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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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