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Useful Vocabulary For An Opinion Essay: Top 40 Words And Phrases
Good word choice is a key ingredient of great essay writing. One should constantly work to expand and improve vocabulary so that ideas are more clearly expressed. Here are the top 40 words and phrases you should know to write great opinion essays:
- “All things considered” – This is another way of simply saying “taking everything into account.”
- “Persuasive” – This is a great term to use when you are providing a summary for the argument you found the most convincing in your writing.
- “Above all” – Use this when you want to signify what is most important and what you wish to be the main takeaway from the writing.
- “Importantly” – Use this word to introduce a loaded point with meaning that might not be easily known to the reader.
- “Significantly” – This is used in the same way as “importantly” is described above.
- “For instance” – This phrase is used when you want to include an example to clarify a point you have just made.
- “Nevertheless” – This is used in the exact same way you would use the word “nonetheless.”
- “Provided that” – This is used when you want to say something along the lines of “on the condition that.”
- “Despite this” – This is most effectively used when you want to outline a point that stands even if there isn’t enough supporting evidence.
- “That said” – Use this phrase when you need to cast some doubt on a point you’ve just made.
- “In comparison/By contrast” – Either one of these phrases can be used when you are contrasting two or more pieces of evidence.
- “On the other hand” – Use this appropriately to introduce a contrasting or opposing interpretation of the same piece of information or evidence.
- “To say nothing of/Not to mention” – Use either one of these to add more information with some emphasis.
- “Coupled with” – Use this phrase when you need to consider to or more arguments at the same time to express your idea.
- “As well as” – This phrase can be used instead of words like “also” or “and” for variety.
- “Similarly” – Use this word in the same way as “likewise” when you want to discuss something that is in agreement with what you have just mentioned.
- “What’s more” – This phrase is used as an alternative to “furthermore” or “moreover.”
- “Moreover” – This word can be used at the beginning of a sentence to add more supporting information to the point you are trying to make.
- “That is to say” – This can be used when you need to be more precise or add further detail to an explanation.
- “In other words” – Use this phrase if you need to simply something by explaining it in another way.
- “Compelling” – This is usually used in the same way as “persuasive” as explained above.
- “In conclusion” – This is usually used to introduce the concluding paragraph of an opinion or any other type of essay.
- “Notably” – This is another way of saying “significantly” as explained above.
- “To give illustration” – Use this when you are about to give an example to clarify a statement made prior.
- “Notwithstanding” – This word can be used in a similar fashion as the phrase “despite this.”
- “Nonetheless” – Use this the same way as “notwithstanding.”
- “In light of/In view of” –You can use either one of these phrases when something written has shed some light on another idea.
- “With this in mind” – Use this phrase whenever you want the reader to consider an argument within the knowledge of something else.
- “Yet” – This word should be used whenever you need to introduce a contrasting idea to one that was made prior.
- “Then again” – This is used in exactly the same way you would use “that said.”
- “Having said that” – This phrase is used in the same way as one would write “but” or “on the other hand.”
- “However” – This word is used to bring up a point that is in complete disagreement with what you’ve just mentioned.
- “Firstly, secondly, thirdly” – These words can be used to appropriately structure an argument logically and sequentially.
- “Not only… but also” – these words can be used to bring up an additional bit of information that is usually more surprising than the first.
- “Another key thing to remember” – This can be used in a similar way as the word “also” to bring up additional facts.
- “Likewise” – this word can be used when you are presenting something that is in agreement with what you have just mentioned.
- “Furthermore” – this word can generally be used at the start of a sentence to introduce or add extra information.
- “To that end” – this phrase can used to introduce an explanation behind an argument, similar to “in order to.”
- “To put it another way” – this is similar to the phrase “in other words” and is used to explain complex ideas.
- “In order to” – this phrase can be used to introduce an explanation behind the reason for an argument.
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- 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays
To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.
Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.
It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.
If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.
General explaining
Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.
1. In order to
Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”
2. In other words
Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”
3. To put it another way
Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”
4. That is to say
Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”
5. To that end
Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”
Adding additional information to support a point
Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.
6. Moreover
Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”
7. Furthermore
Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”
8. What’s more
Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”
9. Likewise
Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”
10. Similarly
Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”
11. Another key thing to remember
Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”
12. As well as
Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”
13. Not only… but also
Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”
14. Coupled with
Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”
15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…
Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.
