B1 WritingB1 Intermediate

Writing an opinion essay – Tips, structure, examples, exercises

Exercise 2

Exercises:1 2 3

Check the ‘Explanation’ tab above before doing these exercises. Complete each gap with one word from the box below.

Should teenagers have mobile phones?

Twelve-year-old kids usually know a lot about mobile phones. By that age, they have been using their parents' phones for some time, and in most cases, they already have a phone or are crazy about getting one. 1, many parents are not sure if it is OK for kids to have a phone. In 2, there are many reasons why a teenager should have a mobile phone.

3 of all, having a mobile phone may teach your child to be more responsible. Smartphones are expensive items, and teenagers have to learn to take care of them and make sure they don't get damaged or lost. 4, parents may make their teens work to save money for the phone. In this way, they can also learn about the cost of things.

5, a mobile phone is the best way to keep track of your teens when they are out. 6, if your teen has gone to a concert or a party, you can tell them to text you 7 you don't have to worry too much. 8, they can call you for help in case of an emergency.

9, I 10 teenagers should be allowed to have mobile phones because these devices can teach them about responsibility, and also they will allow parents to stay in touch with them in case of need.

Next Exercise

Writing an opinion essay

When you write an opinion essay, you must say what you think about a topic and try to convince the reader of your point of view on that topic. To do that, you should first introduce the topic and state your opinion. Then, you should give three reasons that support your view, and finally, you should write a conclusion where you summarise your arguments and repeat your opinion using different words.

Plan your ideas

The first thing you need to do is decide whether you agree with the question or statement and then make a list of two or three reasons that support your opinion, including some facts and/or examples. Here is an example:

Top sports players are paid too much

Opinion: I disagree.

Reason 1: Their careers are very short.
- Fact 1: their careers usually end in their 30’s.
- Fact 2: sometimes, they are even shorter because of injuries.
Reason 2: They lose their privacy.
- Fact 1: Constantly followed by journalists and fans.
- Fact 2: Now, everyone uses their phones to take photos and publish them.

Organise your text

An opinion essay has three parts:

Introduction
Arguments or reasons that support your view.
Conclusion

Introduction. Paragraph 1

Introduce the topic and give your opinion. Say whether you agree or disagree with the statement or question. It can be a good idea to use a question to grab the reader’s attention. Check the two examples below:

Nowadays, top sportspeople, such as football players or basketball players, have huge salaries, and this promotes a lot of debate. However, I don’t think they earn too much. In my opinion, their salaries are fair.

How often have you heard a friend or a colleague complain about the excessive salaries of professional sports players? But do they really earn too much? I don’t think they earn too much. I truly believe their salaries are fair.

Arguments. Paragraph 2

Give the first argument to support your opinion. Include at least two facts or examples to show that your reason makes sense. Check this example:

Firstly, Despite all the money professional sports players earn every year, they work for only a few years – they usually retire when they are in their thirties. In addition, many of them have to retire earlier because they get injured and have to stop playing.

Arguments. Paragraph 3

Give more reasons and again provide examples, facts or supporting ideas. For example:

Secondly, sports stars are celebrities, and all celebrities lose their privacy. Journalists, paparazzi and fans follow them everywhere, and they want to get pictures or talk to them all the time. Moreover, now anyone can take photos with their mobile phone and publish them at any moment on their social media accounts.

Conclusion. Paragraph 4

Summarise your ideas and repeat your opinion.

To sum up, I believe top professional sports players have the salaries they deserve because their careers are short and because during those years, their personal lives are affected by their popularity.

Useful language

Sequencing your text

Use connectors to sequence and structure your ideas:

Firstly/First of all, …
Secondly/Thirdly, …
Finally, …

Adding more points or ideas

Use connectors to introduce additional ideas:

In addition, …
Moreover, …

Giving your opinion

Expressions you can use to say what you think:

In my opinion, …
In my view, …
I think/feel that …
I (truly) believe that …
I am convinced that …
I agree that …
I disagree with/about …

Introducing examples

Use connectors to introduce examples:

For example, …
For instance, …

Expressing contrast, purpose and reason

You may also need or want to use some connectors of contrast, purpose and reason.

Contrast: although, however, despite, etc.
Purpose: to, in order to, so that, etc.
Reason: because (of), since, due to, etc.

Introducing your conclusion

Use connectors to introduce the conclusion:

In conclusion, …
To sum up, …

Ready to practice?

Put your knowledge to the test with interactive exercises (3 exercises available).