorry, I haven't written for ages,but
contact with you before now. I've been really busy.

Reason for I am writing in connection with... Just a short note about...

writing I am writing with regard to...
In reply to your e-mail, here are...
Your name was given to me by...
We would like to point out that...
I'm writing about...
Here's the...you wanted.
 
I got your name from...
Please note that...

Giving I'm writing to let you know that... Just a note to say...
information We are able to confirm that... We can confirm that...
I am delighted to tell you that... Good news!
We regret to inform you that... Unfortunately,...

Attachments Please find attached my report. I've attached...

I'm sending you ... as a pdf file. Here is the...you wanted.

Asking for Could you give me some Can you tell me a little more
information information about... about...
I would like to know... I'd like to know...
I'm interested in receiving/finding Please send me...
out...  

Requests I'd be greatful if you could... Please could you...

I wonder if you could... Could you...?
Do you think I could have...? Can I have...?
Thank you in advance for your help I'd appreciate your help on this.
in this matter.  

Promising I will... I'll...

action I'll investigate the matter. I'll look into it.
I will contact you again shortly. I'll get back to you soon.

Offering help Would you like me to...? Do you want me to...?

If you wish, I would be happy to... Shall I...?
Let me know whether you would  
like me to... Let me know if you'd like me to...
 

Final Thank you for your help. Thanks again for...

comments Do not hesitate to contact us again
if you require any further
information.
Please feel free to contact me if
you have any questions. My direct
Let me know if you need anything
else.
 
Just give me a call if you have
any questions. My number is...
 line is...  

Close I am looking forward to...(+ -ing) Looking forward to...(+ -ing)

Give me regards to... Best wishes to...
Best wishes Speak to/See you soon.
Regards Bye (for now) / All the best

An example of an essay map

To show you what I mean, take a look at this outline of an essay. It contains 125 words: that is half of all
the words you need for an IELTS essay.

One of the most controversial issues today relates to ……………. In this essay, I am going to examine this
question from both points of view

On one side of the argument there are people who argue that the benefits of considerably outweigh its
disadvantages. The main reason for believing this is that …………………. It is also possible to say that …….One
good illustration of this is ………….

On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that in fact ……….. People
often have this opinion because …………… A second point is that ………..A particularly good example here
is…………..

As we have seen, there are no easy answers to this question. On balance, however, I tend to believe that
……………..
How to Write an Opinion Essay
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.
Introduction
Paragraph 1
state the topic and your opinion clearly
Main Body
Paragraph 2,3
viewpoint 1 & reason, example
Conclusion
Final paragraph
summarise/restate opinion
You may include more viewpoints, and thus more paragraphs in the main body.

For and against essays

A "for and against" essay is a formal piece of writing in which a topic is considered from
opposing points of view. You should present both sides in a fair way by discussing them
objectively and in equal detail. A good essay of this type should consist of:

a) an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed, without giving
your opinion;
b) a main body in which the points for and against along with your justifications, examples or
reasons are presented in separate paragraphs; and
c) a closing paragraph in which you state your opinion or give a balanced consid¬eration of the
topic.

Introduction
Paragraph 1
state topic (summary of the topic without giving your opinion)
Main Body
Paragraphs 2 & 3
arguments for & justifi¬cations, examples, and/ or reasons
Paragraphs 4 & 5
arguments against & justification, examples, and/or reasons
Conclusion
Final Paragraph
balanced consideration/ your opinion directly or indirectly

Essays suggesting solutions to problems

Essays suggesting solutions to problems, in which the problem(s) associated with a particular
issue or situation are analysed and possible solutions are put forward, together with any expected
results/consequences. The writer's opinion may be mentioned, directly or indirectly, in the
introduction and/or conclusion.

A successful essay of this type should consist of:

a) an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the problem, what has caused it, and the
consequences.
b) a main body in which you present several suggested solutions, each in a separate paragraph
together with its consequences/results and
c) a conclusion in which you summarise your opinion.
Introduction
Paragraph 1
state the problem and its cause(s)/consequence(s)
Main Body
Paragraph 2,3
suggestion 1 & result
Conclusion
Final Paragraph
summarise your opinion