Opinion Essays

WRITING TASK 2
• Types:
1. Agree or disagree
2. Advantage and disadvantage
3. Problem and solution// cause and effect
4. Discuss both views and give your opinion
5. Two-part essay
Avoid
✓Person. (he- him (when mention

2nd time)

• You ✓People

✓Those who + V

✓ Individuals

✓ Passive voice
Avoid

✓ do not
• Don’t
✓ cannot
• Can’t
Avoid

✓ such as A, B, and C
• A, B, C,….
✓ including A, B, and C
Avoid
spoken language, idioms, phrasal verbs

• Kid // child ✓ child

• A lot of // many
✓many
• Work like a dog/ a horse

• Give up
 Avoid overgeneralization
• Weddings are expensive
✓ Weddings can be expensive.
• We tip the waiter in
✓We tend to tip the waiter…
restaurants

• Flight tickets are always ✓Flight tickets are often

expensive expensive
2. Essay Structure
(General Outline)
Introduction: 2 câu
• Câu 1: Paraphrase đề bài

• Câu 2: trả lời yêu cầu đề bài

Body 1: 4-5 câu

Body 2: 4-5 câu
Conclusion 1 câu
• Cách 1: Totally agree (Hoàn toàn đồng ý với ý kiến đưa
ra)
• Cách 2: Totally disagree (Hoàn toàn không đồng ý với ý
kiến đưa ra)
• Cách 3: Partly agree - partly disagree (Đồng ý với vế
đầu, không đồng ý với vế sau hoặc ngược lại)
In 100% agree/disagree essays, there are two ways
to answer the question:

• I firmly/ totally/ completely agree with the statement

+ reasons
• I firmly/ totally/ completely disagree with the
statement + reasons
4. Useful language (100%
agree/disagree essays)
INTRODUCTION
• Sentence 1: paraphrase the given topic or context
It is a common/ popular belief that S + V
Many people hold the view that S + V
There is a growing concern that S + V
Opinions are divided on whether S + V
• Sentence 2: Your opinion
BODY
PARAGRAPHS
 single-idea paragraph
Idea: 1 câu
Supporting sentences (SS): 1 câu
Example + Explain: 2 câu
Result: 1 câu
 In many countries, people are becoming overweight
and unhealthy. Why?

TS:
SS :
Ex:
Explain:
Chốt/ kết quả:
✓TS: Granted/Admittedly , one might argue that S + V
It is obvious/ apparent/self-evident that S + V.

✓SS: This is because / Since

✓Example:
To look for a supporting example, S + V
Take, for example, sth …
✓Explain: Undoubtedly/ Of course, if …
✓Link: Therefore, …
Conclusion
 Types of essay

Thanks to the increase of technology, people today have greater amount of free
time. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the conveniences created by
modern technology?

No personal opinion

Type 1: Discuss advantages & disadvantages

 Types of essay

Thanks to the increase of technology, people today have greater

amount of free time. Do the advantages of this outweigh the
disadvantages?
With personal opinion
Type 1: Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages/ Do the benefits outweigh the
drawbacks?
Type 2: Is this a positive or negative development/ trend?
2. Patterns of
Organizations
 Structure

Introduction Body Conclusion

(2 sentences) (5-6 sentences/paragraph) (2 sentences)

• Topic: Paraphrase the • Body 1: Benefits Restate the ideas

question ⮚Benefit 1 • Benefits

• Thesis statement ⮚Benefit 2 • Drawbacks
(drawbacks outweigh
• Body 2: Drawbacks
benefits)
⮚Drawback 1
⮚Drawback 2
 Structure

Introduction Body Conclusion

(2 sentences) (5-6 sentences/paragraph) (2 sentences)

• Topic: Paraphrase the • Body 1: Drawbacks Restate the ideas

question • Drawback 1 • Benefits

• Thesis statement • Drawback 2 • Drawbacks
(benefits outweigh
drawbacks) • Body 2: Benefits
⮚Benefit 1
⮚Benefit 2
 • Disadvantageous
• Advantageous
• Detrimental
• Beneficial • Exert/have negative/ adverse/ detrimental
• Exert/have positive effects/ effects/ impacts on sth
impacts on sth • Have adverse impacts on
• Wreak havoc on sth
1. Definition

• The Discussion/ Opinion

essay task tests your ability
to discuss opposing
opinions and to give your
own opinion.
Some people think that schools should use teaching methods that

encourage students to cooperate. Other people think that schools should

use teaching methods that encourage students to compete.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Part 1: a statement containing two opposing views about
the same topic.
Some people think ... Other people think ...

Part 2: a question asking you to discuss both points of view

and to explain what you think about this topic.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Discuss both these views and then give your own opinion.
Discuss both sides of this argument and give your own
opinion.
4. Language for Writing
Some jobs are based at a single workplace

where the hours are the same each day, while

other jobs involve frequent travel and irregular

working hours. Discuss the advantages of both

types of job and give your own opinion about

which one is best.

