How to write an opinion essay – A2 English writing

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  • Exercises: 1 2 3

    How to write an opinion essay

    Exercise 3

    Complete the essay by filling the gaps with the words in the box.

    can – Finally – Firstly – hand – However – Most – often – Personally – should – sum

    At many schools, students must wear uniforms. However, this is not true in all schools and all countries, and some people believe that school uniforms are unnecessary. 1 , I feel that school students 2 wear uniforms for several reasons.

    3 , many students at non-uniform schools worry about what to wear. They don’t want their classmates to judge them, so they 4 feel they need to spend a lot of money on fashionable clothes. 5 , if students wear a school uniform, they have less pressure.

    Secondly, a school uniform can create a serious environment. 6 school uniforms look smart and professional. Wearing them helps students focus and work hard. On the other 7 , wearing casual clothes 8 make students feel like schoolwork is not important.

    9 , school uniforms help students feel like they are part of a group. Students can see who their classmates are and feel they are one of them. People in the community can also recognise the uniforms and tell the school if students are behaving badly.

    To 10 up, I believe that school uniforms are important because they put less pressure on young people, and they help to create a serious, hard-working environment and a friendly, helpful community.


     

    Exercises: 1 2 3

  • How to write an opinion essay

    In this A2-level English writing lesson, you’ll learn how to write an opinion essay step by step, including tips for organizing your ideas, using transition words, and making your sentences more accurate.

    Example essay

    After leaving school, young people should work before continuing their studies. Do you agree or disagree?

    When young people leave school, they must choose if they want to work or go to college or university. It is an important decision because it will have a big effect on their futures. Personally, I feel that it is better for them to work before continuing their studies, for several reasons.

    Firstly, a college or university education is very expensive in most countries. Students usually have to pay for their courses and books. Many students live away from home, so they also have to pay for accommodation, food and bills. Often, they get into huge debt. However, if they work first, they can earn money to pay for their studies.

    Secondly, work experience can help students decide what to study. For example, if a young person starts working in a shop or an office, after a few months, they may decide what they enjoy or don’t enjoy doing. This can help them choose a subject that will prepare them for the job they want. On the other hand, if they don’t work, they might spend time and money studying something that they won’t enjoy doing.

    To sum up, I believe that young people should get a job before they go to college or university because it will allow them to earn money and learn more about working life. That way, they will probably have fewer problems later on.

    ➪ Phrases for showing your opinion

    ➪ Phrases to structure an essay of opinion

    ➪ Phrases to show what is normally true or may be true. 

    ➪ Link words to show contrast

    ➪ Link words to introduce an example

    Structuring your opinion essay

    An opinion essay should have at least four paragraphs.

    The first paragraph is the introduction. Then, there are two or more main body paragraphs. The last paragraph is the conclusion.

    The Introduction

    Here, you should show that you understand the essay title by re-writing it in your own words. You can also mention why this topic is important. Then you should state your opinion.

    Look at the sample essay. In this sentence, the writer re-writes the title in different words.

    • When young people leave school, they must choose if they want to work or go to college or university. 

    In this sentence, the writer explains why this topic is important.

    • It is an important decision because it will have a big effect on their futures.

    Lastly, the writer gives an opinion.

    • Personally, I feel that it is better for them to work before continuing their studies, for several reasons.

    The main body

    In the main body paragraphs, you should explain the reasons to support your opinion. Use a different paragraph for each reason, and start your paragraphs with connectors like Firstly, Secondly… to show when you are moving from one reason to the next.

    • Firstly, a college or university education is very expensive.
    • Secondly, getting work experience can help students to decide what to study.
    • Thirdly…
    • Additionally / In addition…
    • Finally…

    When you give reasons, you can contrast the advantages and disadvantages of something. Use connectors like However or On the other hand to show a contrast.

    • However, if they work first, they can earn money to pay for their studies.
    • On the other hand, if they don’t work, they might spend time and money studying something that they won’t enjoy doing.

    It can also be helpful to include an example to support your argument. You can use connectors like For instance or For example to introduce examples.

    • For example, if a young person starts working in a shop or an office, after a few months, they may decide what they enjoy or don’t enjoy doing.

    The conclusion

    You can signal a conclusion with the words: To conclude, To sum up, or In conclusion. In this paragraph, state your opinion again. Then, briefly mention the reasons you have mentioned to support your opinion.

    • To sum up, I believe that … because …

    Stating your opinion

    In opinion essays, you should write about what you think. You can use phrases like:

    • Personally, I feel that…
    • In my opinion…
    • I believe that…

    Use should to give your opinion on what is right.

    • Young people should get a job before they go to college or university.

    Writing about what is normally true

    To make sure your sentences are true, you should avoid generalizations. To do that, you can use adverbs (e.g., usually, often) and quantifiers (e.g., many, most).

    • A college or university education is very expensive in most countries.
    • Students usually have to pay for their course and books.
    • Many students live away from home.
    • Often, students get into huge debt.

    You can also use the modal verbs can and may/might.

    • However, if they work first, they can earn money to pay for their studies.
    • … after a few months, they may decide what they enjoy or don’t enjoy doing.
    • On the other hand, if they don’t work, they might spend time and money studying something that they won’t enjoy doing.

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