16. Not to mention/to say nothing of
Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”
Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast
When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.
17. However
Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”
18. On the other hand
Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”
19. Having said that
Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”
20. By contrast/in comparison
Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”
21. Then again
Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”
22. That said
Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”
Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”
Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations
Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.
24. Despite this
Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”
25. With this in mind
Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”
26. Provided that
Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”
27. In view of/in light of
Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”
28. Nonetheless
Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”
29. Nevertheless
Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”
30. Notwithstanding
Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”
Giving examples
Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.
31. For instance
Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”
32. To give an illustration
Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”
Signifying importance
When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.
33. Significantly
Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”
34. Notably
Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”
35. Importantly
Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”
Summarising
You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.
36. In conclusion
Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”
37. Above all
Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”
38. Persuasive
Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”
39. Compelling
Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”
40. All things considered
Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”
How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.
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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words
Hannah Yang
Table of Contents
Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.
It’s not easy to write an academic essay .
Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.
To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.
If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.
The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.
You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.
That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.
Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.
When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:
To use the words of X
According to X
As X states
Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”
Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.
If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:
In this essay, I will…
The purpose of this essay…
This essay discusses…
In this paper, I put forward the claim that…
There are three main arguments for…
Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.
After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.
When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:
First and foremost
First of all
To begin with
Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.
All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.
The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.
It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.
Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.
Transition Words and Phrases
Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.
It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.
Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.
The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:
Additionally
In addition
Furthermore
Another key thing to remember
In the same way
Correspondingly
Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.
Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:
In other words
To put it another way
That is to say
To put it more simply
Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”
Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:
For instance
To give an illustration of
To exemplify
To demonstrate
As evidence
Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.
Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.
When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:
As a result
Accordingly
As you can see
This suggests that
It follows that
It can be seen that
For this reason
For all of those reasons
Consequently
Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”
When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:
What’s more
Not only…but also
Not to mention
To say nothing of
Another key point
Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.
Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:
On the one hand / on the other hand
Alternatively
In contrast to
On the contrary
By contrast
In comparison
Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.
Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:
Having said that
Differing from
In spite of
With this in mind
Provided that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Notwithstanding
Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.
Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.
Strong Verbs for Academic Writing
Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.
You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.
For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.
Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.
Verbs that show change:
Accommodate
Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:
Verbs that show increase:
Verbs that show decrease:
Deteriorate
Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:
Comprises of
Is composed of
Constitutes
Encompasses
Incorporates
Verbs that show a negative stance:
Misconstrue
Verbs that show a positive stance:
Substantiate
Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:
Corroborate
Demonstrate
Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:
Contemplate
Hypothesize
Investigate
Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:
Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays
You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.
However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.
Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:
Significant
Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:
Controversial
Insignificant
Questionable
Unnecessary
Unrealistic
Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:
Comprehensively
Exhaustively
Extensively
Respectively
Surprisingly
Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.
The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.
In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:
In conclusion
To summarize
In a nutshell
Given the above
As described
All things considered
Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.
In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.
To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:
Unquestionably
Undoubtedly
Particularly
Importantly
Conclusively
It should be noted
On the whole
Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.
These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.
There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.
If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.
So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?
The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.
One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.
Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.
You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.
Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.
Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.
There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!
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Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.
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10 English Phrases to Express Your Opinion in an Essay
This is a guest post by Sam Pealing. Make sure to visit his website EnglishForStudy.com for more academic English help!
I admire international students. Seriously. If you’re a non-native English speaker doing a degree or doctorate in English, then I take my hat off to you.
I get a lot of questions about writing essays, and I’ve taught hundreds of students how to write effective essays (which get good grades). One of the most common mistakes that I see is a lack of opinion.
Most of the time, students describe a situation, but they don’t give their opinion or stance. This can really damage your grade because lecturers are always looking for ‘critical thinking’. If you don’t give your opinion in your essays, your lecturers can’t see your critical thinking.
To put it simply: If you don’t put your opinion or stance in an essay, then you’ll probably lose marks.
In this article, you’ll learn 10 effective phrases that you can use to give your opinion in your essay. I’ve also created a free lesson pack which will help you to practice the phrases in this article. CLICK HERE to download it.
Introducing the Phrases
If you’re looking for a quick fix for your essay, these phrases should help you to start putting your own opinions in your essays.