 View 1: Advantages of jobs based at a single
workplace with fixed working hours:
• Routine and predictability: Having a regular schedule allows individuals to plan their
personal lives more efficiently. They can establish a daily routine, making it easier to
balance work and other commitments.
• Work-life balance: Fixed working hours provide better opportunities for maintaining
a healthy work-life balance. Employees can engage in hobbies, spend time with
family and friends, and pursue personal interests outside of work.
• Stability and consistency: Working at a single workplace often offers stability in
terms of job security and income. Employees can rely on a consistent paycheck and
may have access to benefits such as healthcare, retirement plans, and paid leave.
• Familiarity and comfort: Being in a familiar work environment allows employees to
develop a sense of belonging and camaraderie with colleagues. They can establish
strong professional relationships and enjoy a supportive work culture.
 View 2: Advantages of jobs involving frequent
travel and irregular working hours:
1.Exploration and new experiences: Traveling for work enables individuals to visit
different places, experience diverse cultures, and broaden their horizons. It can be
an exciting opportunity for personal growth and learning.
2.Variety and flexibility: Jobs with irregular working hours often offer more flexibility
in terms of scheduling. Employees may have the freedom to adjust their work hours
to accommodate personal commitments or preferences.
3.Networking and professional growth: Frequent travel can provide opportunities for
networking with professionals from various industries, expanding one's professional
network, and gaining valuable insights from different perspectives.
4.Financial benefits: Some jobs that involve travel may offer additional financial
incentives, such as travel allowances, per diems, or reimbursement of expenses.
This can be an attractive aspect for individuals looking to increase their income.
A PROBLEM - SOLUTION
ESSAY
 INTRODUCTION
1. Topic Sentence: paraphrase the statement.
+ While S + V + O, S1 + V1 + O1.
+ Recently/ In recent years/ These days, S + V + O.
+ It has been a great concern that S + V + O.
2.
+ This could be attributed to a number of factors, and some viable
solutions that can be adopted to alleviate the situation will be outlined in
this essay.
+ This can lead to several problems, and this essay will suggest some
viable measures to remedy the situation
BODY 1: CAUSES
Topic sentence
1. There are contributing factors to Noun
2. There are compelling reasons to argue that S + V
3. Two/Three main factors are to blame for Noun

Cause 1:

The primary/ main cause of … is

The most important cause of ... is ….

Supporting sentence 1

Cause 2:

A second cause of … is ….

Another cause of … is ….

Furthermore/ Moreover, … is responsible for ….

Supporting sentence 2
BODY 2: SOLUTIONS
Topic sentence
1. In order to tackle the problem, some viable
measures can be adopted.
2. Action must be taken immediately to minimize
the negative impacts of + Noun phrase/ the
Solution 1:
To tackle this problem, governments/
organizations/ individuals should/ could/ may + V
+ O.
Supporting sentence 1
Solution 2:
Another possible solution that can be taken is that
S + V + O.
Besides/ Moreover / In addition, S + V + O.
Supporting sentence 2
 • In conclusion, there are various causes of +
[topic]. However, it can be solved when the
Conclusion abovementioned measures are taken
properly.
In many large cities, some
people waste hours of
their time every day
because of traffic
congestion on the roads.
What do you think are the
causes of this?
What solutions can you
suggest?
In many= numerous= various= a number of large
cities=metropolises =major urban centers , some
people=individuals waste hours of their time=
spend hours every day= daily = on a daily basis
because of= due to traffic congestion on the
roads= streets = roadways.
What do you think are the causes of this?
What solutions can you suggest?
1/ nhiều xe- the significant increase in the number
of private vehicles on the roads – overpopulation
2/ thiếu lựa chọn về phương tiện công công - lack
of (np) – inadequate/insufficient +
inadequate public transportation options -dẫn đến
= lead to = result in = contribute to
Phụ thuộc quá nhiều- overreliance on private
vehicles
3/ bad driving habits – aggressive driving- blow the
red light
1/ nhiều xe- the significant increase in the
number of private vehicles on the roads –
overpopulation
2/ lack of (np) – inadequate/insufficient +
Noun- inadequate public transportation options
dẫn đến = lead to = result in = contribute to
Phụ thuộc quá nhiều overreliance on private
vehicles
3/ bad driving habits – aggressive driving
 1/ nhiều xe- the significant increase in the number
of private vehicles on the roads – overpopulation
• There are contributing factors to an excessive volume
of traffic jam.
 1/ nhiều xe- the significant increase in the number
of private vehicles on the roads – overpopulation
• There are contributing factors to an excessive volume
of traffic jam. One of the primary causes of this issue
is the significant increase in the number of private
vehicles on the roads.
 1/ nhiều xe- the significant increase in the number
of private vehicles on the roads – overpopulation
• There are contributing factors to an excessive volume
of traffic jam. One of the primary causes of this issue
is the significant increase in the number of private
vehicles on the roads. This is mainly because
overpopulation and economic development have led
to an upsurge in car ownership, further exacerbating
congestion.
 1/ nhiều xe- the significant increase in the number
of private vehicles on the roads – overpopulation
• There are contributing factors to an excessive volume
of traffic jam. One of the primary causes of this issue
is the significant increase in the number of private
vehicles on the roads. This is mainly because
overpopulation and economic development have led
to an upsurge in car ownership, further exacerbating
congestion.
To tackle this issue, there are numerous
viable solutions. Firstly, governments should
invest in expanding and enhancing public
transportation systems. By doing this, the
reliance on private vehicles can be mitigated,
thus reducing congestion.
2/ raise so’s awareness of