IELTS Writing Task 2: 2. Opinion Essay

Step 2: Write: Body paragraphs

- Each body paragraph should discuss only ONE reason along with its supporting ideas and explanation. - Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that specifies the first reason. Also, start the topic sentence by linking word such as One reason why, Another point is, Finally, etc. - Follow the topic sentence with an explanation. - Write around 4-5 sentences in each body and make sure the details flow logically.

Linking devices for a balanced essay

- In my opinion - therefore - consequently - Doing this means... - Such as.. - Particularly... - Another point is.. - In other words, - This (to provide referencing) - Finally, - As a result, - In conclusion,

Notes

- Make sure that the details you choose all follow the same idea to avoid going off topic or adding irrelevant information. - Each body paragraph should discuss only one reason. - It's always better to plan the supporting ideas during the 5-minute planning period to avoid getting confused in the middle of your writing.

Plan carefully for a balanced essay

- You need to plan your main and supporting sentences carefully before you start writing. - Think of two main reasons why you agree and separate them on two body paragraphs. Then think of supporting ideas to each reason. - Think of the condition or exception that can make you change your opinion and how you will support it. - Remember that, all the reasons you come up with should be in harmony with the main topic.

Time consumed now 2

35 minutes out of 40

Time consumed now 3

40 minutes of 40 minutes

Time consumed now 1

5 minutes of 40

How to review a balanced essay

During the last 5 minutes of your time, check for/that: - Well-structured essay: introduction, 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph. - A specific clear opinion that doesn't having have conflicting information. - Well-structured body paragraphs that start with clear topic sentences followed by relevant supporting sentences that address the same information and don't go off topic. - The essay isn't a discussion or advantage/disadvantage essay. - The essay uses a range of linking devices properly.

Recap

If the topic introduces one issue, your essay can be - Either one-sided: Completely agree or disagree with the given issue. Write two body paragraphs to support your one and only opinion. - Or balanced: Choose whether you agree or disagree with the topic provided (your main opinion) and create a condition that can make you change your opinion. Write two paragraphs to support your main opinion and a third paragraph to explain the exception. -------------------------------------------------------- If the topic introduces two issues your essay can be: - Either one-sided: Choose only one issue and agree with it. Write two paragraphs to support why you agree and keep that opinion throughout the whole essay. Don't tackle the other issue whatsoever! - Or balanced: Think of different conditions on which you can accept both issues. These conditions will make your information separated and not overlapping; therefore, your clear opinion will be maintained throughout the whole essay.

How to write a balanced essay thesis statement

Introduction: 2 sentences. Sentence 1: Rephrase the topic. Sentence 2: State your balanced opinion (without confusing the reader!) How? By: - Avoid using agree and disagree in the same statement. - Avoid using extreme adverbs that show complete agreement/disagreement. Example: In my opinion, I completely agree that.. but I also disagree.. - Use adjectives instead to express that you agree and disagree. Example: Offering free education for everyone can be problematic; therefore, it should be offered only to certain individuals. - Main opinion: disagree with giving free education to everyone. - Exception/condition: certain individuals. (Even the exception supports the main opinion) Note - In the third body paragraph, where you express the exception to your main opinion, you can't use the introductory phrase (on the other hand) because you don't shift all the way from disagreement to agreement. Your agreement is conditional so only express that.

Type 1: One-sided essay

Sticking to one opinion throughout the whole essay. Here's how you can write a one-sided essay.

How to write an opinion essay

There are 3 steps which you should follow in order to write a proper high band-score opinion essay: Step 1: Analyze and plan Step 2: Write Step 3: Review

Types of opinion essay

There are two types of an opinion essay: - One-sided essay: where you stick to one clear opinion (whether agree or disagree) throughout the whole essay. - Balanced essay: where you tackle both opinion nut unequally.

Body paragraphs and conclusion of a balanced essay

These sections shall follow the same structure as in the one-sided essay. Body (3 paragraphs) Paragraphs 1 and 2 - Two main reasons for the main opinion. - Each reason is a topic sentence. - Each topic sentence is followed by supporting sentences and details. Paragraph 3 - One condition on which you may change your opinion. - This condition is the topic sentence that's followed by supporting ideas and details. Conclusion Two sentences: 1- Rephrasing the two main reasons for the main opinion. 2- Rephrasing the condition/exception.

Type 2: Balanced essay (What's different about it?)

This is an essay that tackles both opinions; however, it's quite different from a discussion essay. Here are some things you need to pay attention to when taking the balanced essay approach: - A balanced essay doesn't agree and disagree 100% with the given opinion. There's only a main opinion, say you agree, then you add an exception to it or a condition that can make you disagree. - That means you won't provide equal reasons. You will write 3 body paragraphs, express your main opinion (why you agree) in the first two. Then you will mention the one exception to this (when and why you may disagree) in the third paragraph. - Doing this will have you write a balanced essay and not a discussion one. - This can be clearly done through the way you express your views and the language you use.

