Opinion Essay

Question: There is nothing that young people can teach old people.

To which extent do you agree or disagree with the statement.

Word count: Write at least 250 words.

Less – you didn’t elaborate enough

Over 320 – beating round the bush/didn’t choose the right words

Sweet spot – 280 words

The opinion essay has a subjective tone and isn’t balanced at all as demonstrated in the structure for
the main body. You achieve that by using the phrases below. You shouldn’t overdo it, using them 3 or
4 times will be enough.

Opinion phrases Extent phrases

I think completely

In my opinion somewhat

From my point of view partially

I prefer I doubt

I agree

In my view

As I see it
Brainstorming: Write down anything that comes to mind. After that organize the ideas into two
paragraphs following the structure below:

Notes:
Topic - Advances in the new world
Argument - Using technology/electronics
Example - Internet
Argument - Languages
Example - Movies

Topic - Social changes

Argument - Equality
Example - Gender /Race equality
Argument - Mental health
Example - Depression

You have two options for the introduction, a short version or a long one. The short one is on point and
leaves more room for more sentences in the main body. The long one puts the topic into context and
gives way to more variety in terms of grammar and vocabulary. The paraphrase is a sentence where
you retell the question with synonyms – different words, same meaning. The thesis sentence is the
one that connects the introduction to the main body and announces to the reader what to expect.

Short introduction 40 words

- Paraphrase Most people believe that the youth cannot teach the elderly about anything in
the world.
- Thesis sentence I strongly disagree with that idea mostly because of the influence
they could have in two major topics, the technological advances and the
social changes taking place at the moment.

Long introduction 65/70

- General sentence The world has changed drastically in the last 50 years as a result of the
progressive ideas in science and social sciences.
- Specific sentence People who were used to a different, simple lifestyle are struggling to keep pace
with the modern way of living.
- Paraphrase Most people believe that the youth cannot teach the elderly about anything in
the world.
- Thesis sentence I strongly disagree with that idea mostly because of the influence
they could have in two major topics, the technological advances and the
social changes taking place at the moment.
Introduction

Short introduction 35/40 Long introduction 65/70

- Paraphrase - General sentence

- Thesis sentence - Specific sentence

- Paraphrase

- Thesis sentence

Main Body

Ideally you should write 2 well elaborated paragraphs leaning only on one side, you either agree or
disagree in both of them. However, you can write an optional third paragraph focused on the other
side if you’re below the word count. Try to avoid it.

1. + 1. -

2. + 2. -

3. Optional - 3. Optional +

Paragraph 1 – 90 words

Topic sentence/Advances in the new world

Argument/ Using technology/electronics
Example/Internet
Argument/Languages
Example/Movies

Paragraph 2 – 90 words

Topic sentence/ Social changes

Argument/Equality
Example/ Gender /Race equality
Argument/ Mental health
Example/ Depression

Conclusion – 30/40 words

Summary
Recommendation
Choose one of the following topics.

1. Parents are the best teachers. To which extent do you agree or disagree. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.

2. Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon be no role for the
teacher in education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?