opinion essay exit 5 - heidi...

Opinion essay

Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014

Exit 5

Understanding the instructions

Opinion essay 2: violence on television

Plan an opinion essay

Focus on topic and task

Focus on the question

Focus on structure and content

Focus on connecting words



Focus on language of belief

OPINION ESSAY

Exit 5

Opinion essay 1: moving away to work

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 1 1

Focus on topic and task Opinion essay instructions have two parts. The first part tells you the topic:

Some people think that watching television news is the best way to understand world events, while others believe that reading newspapers is better.

The second part give the task:

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

You need to understand the topic and the task before you start writing.

Understanding the topic There are two usual ways to give the topic:

a. Two opposite views to discuss:

Some people think that watching television news is the best way to understand world events. Others, however, believe that reading newspapers is better.

b. A statement to discuss:

Looking after a pet helps children learn to be responsible.

Are these instructions a or b?

1. Some people think that success happens because of hard work. Others, however, believe that luck is the most important factor.

2. Diet is the most important factor in health.

3. The world is getting warmer. Some people believe that this is a result of human actions, while others think that it is a natural process.

4. Children learn languages much more easily than adults because they are not afraid to make mistakes.

Understanding the instructions

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 2

Understanding the task

Key language

A. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

B. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

C. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Underline the key vocabulary in instructions A – C and answer questions 1 – 5:

1. Which two vocabulary items have the same meaning? 2. Which two have opposite meanings? 3. Which one means how much? 4. Which one means write about? 5. Which one means that there are two things to write about?

Different instructions Some opinion essay instructions do not follow these forms. They may not use the word opinion:

Should children be required to do sports classes at school, or should parents have the right to decide if their children participate in sport?

This question has two views:

The task is the same as before. You must discuss both views and give your opinion on which is best. “In my opinion, parents…”

agree discuss to what extent

view disagree both opinion

View 1: children should do sports classes at school, with no option

View 2: children should do sports classes at school only if the parents want it

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 1

Focus on the question To get a Band 5 in Task Achievement, you have to understand and answer the

question, not write about the topic generally. You must read the question

carefully to find out exactly what the task is before you plan and write.

You need to read the words in the question carefully. Read this opinion essay question and answer questions 1 – 5:

Some people prefer to work in the place where they grew up, while others are happy to move to a location that offers better opportunities.

Which is the best choice? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own

knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

1. Underline the key words.

2. Which word is the opposite of some people?

3. Which word means the same as place?

4. What does while mean here: and/but/at the same time/because?

5. Is opportunity positive or negative?

Opinion essay 1: moving away to work

Opinion essay


Exit 5

You must identify the task. Read the opinion essay question in Exercise 1. What do you have to do? Circle the correct answer:

1. Discuss 1/2/3/4 views.

2. Give your opinion? yes/no

3. Give reasons for your opinion? yes/no

4. Give examples to support your reasons? yes/no

5. Write 150 or 250 words

6. Which is the best description of what you have to do, a, b or c?

a Write about why it is best to stay in your home town to work, explaining why it is wrong to move away.

b Write about whether you think it is best for people to work in their home town or move away, giving reasons and examples and also writing about the opposite view.

c Write about whether you think it is best for people to work in their home town or move away, giving reasons and examples.

Exercise 2

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 3

Focus on structure, content and connecting words You are going to study a model answer for the opinion essay question. It shows you an example of how to organize your ideas. If you study the model answer, you can learn how to write an opinion essay on any topic.

1. Look at the model answer. How many paragraphs are there?

2. Write the paragraph focus in the table:

Paragraph focus: conclusion introduction reasons for the writer’s opinion reasons for the opposite opinion

3. Circle the correct answers to questions a – o in the ‘sentences’ column:

Paragraph focus Sentences

1 a Number of sentences: 1/2/3/4/5/6

b Which sentence gives the writer’s opinion? 1/2/3

c Which one is the topic sentence? 1/2/3

d Which one tells the reader what to expect? 1/2/3

e Is the author’s opinion given clearly? yes/no

2 f Is there a topic sentence? yes/no

g How many reasons are given? 2/3/4/5

h How many examples are given? 2/3/4/5

i Is there an example for each reason? yes/no

3 j Is there a topic sentence? yes/no

k l

How many reasons are given? 2/3/4/5

How many examples are given? 2/3/4/5

m Is there an example for each reason? yes/no

4 n Is the author’s opinion given again? yes/no

o Are new reasons given or are they the same as

before? new/the same

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Model answer Many people nowadays choose to move away to work in another place rather than staying in their home town. In my opinion, it is better to move, but some people disagree. In this essay, I will look at both sides and give reasons for my opinion.

