HOW TO WR IT E

A BALA NCE D
OP INION ES S A Y

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 ESSAY ORGANIZATION
Information about the topic
Thesis Statement
Ideas for/ against
Supporting detail 1
Supporting detail 2
Ideas for/ against
Supporting detail 1
Supporting detail 2
Concluding Sentence
Comments/ Opinion
In a “Balanced Opinion" essay 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) two bodies 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 consideration of the topic.
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 Sample Essay Questions
• Watching too much TV is bad for children. Write the ideas for and against.

• Smoking should be banned in public places. Write the reasons for and against.

• Healthcare costs should be paid for by the government. What are the ideas for and
against?

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Sample Thesis Statements and
Topic Sentences
Thesis Statements
• There are arguments for and against whether animals should be kept in zoos.
• There are arguments for and against whether watching TV is beneficial for children.
• Some people believe that smoking should be banned in public places while others think it
should be free.
Topic Sentences
• One argument in favour of animals being kept in zoos is that they are protected from poachers.
• On the other hand, some people claim that animals should be kept in their natural habitat.
 Sample essay
Customer service is the most important part of a successful business. What are the ideas for and against?
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Many new businesses start up every week, but only some of them become successful. There are a number of factors
which determine the success of a company. Some people would say that customer service is the key factor. Others
believe that a company’s product is the most important aspect of the business. There are arguments for and
against whether customer service is important for a successful business.
Some people state that many companies emphasize their customer service. The main reason is that customer
service is important for maintaining a customer base. In other words, if customers are happy with the service they
get from a business, they will continue to use that company. In addition, they will recommend it to others. As a
result, a business can build a good reputation and increase its value.
On the other hand, some people think that having a good product or service that people need is the most
important factor. A new business must decide on a product which will sell. This means timing is important:
introducing the right product at the right time. If a company does not have a popular product which is in demand,
there will not be much need for customer service. For example, Apple’s iPhone has been a success for ten years as a
result of innovations such as iTunes and touchscreen display.
In conclusion, there are arguments to support the importance of each aspect. However, I believe the most
important part of a business is having a good product or service which is in demand. Without this, a company
cannot survive.