Presentation by Railya Alkhamova, September 2011

Opinion essays are pieces of writing in which we present our personal opinions on a particular topic.

When we write an opinion essay we usually divide it into five paragraphs.

Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Paragraph 5 Credit Cards Should Replace Cash Nowdays many people are using credit cards instead of cash. While I adree that they can be very useful when travelling or in cash of emergency. I believe that credit cards encourage people to overspend and buy unnecessary things. Firstly, credit cards make it too easy for us to buy things we cant afford. Therefore, when you use your credit card to buy something that you dont have the money for, you end up in debt. In addition, credit card companies often charge high fees and interest rates. As a result, if you dont pay off your credit card bills at the end of every month, you can end up paying a lot more than the price of your purchases. On the other hand, a credit card can be very helpful, for instance, if your car breaks down or if you have an unexpected purchase to make. Also, it can help you pay your bills if you lose your job or need private medical care. In conclusion, I feel that credit cards should not replace cash because you can very easily get into debt. However, in emergency situation they can be very useful.

We introduce the topic and the our opinion clearly. Nowdays many people are using credit cards instead of cash. While I adree that they can be very useful when travelling or in cash of emergency. I believe that credit cards encourage people to overspend and by unnecessary things. Paragraph 1

We present our viewpoints justifying them with examples and reasons. We should start a new paragraph for every different view point we present. Firstly, credit cards make it too easy for us to by things we cant afford. Therefore, when you use your credit card to buy something that you dont have the money for, you end up in debt. In addition, credit card companies often charge high fees and interest rates. As a result, if you dont pay off your credit card bills at the end of every month, you can end up paying a lot more than the price of your purchases. Paragraph 2 and 3

We write the opposing viewpoint justified by examples and/or reasons. On the other hand, a credit card can be very helpful, for instance, if your car breaks down or if you have an unexpected purchase to make. Also, it can help you pay your bills if you lose your job or need private medical care. Paragraph 4

In the last paragraph, we restate our opinion using different words. In conclusion, I feel that credit cards should not replace cash because you can very easily get into debt. However, in emergency situation they can be very useful. Paragraph 5

We normaly use present tenses in opinion essays and appropriate linking words/phrases to list and support our viewpoints and to introduce the opposing viewpoints.

Opinion essays are ussually written in formal or semi-formal style. Therefore, we do not use short forms, colloquial expressions or personal examples.

Introduction (Para 1) introduce the subject and state your opinion clealy Main Body (Para 2) your first viewpoint and reasons / examples (Para3) your first viewpoint and reasons / examples (Para4) opposing viewpoint and reasons / examples Conclusion (Final Para) restate your opinion using different words

Lets practise 12

Fill in the gaps in the sentences below. In my opinion / I strongly believe / I strongly disagree / I am totally against / I agree with 1. In my opinion all drivers should be retested every five years. 2.I strongly believe that people in wheelchairs should have access to all forms of public transport. 3.I agree with the proposal to ban smoking in hospitals and schools. 4.I strongly disagree with the governmants decision to reduce pensions. 5. I am totally against the distruction of the rainforists. 1.I agree with I strongly disagree I am totally against. 5.Anything ? ? ? ? ?

Match the viewpoints below to their reasons / examples. There are two justification for each viewpoint. Viewpoints Reasons / Examples A It would create employment opportunities. B People would spend less time with there families. C It would give busy people more time. D We dont need longer opening hours. 1. People would have an extra day in which to shop. 2. We already have 24-hour TV shopping channels and Internet shopping. 3. Sunday is often the only day yhat working parents have free to spend with their children. 4. Shops would need to hire more staff to work on Sunday. 5. People could choose when to shop and avoid the crowds. 6. Retailers could offer their parf-time employees more hours. 7. We need to find more creative ways of spending our time. 8. People would choose to go shopping instead of visiting relatives

Match the viewpoints below to their reasons / examples. There are to justification for each viewpoint. Viewpoints Reasons / Examples A It would create employment opportunities. B People would spend less time with there families. C It would give busy people more time. D We dont need longer opening hours. 1. People would have an extra day in which to shop. 2. We already have 24-hour TV shopping channels and Internet shopping. 3. Sunday is often the only day yhat working parents have free to spend with their children. 4. Shops would need to hire more staff to work on Sunday. 5. People could choose when to shop and avoid the crowds. 6. Retailers could offer their parf-time employees more hours. 7. We need to find more creative ways of spending our time. 8. People would choose to go shopping instead of visiting relatives

Verginia Evance, Neil OSullivan Click on 4 - Workbook – Express Publishing