But, before you rush over to your essays to start putting these phrases in, there’s something you need to know.
If you’re writing an academic essay, you will need to support your opinions with strong evidence . This is especially true if you are using some of the stronger phrases.
This evidence can be a journal article, a lecture, a textbook, or something else which is a trustworthy source of information.
In a more informal essay, like one in an IELTS or TOEFL language test, you don’t need to support your answers with strong evidence. Your experiences or opinions will be enough.
Quick note : I know! You’re ready to see the phrases.
This won’t take long and it’s really important.
1. For these phrases to be really effective, you’ll need to review your grammar. Shayna has some great videos on her Espresso English Youtube channel .
I recommend these:
- Subject/Verb agreement
- Formal and Informal English
- Correcting Grammar Mistakes
2. If you want to know the structure of a good essay paragraph, check my post here .
Informal English Phrases
These phrases are suitable for language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. In an academic essay, these phrases will probably be too informal because they are too personal.
“In my opinion, + [your sentence]”
- In my opinion , a good education is more important than a good car.
“I believe that + [your sentence]”
- I believe that schools should encourage students to walk or cycle to school rather than drive.
“In my mind, + [your sentence]”
- “ In my mind , no-one should have to pay for medical care.”
More Formal Academic Phrases With ‘That’
These phrases are more suitable for academic essays. If you are unsure whether you should use an informal phrase or an academic phrase, use an academic one. If you think your writing might be informal, read this post to learn more.
The patterns here are quite straightforward. Just add your sentence after ‘that’.
“It would seem that + [your sentence]”
Use this when you support your opinion with evidence.
- “ It would seem that children learn best when they are feeling comfortable.”
“It could be argued that + [your sentence]”
Use this when you want to challenge an existing opinion.
- “ It could be argued that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in this situation.”
“This suggests that + [your sentence]”
Use this when you don’t want to fully commit to an opinion. You’re giving yourself some distance.
- “ The evidence suggests that people who speak more than one language have more job opportunities.”
“This proves that + [your sentence]”
Use this when you are confident with your opinion. This phrase is quite strong*
- “ This proves that the best way to lose weight is through a controlled diet and a good exercise program.”
“This supports the idea that + [your sentence]”
Use this one when you are supporting an opinion that you have already made.
- “ This new research supports the idea that successful English learners look for opportunities to use English.”
Other Ways to Express Opinion
“although [idea you disagree with], [idea you agree with]”.
Use this when you want make your opinion seem balanced.
- “ Although reports suggest that cigarettes could help people to lose weight, there are too many serious health problems associated with smoking.”
Note: The ‘ although’ pattern is very effective because it shows two sides of the argument. In the example, I support the idea that smoking is bad for your health –BUT- I recognise that it could have some benefits.
Structure your ‘ although’ sentence like this: Although, [weaker argument you disagree with], [stronger argument you agree with].
Using Adverbs, Adjectives and Nouns
You can use adjectives to show your opinion.
- “This research was poorly conducted with a lack of control .”
The adjective and nouns in the example are negative . You can get some good ideas from this video on Extreme Adjectives . Note: try not to use any emotional adjectives .
Make Your Own Phrases!
Of course, these phrases aren’t the only ones that you can use! You can find more – or – you can create your own by combining different patterns.
Here’s an example of #7, #9 and #10 used together.
“Although it is difficult for older adults to learn a second language, an important study by Smith (2014) proved that the elderly can successfully learn new languages.”
What Should You Do Now?
So now you should have a better idea of how to include more opinions in your essays. But that’s not all; there are probably some new words here that you don’t know.
So here’s what you should do:
- Choose three of the opinion expressions and phrases that you want to try.
- Practice writing sentences using them (if you don’t have a topic, try this: should students do homework? You can see examples of this in the lesson pack )
- Get the Lesson Pack for this lesson (which contains the vocabulary and the phrases from this lesson) CLICK HERE to download it .
Learn more:
- Basic English phrases
- Intermediate English phrases
- Advanced English phrases
About Sam Pealing
Sam Pealing is an English language coach who specialises in two important areas: 1. helping you to get great grades at university, and 2. helping you to become an effective and confident English user. If you’re feeling frustrated or confused with English, Sam has created the perfect email course for you! You can join his course here –or- you can read more by him on English For Study .
