Overview
An opinion essay is a type of discursive essay that contains the writer's personal point of view on a chosen subject. It must also clearly state the examples or reasons to justify the writer's own opinion. This type of essay usually appears in both the IELTS and TOEFL iBT writing task 2.
Examples of opinion essay topics:
- Zoos are cruel to wild animals. Do you agree with this view?.
- Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on children. Do you agree or disagree?
- "Parents are the best teachers." Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
- It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.
- Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television has destroyed communication among friends and family. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Structure of an opinion essay:
- The introduction paragraph
- Body paragraphs
- The closing paragraph
Introductory paragraph
Clearly states the topic to be discussed , together with the writer's chosen point of view of a controversial issue.
Body paragraphs: Why your opinions are right?
Can use the popular 35553 template used in writing task 2 IELTS or TOEFL iBT, which has three paragraphs in the body. These three body paragraphs cover 3 points in favour of a topic or 3 opposing points . Each paragraph has 5 sentences and covers one point.
However, to make the arguments more convincing, the writer can choose to present his/her viewpoints in the first two paragraphs of the body. The final body paragraph is used to cover the opposing viewpoint together with an argument that shows it is an unconvincing viewpoint.
Final paragraph
Summarise/ paraphrase the writer's own opinion.
Notes:
- You can give strong thesis statement (overview of thesis statment) in the introduction paragraph, clearly state your's chosen point of view on the controversial topic.
- The IELTS and TOEFL iBT writing task 2 instructions do not mention the examiner as a academic reader. However, a discursive essay has to be formal. Therefore, you should avoid using informal style and strong language in an opinion essay.
- Avoid using over-generalizations and wordiness in a for and against essay.
Some useful expressions for giving opinions:
- I think
- To my mind/To my way of thinking
- I (firmly) believe
- It is my (firm) belief/opinion/view/conviction that...
- In my opinion,
- As far as I am concerned,
- It seems to me that ...
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