This document provides guidance on writing an opinion essay or a for and against essay. It discusses including an opinion in the introduction and conclusion, organizing the essay into paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting details in each, and using transitions to link ideas. Tips are provided on engaging the reader, expressing opinions and facts, giving reasons, and concluding by summarizing without new ideas. The writing process of planning, drafting, and improving is also outlined.

1. An opinion essay
Opinion essay:in an opinion essay the writer states his opinion and supports it with facts, evidence and examples.
The writer’s opinion must be included in the introduction, and summarised or restated in the conclusion.
Organise your essay into clear paragraphs:
 Introduction: Present the topic and mention your opinion briefly.
 Body: paragraphs2,3…. For each paragraph givea reason or an example to supportin detail your pointof view about the topic.
 Conclusion: Summarize your ideas and repeat your opinion usingdifferent words .
SOME TIPS:
Before you start writingitis absolutely essential to make a clear ordered plan (on paper or in your head) and stick to it
as far as possiblewhen you are writing.If you get confused your reader will too.
Use a quotation or a question in the INTRODUCTION to get the readers ‘attention.
Examples:
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. “Malcolm X.
“The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don't really even notice it, so it's part of everyday
life” Bill Gates.
America takes pride in its shooting culture, but should children be allowed to use guns at an early age?
Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence that the writer goes on to explore in further detail in the rest of the
paragraph,either by givingexamples,an extra explanation,a judgement or a mixture of them all.
In the body, to introduce your opinion and give reasons you may want to use some of these expressions:
EXPRESSING OPINIONS
In my opinion,…. En mi opinión…
Personally,I think/ I believe (that)… Personalmente, creo que…
I strongly believe that…. Creo firmemente que…
It is clear (to me) that… Me parece evidente que…
I feel very strongly that… Siento firmemente que…
I (completely) agree/disagreewith … Estoy (totalmente) de acuerdo/ en desacuerdo con….
It seems to me that… Me parece que..
As I see it, … Como yo lo veo…
To my mind…. En mi opinión,…
From my point of view, …. Desde mi punto de vista,…
As far I am concerned, … En cuanto a lo que a mí respecta,…
I am sure/ convinced that … Estoy seguro / convencido de que…
I (dis)agreewith the statement, because… Estoy de acuerdo/ en desacuerdo con la afirmación
porque…
GIVING REASONS
My main reason is…. Mi razón principal es..
Another reason is… Otra razón es…
One reason for… is …. Una razón para…. es….
Many people say/ believe that… Mucha gente dice/ piensa que..
Because… Porque…
Since… Puesto que/ ya que…
Because of/ due to… Debido a…
EXPRESSING FACTS
It is widely known that… Es ampliamente conocido que..
It is a well-known factthat … Es un hecho bien conocido que…
Research has shown that… La investigación ha demostrado que…
There are definitely… Definitivamente hay…
It is a factthat… Es un hecho que…
It is clear/ truethat… Está claro que/ es verdad que…
For example/ for instance,... Por ejemplo,…

2. ADDING IDEAS
What is more,… Y lo que es más,..
Moreover/ furthermore/ in addition (to) Además,…
Apart from (that)… Aparte de…
Firstly,… En primer lugar,…
Firstof all,… En primer lugar,…
Secondly,.. En segundo lugar,..
Thirdly,… En tercer lugar,..
Lastly,… Por último,..
Finally,… Finalmente,…
EXPRESSING CONTRAST (LINKERS OF CONTRAST)
ALTHOUGH Although I was feeling depressed, I went to the party.
DESPITE Despite the rain, I went to the party.
Despite feeling depressed, I went to the party.
IN SPITE OF In spite of the rain, I went to the party.
In spite of feeling depressed, I went to the party.
WHEREAS Adults can make their own decisions, whereas
teenagers have to do what other people tell them.
HOWEVER Mike is a very good singer. However, he can’t play any
instruments.
ON THE ONE HAND….. ON THE OTHER HAND On the one hand, they are extremely rich. But on the
other hand, they have lots of debts.
EXPRESSING PURPOSE (LINKERS OF PURPOSE)
We uselinkers of purpose to introduce reasons:
SO (THAT) (para) I have brought a microphone so that the audience will
be able to hear us.
IN ORDER TO ( para) We need to register with the council in order to vote.
TO (para) I am phoning to ask information aboutthe event.
To conclude the essay:
CONCLUDING THE ESSAY
TO SUM UP,…
ALL IN ALL,…
IN CONCLUSION,…
IT IS CLEAR THAT…
IN SHORT…
Remember not to add any new ideas in the conclusion. You should summarise or rephrase them.
You can usea question after your conclusion
“Definitely under eighteens should be protected from all forms of violence, including gun access. And as for the critical
voices against gun control, what are they going to say about the occasional massacre in a high school?”

3. A for and against essay 
This can be similar to an opinion essay,although itis less personal: remember that here you are asked to give arguments for and
against the topic, so you should try to give equal weight to both and make sure your final decision is a well-balanced
consideration of the points you have outlined. The basic format should be:
INTRODUCTION ARGUMENTS IN
FAVOUR
ARGUMENTS AGAINST Weighing up the points
outlined and coming to
a CONCLUSION (It can
include your personal
opinion)
Before you start the essay remember to make a list of the pros and cons in two separate lists and of possible conclusions,
otherwise you may “get lost” while you are writing.
It is important to make your first paragraph interesting. You may want to give some surprising facts or statistics, to make a
controversial statement or even to begin with a quotation. REMEMBER: ENGAGE THE READER´S ATTENTION.
A” for and against“composition should not be just a list of ideas. Sentences need to be linked by suitable words and the correct
and varied use of connectors is important in giving your writing style.
THE WRITING PROCESS:
BEFORE YOU START WRITING:
Group similarideas together
Quickly writedown your points for each of the ideas you aregoing to use on each part of the essay (don´t write
complete sentences)
WRITE A DRAFT:
Write in pencil and leavemargins for notes.
Write quickly and don´tworry about accuracy atthis stage.
IMPROVE:
Read what you have written again.
Mark the things you need to improve.
Add connectors to join sentences but do not overuse them.
Add some useful expressions mentioned here.
CHECK LIST (CONTENT, ORGANISATION, GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION)
Did I begin with a strong opening sentence? (Introduction)
Did I present my ideas clearly on different paragraphs?
Did I supportmy ideas with details and examples?
Did I use connectors?
Did I end up with a good closingsentence (conclusion)
Did I check my grammar, my spellingand my punctuation?
Did I use a suitablestyleof language? (Formal)