ESSAY TYPE: OPINION

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Do you think...?

STRUCTURE:

Introduction:
● Introduce the general topic (optional)
● Paraphrase the statement
● State whether you agree or disagree and, if possible, briefly mention three
reasons

Body Paragraph 1:
● State Reason 1
● Give an explanation
● Give an example
● Write a concluding sentence emphasizing the point of your example

Body Paragraph 2:
● State Reason 2
● Give an explanation
● Give an example
● Write a concluding sentence emphasizing the point of your example

Body Paragraph 3:
● State Reason 3
 ● Give an explanation
● Give an example
● Write a concluding sentence emphasizing the point of your example
Conclusion:
● Re-state your opinion and briefly mention your three reasons
● End your conclusion with a recommendation, prediction, or expression of hope
(optional)

Sample:
Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the
same products anywhere in the world?
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
It is said that countries are becoming similar to each other because of the global
spread of the same products, which are now available for purchase almost anywhere. I
strongly believe that this modern development is largely detrimental to culture and
traditions worldwide.
Firstly, a country’s history, language, and ethos are all inextricably bound up i its
manufactured artifacts. If the relentless advance of international brands into every
corner of the world continues, these bland packages might one day completely oust
the traditional objects of a nation, which would be a loss of richness and diversity in
the world, as well as the sad disappearance of the manifestations of a place’s
character. What would a Japanese tea ceremony be without its specifically crafted
teapot, or a Fijian kava ritual without its bowl made from a certain type of tree bark?
Secondly, let us not forget that traditional products, whether these be
medicines, cosmetics, toys, clothes, utensils, or food, provide employment for local
people. The spread of multinational products can often bring in its wake a loss of jobs,
as people turn to buying the new brand, for instance, thinking it is more glamorous
than the one they are used to. This eventually puts old-school craftspeople out of
work.
 Finally, tourism numbers may also be affected, as travelers become disillusioned
with finding every place just the same as the one they visited previously. To see the
same products in shops the world over is boring, and does not impel visitors to open
their wallets in the same way that, to illustrate, trinkets or souvenirs unique to the
particular area do.
To sum it all up, some may argue that all people are entitled to have access to
the same products, but I say that local objects suit local conditions best, and that
faceless uniformity worldwide is an unwelcome and dreary prospect.

Giving examples in essays:

Below are some common phrases used to introduce examples. You should try to use
them in the same ways as shown below, with correct punctuation and positioning.

● For example, when children are dying from curable diseases in Africa,
governments and individuals in richer countries can save lives by donating
money.

In Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and sculptures in the
docks area of the city.

Take, for example, Canada, where the majority of the population is concentrated
in areas bordering the United States.

● For instance, on-line work, distance learning and shopping facilities are all
available via the internet

Artists and musicians, for instance, are known for choosing a career path that
they love, but that does not always provide them with enough money
● To illustrate, if a parent with dependent children could not find work and had no
other help, they would have little option but to resort to theft to prevent their
children from going hungry.

● Acute medical problems, such as accidental injury, often require more

conventional methods.

● The significance of English is enormous, namely in politics, trade and commerce

● Already many traditional skills are no longer passed on, and this is illustrated by
the rising consumption of convenience food among younger people

● Already many traditional skills are no longer passed on. A clear illustration of
this can be seen in the rising consumption of convenience food among younger
people

● The independence of living away from home is a benefit because it helps the
students develop better social skills and improve as a person. A case in point is
the fact that many students will have to leave their families, live in halls of
residence and meet new friends. (A case in point = a good example. Also: we can
say “A vivid example / A telling example / A striking example)