I have three main reasons for my opinion. My first reason is that that there are some jobs that you can’t do unless you move. For example, if you live in a town without an airport you cannot become a pilot. Secondly, working in a new place is very exciting. For instance, you can find out about a new city and a new culture, and you can make new friends. My third reason is that if you get experience working in different places it helps your career. For example, employers in some industries prefer employees who have worked abroad.

However, some people think the opposite. They say that in a big city like New York or Dubai there are many career options. For example, you can work in tourism or engineering. Secondly, they claim that you will miss your old friends and your family if you move away. For instance, you will not see your grandparents. Finally, they believe that you know a lot of people in your home town, and that can help you in your career. For example, your friend can recommend a good place to work.

In conclusion, I really believe that it is better to move away from your home and get a job in another place. I think that it is the best way to have the job that you want, to have an exciting life, and to succeed in your career . (283 words)

4. To get a band 5 in Organization, you must use a variety of connecting words. Write the functions of the connecting words from the model answer at the top of each column of the table:

Functions: giving your main opinion giving examples concluding putting your reasons in order ‘changing direction’

My first reason is that

In my opinion,

For example, [x4]

, but

In conclusion,

Secondly, [x2]

For instance, [x2]

However,

My third reason is that

Finally,

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 4

Write the connecting words in gaps 1 – 15 below. When you finish, use the model answer on page 7 to check.

Many people nowadays choose to move away to work in another place rather than staying in their home town. (1)________________, it is better to move, (2) _____________ some people disagree. In this essay, I will look at both sides and give reasons for my opinion.

I have three main reasons for my opinion. (3)________________ there are some jobs that you can’t do unless you move. (4)________________, if you live in a town without an airport you cannot become a pilot. (5)________________, working in a new place is very exciting. (6)________________, you can find out about a new city and a new culture, and you can make new friends. (7)________________, if you get experience working in different places, it helps your career. (8)________________employers in some industries prefer employees who have worked abroad.

(9)________________, some people think the opposite. They say that in a big city like New York or Dubai there are many career options. (10)________________, you can work in tourism or engineering. (11)________________, they claim that you will miss your old friends and your family if you move away. (12)________________, you will not see your parents. (13)________________, they believe that you know a lot of people in your home town, and that can help you in your career. (14)________________your friend can recommend a good place to work.

(15)________________I really believe that it is better to move away from your home and get a job in another place. I think it is the best way to have the job that you want, to have an exciting life, and to succeed in your career.

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 5

Punctuation of connecting words To get a band 5 in Grammar, you need to use good punctuation. Connecting words often have rules of punctuation that are easy to learn.

Copy the connecting words from Exercise 3 into the table:

Comma after connecting word Comma before connecting word

No comma

Notes: a. Use however to start a sentence, not but.

b. You can use for example or for instance in two ways: Some cars are very expensive. For example, Ferraris and Lamborghinis cost millions of dirhams. (At the start of a full sentence which includes examples, the comma is after For example.)

Some cars are very expensive, for example Ferraris and Lamborghinis. (When there is not a full sentence, the comma is before for example.)

Correct the punctuation in sentences 1 – 10:

1. I like travelling abroad in my opinion it is the best way to learn languages. 2. In conclusion watching too much television is bad for children and adults. 3. Green vegetables are healthy but I don’t eat them very often. 4. Many Chinese cities are huge for example Shanghai and Beijing. 5. Many Chinese cities are huge for instance Beijing has a population of over

twenty million. 6. In my opinion people should look after their children themselves. 7. My first reason is that, teenagers need to have a hobby. 8. In conclusion learning math is very important for our lives. 9. Finally there are not enough universities in my country. 10. I liked sports when I was young however I do not like them now.

Exercise 6

Opinion essay


Exit 5


Read the opinion essay question carefully and answer questions 1 – 8:

Television programs which show violence should be banned.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own

knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

1. Is violence a noun or an adjective? Is it positive or negative?

2. Does banned mean completely stopped, or reduced?

3. Underline all of the key words.

4. Do you have to include your opinion? yes/no

5. Do you have to give reasons for your opinion? yes/no

6. Should you give examples to support your reasons? yes/no

7. How many words do you have to write? 150/250

Opinion essay 2: violence on television

Exercise 1

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 2


Put the sentences of each paragraph of this model answer in order:

Introduction [number sentences 1 – 3] In my opinion, they should not be allowed, but many people disagree with this view.

Many programs on television include violent scenes, especially action and horror movies.

