This document provides a list of useful phrases for different parts of an opinion composition, including the introduction, enumeration of points, stating facts or opinions, advantages/disadvantages, providing additional information or examples, indicating causes/reasons/results, comparisons, time references, and the conclusion. Phrases are given for introducing, developing, and summarizing the key elements of an opinion composition.

1. Opinion Composition
Useful Phrases

2. Introduction
 First of all I'd like to point out ...
 The main problem is ...
 The question of ...
 Speaking of ...
 What we have to decide is ...

3. Enumeration of points
 First of all, I’d like to say ...
 In addition to that ...
 Moreover, ...
 Furthermore, ...
 Another example of this is ...
 First, second, third ...
 Finally, ...

4. Stating something as a fact
 As everyone knows ...
 It is generally accepted that ...
 There can be no doubt that ...
 It is a fact that ...
 Nobody will deny that ...
 Everyone knows that ...

5. Expressing a personal opinion
 It seems to me that ...
 I have the feeling that ...
 I feel that ...
 I'm absolutely convinced that ...
 You can take it from me that ...
 I think/don't think that ...
 In my opinion, ...
 Well, if you ask me ...

6. Expressing advantages and
disadvantages
 There are two sides to the question.
 On the one hand ..., on the other hand ...
 An argument for/in favour of/against is ...
 While admitting that ... one should not forget that
...
 Some people think that ..., others say that ...

7. To indicate more information
 Besides ­ Making an additional point; anyway
 Furthermore
 In addition
 Moreover
 Likewise
 Indeed – In truth
 In fact


8. To indicate an example
 For example
 For instance
 In particular
 Particularly ­ Specifically or especially
distinguished from others
 Specifically
 To illustrate
 To demonstrate

9. To indicate a cause or reason
 Since
 Because
 Because of
 Due to
 For
 For the reason that
 As

10. To indicate a result or an effect
 Accordingly - because of the reason given
 Consequently
 Hence
 So
 Therefore
 Thus

11. To compare or contrast
 Whereas
 In comparison
 In contrast
 However
 Although
 On the other hand
 Likewise


12. To indicate time
 After
 Before
 Currently
 During
 Eventually
 Finally
 First, Second, etc.


13. Conclusion
 The obvious conclusion is ...
 Last but not least ...
 The only alternative (left) is ...
 The only possible solution/con­clusion is ...
 Summing up, I'd like to say that ...
 In conclusion we can say that ...
 To cut a long story short, ...
 Just to give you the main points again, ...

14. To conclude
 For the aforementioned reasons
 For the aforementioned reasons, there is no
doubt that
 To sum up the foregoing,
 Given these facts
 In conclusion
 In closing
 To conclude