Get corrections on your written English:
More Espresso English Lessons:
About the author.
Shayna Oliveira
Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.
Useful Academic Expressions & Phrases For Essay Writing
These useful academic expressions , words, vocabulary and phrases will help you to write a top-notch essay. Writing an essay can be a challenging task. However it becomes simpler if it is divided into manageable pieces. There are three main parts in an essay: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. You can easily overcome your essay writing task with these academic phrases and vocabulary for essay writing.
Phrases to Finish an Introduction Paragraph
In this essay, I will look at some of the arguments for This essay will discuss different ways of … This essay outline some of the reasons why… Let us examine both views before reaching a concrete decision. The following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument.
Vocabulary for Opinion Essay
In my opinion, I strongly agree with the idea that … I strongly disagree with the idea that … I strongly opine that… I strongly believe that… In my view… As far as I am concerned… It seems to me that… However, I strongly believe that… I oppose the view and my reasons will be explained in the following paragraphs. I will support this view with arguments in the following paragraphs. I personally believe that… Thus the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages…
Useful Expressions For Listing Your Ideas
First… First of all… Firstly… First and foremost… Initially… To begin with… To start with… In the first place…
On the one hand… Second(ly)… (do not use ‘Second of all’) Third(ly)… Then… Next… After that… And… Again… Also… Besides… Likewise… In addition… Consequently… What’s more… Furthermore… Moreover… Apart from that…
Finally… Last but not the least…
Check Also: Vocabulary for Starting Your Essay How to Write The Best Essay Ever!
Phrases to Show a Comparison in Your Essay
In the same way… Likewise… Similarly… Like the previous point… Similar to… Also… At the same time… Just as…
Useful Vocabulary and Phrases to Show Contrast
On the other hand… On the contrary… However… Nevertheless…/ Nonetheless… But… Nonetheless/ Nevertheless… Oppositely… Alternatively… Unlike… While… Whilst… Although… Though… Even though… Despite… / In spite of… In spite of the fact that… Alternatively… In contrast to this… Then again… On the other hand… Despite the fact that… Even so… Yet… Meanwhile…
Vocabulary For Expressing Condition
If… Provided that… Because of that… For this reason… Unless… Providing that… So that… In case… Whether…
Phrases for Expressing Certainty in Your Essay
Certainly… Definitely… No doubt… Of course… Doubtlessly… Without any doubt… Undoubtedly…
Vocabulary for Adding Further Information
In addition… And… Moreover… Similarly… Furthermore… Also… As well as… Besides… Even… Too… What’s more… Again… In a similar fashion… Likewise…
Expressions for Agreement & Disagreement in Your Essay
While writing your essay, as a writer you are required to show whether you agree & disagree or partially agree with a given statement or opinion.
Vocabulary for Expressing Agreement
I strongly agree… I completely agree that… I totally agree with the given idea that… I agree with the opinion that… I am quite inclined to the opinion that… I accept that… I accept the fact that… I am in agreement… I consent that…
Vocabulary for Expressing Disagreement
I disagree with the opinion that… I strongly disagree… I completely disagree with… I totally disagree with the given idea that… I disagree with the statement… I quite oppose the opinion that… I disapprove that… I totally do not accept the fact that… My own opinion contradicts… I disagree with the group of people… However, my opinion is different from…
Vocabulary for Expressing Partial Agreement
To some extent… In a way… I agree with the given statement to some extent… Up to a point, I agree… More or less… So to speak…
Essay Writing Expressions PDF
Essay Expression PDF – (download)
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How to Plan & Write IELTS Opinion Essays
IELTS opinion essays, also known as ‘agree or disagree’ essays, come up frequently in the writing exam. In this lesson, I’m going to show you how to plan and write them step-by-step.
Here’s what we’ll be covering:
- 3 Common mistakes
- Essay structure
- How to plan
- How to write an introduction
- How to write main body paragraphs
- How to write a conclusion
Click the links to see lessons on each of these Task 2 essay writing topics.
Once you understand the process, practice on past questions. Take your time at first and gradually speed up until you can plan and write an essay of at least 250 words in the 40 minutes allowed in the exam.
