WRITING GUIDE

AN OPINION ESSAY
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SHOULD CITY CENTRES BE TURNED INTO A CAR-FREE, PEDESTRIAN-ONLY ZONE?

WRITE 120-150 WORDS

1. BRAINSTORM YOUR ESSAY

Which of the statements below support a car-free city centre? Which are against it?

Fewer cars in the city means less pollution

If you own a car, you should be able to use it

Pedestrian-only zones encourage the opening of small businesses

Good public transport isn’t always available

Pedestrian urban centres attract tourism

Bad weather will prevent people from coming to the city

FOR AGAINST

Add your ideas to the list.

2. ORGANISE YOUR IDEAS INTO PARAGRAPHS

INTRODUCTION: General statement on the topic. Explain the idea. Take a stance for or
against.

 Nowadays/Currently, …
 It has always been said that…
 For years, people/cars have…
 Over the past X years/months, ….
BODY: 2 or 3 paragraphs. Each paragraph develops an idea. You can talk about its pros and
cons (e.g.: using electric cars: + good for the environment / - deaf people won’t notice them).

For each paragraph, give a reason to support your opinion.

 First of all, … / To begin with, …

 Second, … / Secondly, …
 … should/shouldn’t be allowed.
 I agree/disagree with… because…
 This is/isn’t a good way to…
 Most people would…
 The benefits/advantages of… are…
 The drawback/downside of… is…
 In addition, …

CONCLUSION: Summarize your ideas and repeat your opinion using different words.

 To sum up/In short/In conclusion, …

 In my opinion/view, …
 I believe/support…

3. WRITE YOUR ESSAY

SHOULD CITY CENTRES BE TURNED INTO A CAR-FREE, PEDESTRIAN-ONLY ZONE?
WRITE 120-150 WORDS
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