OPINION ESSAY

(Adapted from Successful Writing Upper Intermediate)

1. Read the following essay on airplanes.

What is the writer’s view?
 
The aeroplane is the most convenient  
means to travel  
 
 
Over the past few years, people have begun to travel to Introduction​:
Paragraph ​1
places they would have dreamt of visiting thirty years ago, a. ________________________
thanks to the possibilities offered by air travel. In my opinion,
b. ________________________
travelling by aeroplane cannot be compared with any other means
of transport.
To start with, there really is no faster way to travel. You can Main Body:
Paragraph 2 and 3
go from one country to another in а matter of hours which gives
a._________________________
you more time to enjoy the actual purpose of your trip, rather than
waste time travelling and dragging your luggage around. b._________________________

Furthermore, you always feel well looked after on an c._________________________

aeroplane. You are served drinks and meals and offered
newspapers and blankets which all help to make the journey more
comfortable and enjoyable.
Of course, there are people who argue that travelling by Paragraph 4
plane can be а nightmare, with delays, cramped seats and a._________________________
b._________________________
turbulence to put up with. What is more, aeroplanes and airports
are often targeted by terrorists, which make some people
think that travelling by plane is unsafe. They forget, however, that
the number of deaths caused by cars is larger than that caused by
planes.
In my opinion, air travel will always remain popular. Its Conclusion​
Paragraph 5
:

speed, comfort and convenience are hard to beat.

a._________________________
2. Read and identify topic sentences and
supporting arguments.

Space  exploration is much too expensive 
and  the  money  should be spent on more 
important things. 

What is your opinion? 

There is an argument that exploring space is a waste of money and that there are more
urgent needs to be addressed on earth, such as reducing poverty and preventing environmental
destruction. However, I completely disagree with this opinion for two reasons.

First of all, many of the technologies we take for granted today were originated thanks to
space research. Take satellite technology, for example, which we depend on for broadcasting and
weather forecasting. Without satellites, we would not be able to follow global events as they
happen, nor give populations any warning of approaching storms. Space research has also led to
the development of new lightweight materials that offer us heat protection and enable food
preservation. Therefore, the challenge of sending human beings into space has often driven the
development of new technologies that benefit our everyday lives.

Second, we cannot foresee the distant future, so we ought to develop the capability to
escape from the earth. Gradually, we are learning how humans can survive for long periods in
space and even travel to other planets in the future. If space exploration is halted, this valuable
knowledge will never be acquired. It is true that environmental destruction is also a serious issue,
but it is also true that we remain dependent on our environment if we never accept the challenge
of exploring other worlds.

In conclusion, while we undoubtedly face serious problems on our own planet, it is

imperative that we continue to explore space. This will promote further technological advances as
well as provide a possible means of escape should earth become uninhabitable in future. Ideally,
all nations should cooperate in the advancement of space research.
3. Re-read the introduction of the models above again. Which of these techniques are
used?

Techniques to begin your essay 

 
➔ Make reference to a strange scene or situation​: e.g. Some scientists believe that in the
future everyone will be genetically perfect.
➔ Address the reader directly​: e.g. Are you aware of any characteristics which you may
have inherited from your parents?
➔ Ask a rhetorical question​: e.g. Isn’t it amazing how some children look so much like their
parents?
➔ Start with a quotation​: e.g. “Genetics holds the key to the future”

4. Choose one of the model essays and re-write the introduction using a different
technique.

5. Useful Language

Linking words to include in your essay 

● To express opinion​: ​In my view-opinion / To my mind / I

strongly believe / It seems-appears to me that / From my point of
view / Based on my opinion / The way I see it / As far as I am concerned / I completely
(dis)agree with-that
● To list points​: In the (first) place / To start with / Firstly / Secondly / Thirdly / Finally / Lastly
● To add more points​:​ In addition (to this) / Furthermore / Also / Moreover / Apart from this /
What is more
● To introduce contrasting viewpoints​: ​On the other hand / However/ Even though /
Although / Though / Despite / In spite of / Nevertheless / Nonetheless / Yet
● To introduce examples​:​ for example / such as / for instance / like
● To conclude​:​ to conclude / in conclusion / as a conclusion / To sum up

➔ Can you spot the linking words used in the model essays above?
6. Work on the following link for further practice:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/intermediate-b1-writing/opinion-essay