The Question
The first part of the question for an IELTS opinion essay will be a statement. You will then be asked to give your own opinion about the statement. Here is some typical wording that might be used:
- What is your opinion?
- Do you agree or disagree?
- To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Want to watch and listen to this lesson?
Click on this video.
Here's a question from a past test paper.
A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.
Do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
I’ll be using this question to guide you through the process of planning and writing an IELTS opinion essay.
3 Common Mistakes
These three errors are common in IELTS opinion essays.
- Not stating an opinion.
- Giving arguments for both views.
- Not supporting your opinion with clear reasons.
The most common mistake that students make is not giving an opinion. The question will clearly state that you must choose one side of the argument. If you fail to do this, you will get a low score for task achievement.
It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even, that you agree with it. Choose the one you can develop the best argument for.
Make sure that you don’t change your opinion part way through the essay, and don’t give reasons for the opposing view.
Essay Structure
Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write opinion essays. It’s not the only possible structure but it’s the one I recommend because it’s easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.
1) Introduction
- Paraphrase the question
- Give your opinion
- State two supporting reasons
2) Main body paragraph 1
- Topic sentence – outline 1st reason for supporting this view
- Explanation – explain this idea
- Example – give an example or expand the idea
3) Main body paragraph 2
- Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view
- Example – give an example or expand the idea
4) Conclusion
- Summarise opinion and key reasons
This structure will give us a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.
We now need some ideas to add into the structure and we’ll have everything we need for our essay.
How To Plan IELTS Opinion Essays
# 1 decide on your opinion.
The question I've chosen to work on is quite straightforward and easy to understand so we don’t need to spend time analysing it. The first task, then, is to decide on our opinion.
Here’s the question again:
A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.
Do you agree or disagree?
For this essay, I’m going to disagree with the statement and argue that job satisfaction is more important than a big salary.
# 2 Generate ideas
The second task is to generate some ideas to write about.
Since I‘m going to argue that job satisfaction is more important than a large salary, I need ideas to support this view.
There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the IELTS Essay Planning page.
With this particular question, I immediately thought of a couple of examples of situations where job satisfaction did prove to be more important than a high salary, so I’m going to use the ‘example method’ of generating ideas.
Once you’ve thought of an example or two, ideas to include in your essay should come to you easily.
You might want to try this yourself before reading on for my ideas.
Here are my examples and some ideas they generated.
Both the examples are partly true but I've adapted them to better fit the essay. It's fine to do this as the examiner won't check your facts.
- Uncle Barry – boasted about high salary but hated his job. Nervous breakdown – lost job & can’t work.
- Me – gave up teaching. Now enjoy my work and am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn much less money.
- High-salary jobs are generally more stressful
- Stress leads to ill health, both mental and physical
- 40 hours a week at work – a third of the day
- Money doesn’t bring happiness
- Better quality of life
- Sense of fulfilment
- Less stressed – healthier and happier
I’ve got more ideas here than I need so I’m going to pick two to develop in the essay – one for each of the main body paragraphs.
Idea 1 – High-salary jobs are generally more stressful and can lead to ill health.
Idea 2 – Job satisfaction gives a sense of fulfilment.
We’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS opinion essay but first, we have one other small task to do.
# 3 Vocabulary
In an IELTS essay, it’s important to be able to say the same things in different ways, either by paraphrasing and/or using synonyms. During the planning stage, quickly jot down a few synonyms of key words you could use to save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.
For example:
satisfaction – fulfilment, achievement, sense of accomplishment, content, sense of well-being
salary – income, wages, pay, earnings
important – significant, valued, has more meaning
job – work, employment, position
With that done, we can focus on the first paragraph of the essay – the introduction.
How To Write an Introduction
A good introduction has a simple 3 part structure:
1) Paraphrased question
2) Thesis statement
3) outline statement.
An introduction should:
- Have 2-3 sentences
- Be 40-60 words long
- Take 5 minutes to write
1) Paraphrase the question
Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question.
Question: A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.
Do you agree or disagree?
Paraphrased question:
It is argued that earning lots of money has more significance to people than being content in their work.
Note that I’ve used some of the synonyms I listed, although it’s fine to repeat one or two words if you need to. Above all, your language must sound natural.
