Writing an opinion essay

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Live Life Happy. Flickr.com
We live in a fast-paced world, too fast for a lot of us. It is worth stopping and reflecting about ways to improve our lives before we get a heart attack! I find the quote on the left very inspiring, do you?

I'm writing this post for those of you who would like to practise writing your opinion or writing an argument. There is a model of how to write an opinion essay in your book Global, Unit 7 pages 88-89. I think you will find it useful.

Writing an article
In the exam you will probably be asked to write an article. What it means is that you will be required to express your opinion or present an argument on an issue. It is essential that you understand the task in order to decide what kind of argumentative essay you have to write (cause and effect, problem and solution, for and against, advantages and disadvantages).

In this task you will be required to present a strong position on a particular topic. Your purpose is to persuade the reader on your particualr point of view.

Task 1. Reading an example from your book
  1. Go to page 88 of your textbook Global "Adanced" and read "The best way to achieve good health".
  2. What kind of argumentative essay is this?
  3. Does the writer hold a strong opinion about the topic?
  4. Does the writer state very clearly in the introduction her/his opinion?

Task 2. Structuring an argument
Decide if the writer has structured her/his article following Structure A or Structure B.

Task 3. Useful language
In an opinion essay you will find the following language:
  • It is commonly / widely / generally acknowledged, believed, agreed that....
  • It is often claimed / suggested / argued that.....
  • All the evidence suggests....
  • Some people claim that .....while /whereas others claim / argue /defend that..... 
More opinion essays
If you would like to read and analyse more opinion essays, read write a five paragraph essay.

Preparing to write
1. Choose one title and write an article expressing your opinion:
What is the best way to find happiness / success / wealth?

2. Plan the following points:
  • What are you going to write in the introduction?
  • How many paragraphs are you going to write and what are you going to write in each paragraph?
  • What is your conclusion?

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