Unit 6 Academic writing

Opinion essay (discursive) about health

1 Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.

1 If you were going to try a different type of physical exercise, what would it be?
2 How could you change your diet to make it healthier?
3 Overall, which of these two would have the biggest impact on your health?

2 Read the essay question and model answer. Discuss the questions with your partner.
1 What does the exam question ask you to do?
2 How many opinions are expressed in the model answer?
3 How many of these are the writer’s own opinion (WO), and how many paraphrase the
opinions of other people (OO)?
Some people believe that physical exercise is the most important factor affecting human
health. Others argue that diet is the most important factor affecting human health.
Discuss both points of view and give your own opinion.

There can be few more important goals for most people than feeling well and being
healthy. One common belief is that the best way to achieve this is by doing regular
physical activity, such as running, in order to strengthen muscles and the heart.
However, many others are inclined to believe that what we eat and drink might be of
equal or even greater significance. Given the central role of health to human well-
being, this is an issue that deserves careful analysis.
Today, more and more people work in offices rather than doing manual labor. As a
result, it is often suggested that we should make a conscious effort to incorporate
physical exercise into our daily routines. There are obvious ways of doing this, such as
going to the gym or jogging, but there are countless less well-known options like yoga,
aqua-jogging, and Zumba, which means there is probably an activity suitable for every
age group, fitness level, and preference. And while there is persuasive evidence that
exercise improves physical health, a growing body of research appears to indicate that
it is beneficial for mental health as well.

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 On the other hand, the link between diet and good health is widely accepted. Medical
researchers seem convinced that certain foods, such as sugar, if consumed in
inappropriate quantities, can lead to a range of health problems from tooth decay to
diabetes and obesity. What is more, the evidence suggests that weight loss is more
easily achieved by modifying the diet than by a program of physical exercise. Finally, I
suspect from my own experience that eating healthy foods boosts energy levels and
may reduce anxiety and stress.
In conclusion, it is clear this is a complex issue with some conflicting evidence. Perhaps
the answer is to strike a balance whereby we adopt a daily routine that includes
appropriate exercise and a healthy diet. It may also be true that there are many
different aspects to health, and some might be better addressed through exercise and
others by diet, so the exact balance will depend on the individual.

SKILLS FOCUS: Giving opinions and referring to evidence

Many essay questions will require you to express opinions or to refer to the opinions
of others. Note that in academic writing you should avoid expressing strong personal
opinions, but you can use phrases such as I suspect …, it is clear …, it may also be true
…, in my view …, I feel that …, etc.
To mention the opinions of others or refer to evidence, you can use the following.
Passive structures:
● others are inclined to believe that …
● it is often suggested that …
● … is widely accepted
Other structures:
● one common belief is that …
● there is persuasive evidence that …
● a growing body of research appears to indicate that …
● researchers seem convinced that …
● evidence suggests that …

3 Articulating thoughts and ideas appropriately In academic writing, it is

important to use an appropriately formal style. Which of the following are
appropriate in academic writing? Find examples in the model answer.
1 acknowledging alternative points of view
2 using slang expressions and idioms
3 providing examples and evidence
4 establishing and clarifying the proposition
5 making categorical, emphatic, or absolute statements
6 using humor to grab the reader’s attention
7 organizing ideas clearly without repetition
8 having awareness of the purpose for writing
9 providing a conclusion based on the body of the text
10 expressing strong personal opinions
11 defining key terms or giving examples

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4 In academic writing, you should avoid making strong categorical statements that
might be simplistic or untrue. Look at these examples of tentative language for
academic writing. Find more examples for each category in the model answer.
1 quantity words: most, many,
2 modal verbs: might, could,
3 tentative verbs: appear, suspect,
4 adverbs: maybe, perhaps,

5 Work in pairs or small groups. The highlighted language in these sentences (1–5) is
either too categorical or too informal. Rewrite the sentences so they are more
appropriate for academic writing. Use the ideas in the Skills focus box and Exercise 4.
Example: There’s proof that taking supplementary vitamins tablets is a waste of time.
> There is little evidence from research to support taking supplementary vitamin tablets.

1 Doctors say smoking kills you.

………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 I think swimming is the only good way to keep fit and I don’t know why more people
don’t do it.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
3 Running isn’t fun and causes bad injuries.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
4 Thousands of beauty products are tested on animals every year.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
5 There’s a new diet trend every week and none of them work.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

6 Work in pairs. Look at the writing task. Discuss these questions:

• How will you organize your essay?
• What arguments can you think of to support both sides of the argument? Tell your
partner, using appropriate academic register and tentative language.
• What point(s) will you make in your conclusion?
Now write your essay in about 250 words.
Some people believe that wanting to appear attractive is part of human nature. Others
argue that modern society places too much importance on a person’s physical appearance.
Discuss both points of view and give your own opinion.

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