In IELTS opinion essays, the thesis statement is where you state your opinion. For example,
Thesis statement:
This essay totally disagrees with that statement.
That’s all you need to say.
If you decided to agree with the statement, you would write:
'This essay completely agrees with that statement.'
Finally in the introduction, you must outline the two main points (ideas 1 and 2 above) that you’ll cover in the rest of the essay. Do it in one sentence, or you can add them onto the end of the thesis statement if appropriate.
Outl ine statement:
I believe that people are increasingly concerned about the risk of stress-related ill-health frequently experienced by people in highly paid positions and they care more about feeling fulfilled at work.
So, let’s bring the three elements of our introduction together.
Introduction
This introduction achieves three important functions:
- It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
- It acts as a guide to the examiner as to what your essay is about.
- It also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.
The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.
Main body paragraph 1 – concerns about the risk of stress-related ill-health
Main body paragraph 2 – a sense of fulfilment at work
How To Write Main Body Paragraphs
The structure of a good main body paragraph has 3 parts:
- Topic sentence
- Explanation
If you can’t think of an example, you can add further supporting ideas but we already have our two examples so that’s not an issue here.
A common problem when writing main body paragraphs for IELTS opinion essays is having too many ideas. Again, we have already chosen the two ideas we are going to develop, so we are all set to start writing.
You can see how important the planning stage is and how it makes the actual writing of the essay far quicker and easier.
Main Body Paragraph 1
The topic sentence summarises the main idea of the paragraph. That’s all it needs to do so it doesn’t have to be complicated.
It plays an important role in ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one to another. It does this by acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about.
If you maintain a clear development of ideas throughout your essay, you will get high marks for task achievement and cohesion and coherence.
We’ll now take the idea for our first main body paragraph and create our topic sentence.
Main idea 1 – concerns about the risk of stress-related ill-health
Topic sentence:
Employees earning a large income are generally under significant mental and emotional pressure to perform well and achieve targets.
Next, we must write an explanation sentence . This explains to the examiner what we mean. It expands on our first idea.
Explanation sentence:
This causes many individuals to suffer high levels of stress which can result in both mental and physical health problems.
Finally, we add an example to support our main point. I thought of this in the planning stage so I have it ready to use.
If you can’t think of a real example, it’s fine to make one up, as long as it’s believable. The examiner isn’t going to check your facts.
Example sentence:
This happened to my uncle. He used to boast about his huge salary but the boss kept increasing his sales targets and in the end, the stress became too great and he had a nervous breakdown. Now he regrets being driven by the money.
That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.
We now follow the same process for our second main body paragraph.
Main Body Paragraph 2
Main idea 2 – Job satisfaction gives a sense of fulfilment.
First, we write the topic sentence to summarise the main idea.
Topic sentence:
Having a job that they enjoy doing, and in which they feel valued, is a major concern for most of the modern workforce.
Now for the explanation sentence to explain this idea.
Explanation sentence:
A significant number of people are giving up well-paid positions to do jobs which pay less but that they find more enjoyable and less stressful.
Finally, an example to support our main point. As before, I thought of this in the planning stage so just need to form it into a couple of sentences.
I am an example of this myself. A year ago I left the teaching profession because the workload had become too great and I am now a gardener. I feel really fulfilled in this work and I am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn far less money.
That’s the 3 parts of our second main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.
Now we need a conclusion and our IELTS opinion essay is done.
How To Write a Conclusion
Conclusions to IELTS opinion essays should do two things:
- Summarise the main points
- State your opinion
This can generally be done in a single sentence.
If you are below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add an additional prediction or recommendation statement.
Our essay currently has 233 words so we’re on target and don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS opinion essays on the Task 2 Conclusions page.
The conclusion is the easiest sentence in the essay to write but one of the most important.
A good conclusion will:
- Neatly end the essay
- Link all your ideas together
- Sum up your argument or opinion
- Answer the question
If you achieve this, you’ll improve your score for both task achievement and cohesion and coherence which together make up 50% of the overall marks. Without a conclusion, you’ll score below band 6 for task achievement.
You can start almost any final paragraph of an IELTS opinion essay with the words:
- In conclusion
or
- To conclude
Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas into one sentence.