Step 2: Write: Body paragraphs: Linking words

Use a range of linking words properly: - At present,.. - This.. - For example, - Therefore (or ; therefore, ) - ; however - One reason why.. - Another point to... is... - In other words,... - Moreover,..

Step 2: Write: Conclusion

Use either of these expressions when you reach the end of your essay: - In conclusion, - To conclude, Then restate your opinion and the reasons. Don't copy the same sentence, just rephrase it.

Time management

You only have 40 minutes to spend on this task so practice your timing as follows: - Step 1: Analyze: 5 minutes - Step 2: Write: 30 minutes - Step 3: Review: 5 minutes Practice fast writing but also keep your handwriting legible.

Step 3: Review

You should spend 5 minutes reviewing and checking your essay or errors. In those 5 minutes, you should: 1. Check for conciseness A concise essay is one that includes 4-5 paragraphs in total separated by a line space and contains the following items: - An introduction that has a clear easy-to-find opinion in the thesis statement. - A clear opinion is maintained throughout the essay. - Body paragraphs that explain the opinion further and justify it. - Supporting sentences that respond directly to the topic sentences and supporting them. - A range of linking words that are used properly. - A concise conclusion which restates the opinion and the reasons without any new, extra, or irrelevant information. -------------------------------------------------------- 2. Proofread As you read the essay checking for conciseness, look closely for any grammatical mistakes or spelling errors and correct them.

Step 1: Analyze and Plan

You should spend 5 minutes understanding the task and planning out your essay. To do that, you should: 1. Analyze - Read the prompt very carefully and determine the main topic, how many issues are introduced, and what task is required from you. 2. Decide - Determine which approach you will take. Either: 1) One-sided: so choose one opinion or issue and stick to it throughout the whole essay. 2) Or balanced: if you have only one topic, choose an opinion that you can fully support then create an exception to it which can make you change your mind. If you have two issues to address, think of different situations that can make you support both sides. These situations have to be different so your information doesn't overlap. - Be very clear whether you agree or disagree with the topic/issues provided. 3. Plan - Think of the main reasons that support and justify your opinion. Choose the first two/three reasons that come to your mind. These are your topic sentences. - Think of supporting ideas to your main reasons. Think about how you will explain every main idea and make it convincing. Ask yourself: then what? or what? why? how? about the idea you came up with to provide more explanation and details. - Keep your ideas completely clear, simple, straightforward and dedicated to the opinion that you chose. 4. Order - Make sure your paragraphs and their leading topic sentences are logically ordered.

Opinion essay structure

You should spend about 30 minutes writing the actual essay. You must write a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 290 or 300 if you have excellent writing and organization skills. Your opinion essay should be like this: Introduction - Sentence 1: Rephrase the general statement from the prompt. - Sentence 2: Thesis statement where you state your opinion and mention your reasons (the two ideas you came up with.) Body Paragraph 1 - Sentence 1: Topic sentence 1: Reason 1 why you agree/disagree - Sentence 2: Explain and add details and support - Sentence 3: Explain and add details and support - Sentence 4: Example Paragraph 2 - Sentence 1: Topic sentence 2: Reason 2 why you agree/disagree - Sentence 2: Explain and add details and support - Sentence 3: Explain and add details and support - Sentence 4: Example Conclusion - Sentence 1: Restate your opinion. - Sentence 2: Summarize the two reasons.

Opinion essay

You will be asked to write an opinion essay when the question says the following: - Do you agree or disagree with? - To what extent do you agree or disagree? - Do you think that?

Step 2: Write: Introduction (One-sided essay)

Your introduction must have 2 sentences: - Sentence 1: Paraphrase the topic - Sentence 2: State your opinion (thesis statement) 1. How to paraphrase State the same ideas and keep the same meaning using: - Synonyms: Be very careful with them because whatever synonyms you use have to match and make sense. Change nouns into adjectives or verbs. - New structures: Be careful that the new sentences are grammatically correct and imply the same meaning. Vary your vocabulary as possible as you can. Yet, if there's no other way to rephrase some words OR that it's going to take you a few minutes to come up with a synonym, it's okay you repeat that word. -------------------------------------------------------- 2. How to state your opinion You can use either of these expressions: - I agree that...because (mention the two reasons/ideas) - I disagree that.. because (mention the two reasons/ideas) - In my opinion, I agree/disagree that.... as (drive your reasons here) - In my opinion, I believe that (choose one issue) has a greater influence because... (This is when you have two issues but you're taking a one-sided approach.) Mentioning your ideas as early as in the introduction provides more cohesive details to your essay and helps connect the body paragraphs to the introduction.

Example of a balanced essay

https://goo.gl/WbwMtd - Essay 4 on page 9

Examples of a one-sided essay

https://goo.gl/WbwMtd - Essays 1-3 on pages 2-7