In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give reasons for my opinion.

Reasons for your opinion [number sentences 1 – 7] Finally, I think that watching violent films is a waste of time.

My second reason is that I really believe that a lot of children copy what they see on television.

For example, violent films show people dying, which is frightening.

I have three main reasons for my opinion.

For instance, they start playing with toy guns.

For example, you could benefit more from playing a sport or reading a book.

My first reason is that people who watch these programs may worry about their own safety.

Reasons for the opposite opinion [number sentences 1 – 7] Thirdly, they claim that watching violent films is good entertainment..

For instance, many parents do not allow their children to watch television after nine o’clock, when the violent programs come on.

However, many people do not agree with me.

For example, the X-men films are violent, but they are also very exciting.

Firstly, they believe that violence is not something we learn from television.

Secondly, they say that children cannot watch violent programs easily.

For example, there were murders before television was invented.

Conclusion [number sentences 1 – 2] We are responsible for bringing up our children to be peaceful adults, and it is time that we stopped wasting our lives watching this kind of program

To sum up, I strongly believe that they should stop showing violent programs on television.

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 3

Model answer Many programs on television include violent scenes, especially action and horror movies. In my opinion, they should not be allowed, but many people disagree with this view. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give reasons for my opinion.

I have three main reasons for my opinion. My first reason is that people who watch these programs may worry about their own safety. For example, violent films show people dying, which is frightening. My second reason is that I really believe that a lot of children copy what they see on television. For instance, they start playing with toy guns. Finally, I think that watching violent films is a waste of time. For example, you could benefit more from playing a sport or reading a book.

However, many people do not agree with me. Firstly, they believe that violence is not something we learn from television. For example, there were murders before television was invented. Secondly, they say that children cannot watch violent programs easily. For instance, many parents do not allow their children to watch television after nine o’clock, when the violent programs come on. Thirdly, they claim that watching violent films is good entertainment. For example, the X-men films are violent, but they are also very exciting.

To sum up, I strongly believe that they should stop showing violent programs on television. We are responsible for bringing up our children to be peaceful adults, and it is time that we stopped wasting our lives watching this kind of program. (253 words)

Underline the connecting words and expressions in the model answer and copy them into the table. Include the commas and capital letters. Can you add another one from Opinion essay 1 in the concluding column?

Putting reasons in order

Giving your main opinion

Giving examples

‘Changing direction’

Concluding

Opinion essay


Exit 5

Exercise 4a

Exercise 4b

Exercise 5

Focus on language of belief

Your beliefs

It is important to give your beliefs clearly. You need to show how much you believe in your opinion. The expressions in bold in the model answer show this. There are two verbs, think and believe. You can make them stronger with an adverb, for example: I strongly believe that…

Strength The verb believe The verb think

normal

strong

I believe that… I think that… I really believe that… I really think that…

I strongly believe that…

Look at the examples from the model answer and the table above and answer questions 1 – 3:

1 Which 2 adverbs make believe stronger? 2 Which adverb makes think stronger?

3 Do the adverbs go before or after the verb?

Three of these sentences are correct. Tick () them and correct the others:

1. I strongly think that Arabic is the most important language in the world. 2. I really think that nurses should be paid more. 3. I think strongly that the army is the best place to work. 4. I strongly believe that university should be free for everybody. 5. I think really that cigarettes should be banned. 6. I really believe that the problem is that children drink too much coke.

Other people’s beliefs

Fill in the blanks with three verbs from paragraph 3 of the model answer. Use these expressions to give other people’s beliefs:

They __________/__________/__________ that…

It is a good idea to use all three in your opinion essay, to avoid repetition and to help your IELTS vocabulary band.

Opinion essay


Exit 5

To get an IELTS band 5 in the Task Achievement and Organization sections: make a quick content plan and then follow the paragraph plan answer the question and write 250 words, using good connecting words

Content plan

My opinion

First reason + example Second reason + example

Third reason + example First reason against + example Second reason against + example

Third reason against + example

Paragraph plan

Paragraph focus Sentences

P1 Introduction 1 Topic sentence

2 Your clear opinion

3 Tell the reader what to expect

P2 Reasons for your opinion with examples

1 Topic sentence

2 First reason

3 Example

4 Second reason

5 Example

6 Third reason

7 Example

P3 Reasons for the opposite opinion with examples

1 Topic sentence

2 First reason

3 Example

4 Second reason

5 Example

6 Third reason

7 Example

P4 Conclusion 1 Your opinion again

2 Your reasons again

Plan an opinion essay

opinion essay exit 5 - heidi...

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