Here’s a top tip . Go back and read the introduction to the essay because this is also a summary of the essay. It outlines what you are going to write about.
To create a great conclusion, you simply have to paraphrase the introduction. Let’s give it a go.
Introduction:
Here is the same information formed into a conclusion:
That’s it. We’ve completed our essay. Here it is with the 4 paragraphs put together.
Question:
A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.
Do you agree or disagree?
Finished IELTS opinion essay.
Go through this lesson as many times as you need to in order to fully understand it and put in lots of practice writing IELTS opinion essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.
5 More Model IELTS Opinion Essays
This pack contains another step-by-step lesson and model essay. P lus 4 additional opinion essay questions with model answers.
Carefully created to help you achieve 7+ in your Writing test.
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More help with ielts opinion essays & other task 2 essays.
IELTS Writing Task 2 – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.
The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.
Understanding Task 2 Questions – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.
How To Plan a Task 2 Essay – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.
How To Write a Task 2 Introduction – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.
How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid.
How To Write Task 2 Conclusions – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.
Task 2 Marking Criteria – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.
The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:
Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.
Opinion Essays
Discussion Essays
Problem Solution Essays
Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
Double Question Essays
Other Related Pages
IELTS Writing Test – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.
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An opinion essay.
Look at the essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.
Instructions
Do the preparation exercise first. Then do the other exercises.
Preparation
Check your understanding: multiple selection
Check your writing: matching - useful words and phrases, worksheets and downloads.
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- Essay Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essays- Benchmark IELTS
- Essay Types
- Double Question
- Advantage Disadvantage
- Problem Solution
- Essay Length
Opinion essays are a very common writing task 2 essay type. As you would expect from the name, you need to write a well-structured IELTS writing essay topics that give your opinion. We’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know to write a great IELTS writing task 2 opinion essay. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1.1 understanding the question, 1.2 example opinion questions.
- Essay Structure for Opinion Essays
- 3.1 Identify key words and phrases
3.2 Organise your ideas
3.3 identify vocabulary, 4.1 introduction, 4.2 main body paragraphs, 4.3 conclusion.
- 5.1 Complete the sample opinion essay
5.2 Opinion Sample Essay
1. opinion essay overview.
An opinion essay is also known as an agree or disagree essay . As with all writing task 2 essays, you will have 40 minutes to write at least 250 words .
Read on to find out how to produce a great opinion essay.
It is important that you first understand what writing task 2 essay question you have been given before you start writing. The type of essay question you get will slightly change the structure of your essay.
Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions:
- Advantage/disadvantage
- Double question
- Problem/solution
You will be given an IELTS statement and a question . Here are some common questions/sentence starters that tell you that you have been given an opinion essay:
- What is your opinion
- Do you think…
To what extent do you agree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
The main aims of this type of essay are:
- Choose one side of the argument
- To state your opinion about a given topic
- Support your opinion with clear reasons and examples
A common mistake test takers make when writing an opinion essay is that they treat it like an advantage/disadvantage essay and try to write about both sides of the argument in detail (see our guide on advantage/disadvantage essays and compare the difference).
For an opinion essay, you need to pick a side : it does not matter which side of the argument you choose, just pick the one that you can develop the best argument for.
However, you should briefly acknowledge the other side of the argument, and will show you how to do this in your introduction , main body paragraphs, and conclusion .
You should not give reasons to support the opposing argument , only support one side with reasons and examples.
Make it clear to the examiner what your opinion is from the beginning to the end of your essay (this is called a thesis-led approach: leading with your opinion).
Here are some example opinion writing task 2 questions to help you recognize them in the IELTS exam:
Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others think it is a waste of valuable money.
What is your opinion?
Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides
- IELTS Discussion Type Questions
- Double Question IELTS Essay Topics
- IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Type
- Problem Solution IELTS Writing Task Statement
Systems of funding university education are different from country to country. While some countries charge students for studying at university, others offer university education for free.
Do you think students should pay for higher education?
Every school system in the world includes regular tests and exams, and many people think that it is important for students to take lots of exams.
Children should not start school until the age of six or seven because they need to have more time to play and develop before they go to school.
Scientists and technology experts seem to be more valued by modern society than musicians and artists.
2. Essay Structure for Opinion Essays
Although there is more than one way you could choose to structure your essay, we have provided you with a foolproof structure you can always use for opinion essays to score highly in Coherence and cohesion , as well as address all parts of the task to do well in Task achievement :
3. Planning your Opinion Essay
Don’t skip this step! Taking 5 minutes to plan your essay could be the difference between your desired score and a missed opportunity.
3.1 Identify keywords and phrases
By identifying the topic of your essay, you are making sure that you are going to write about the correct topic and not go off-course. Test takers that rush and panic can make the mistake of writing about a completely different topic to the one they have been asked to write about. Don’t be one of those test taskers and make a plan !
Let’s take a look at the question for our sample answer where we have underlined the topic words:
The topic words are underlined and show the general topic of this essay question is protecting endangered species .
Now that we have identified the topic sentence, we should also look for any other keywords or phrases that give more information about the topic. Look at the words in bold below:
Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others think it is a waste of valuable money .
So this question is not only asking you to give your opinion on protecting endangered species, but also the amount of money that is spent on this cause.
A test taker that had only addressed the first point would likely have scored poorly in Task achievement.
There are so many ways you could choose to organize your ideas. We have chosen to note down our ideas by paragraph:
We give more note taking and idea generation tips in Master Guide for IELTS writing task 2 .
If any useful IELTS vocabulary for writing comes to mind during the planning process, it is useful to write it down so you don’t forget (remember to cross out any notes or planning before the end of the 40 minutes so the examiner does not mark this as your essay).
4. Writing your Opinion Essay
Paraphrasing means being able to write something in your own words without changing the meaning . This is an essential skill needed for the IELTS exam, especially writing task 2.
There is no one right way to paraphrase an IELTS statement. You could choose to use synonyms or parallel expressions (phrases with more than one word but have the same meaning). You could also change the sentence structure, but make sure it is still grammatically correct. Another paraphrase technique is to change a word class, for example, a noun to a verb form.
Take a look at our example, can you see the main changes we have made?
Although this is a formal essay, you are still allowed the use of the first person ‘I’ and ‘my’, you will need to use this when giving your opinion (just don’t over-do it).
Notice that in this example, the opinion has been clearly stated whilst presenting both sides of the argument :
Opinion: However, my view is that more government funding should be used for wildlife conservation.
Other side of the argument: It is argued by some that the protection of endangered animals is wasteful.
Not all sample essays will show this, but you can choose to briefly state what your essay will do, for example:
This essay will explain my opinion in more detail.
Now let’s move on to the main body paragraphs.
A topic sentence is usually found at the beginning of your paragraph. This should give the reader the main idea of your paragraph in one sentence.
Here are two examples taken from the sample answer:
- One reason that I believe more money should be spent on the conservation of wildlife is that animals are an essential part of maintaining the health of an ecosystem.
- Another reason to support spending on wildlife protection is that it also benefits humanity.
The start of your sentence indicates to the reader that you are clearly stating a reason for your opinion and that you are going to develop this idea throughout the paragraph.
You could also choose to start your topic sentence with the following structures:
- One reason that I believe…
- One argument in favor of… is that…
- The main reason that I think…
- Another reason to second…. (note that second here means ‘ to agree with an idea ’ )
You could also use the grammatical structure ‘ Not only… but also…’ to avoid repetition and put emphasis on the second reason, for example:
Not only does spending money on conservation help the animal kingdom, but it also benefits society as a whole.
Not only will preventing the extinction of species help the animals themselves, but it will also have a positive effect on the quality of air, water, and agricultural land.
As this is an opinion essay, it is essential that you use a range of phrases to give your opinion. Far too often, candidates just repeat the phrase ‘In my opinion…’ Here are some other sentence starters you can use to impress the examiner
- My point is that…
- I am of the opinion that…
- My argument is that…
- As far as I am concerned,…
- In my view…
Your conclusion is a very important part of your essay. You need to restate your opinion (in different words than your introduction) as well as choose the most convincing argument from your essay.
Remember to also briefly mention the other side of the argument to show the examiner that you understand there are two sides and you have clearly chosen one.
Here is a useful structure to do this:
Although it is true that… on balance I believe that/ I am of the view that/ another opinion phrase)…
And here is the full example from our sample essay :
… although it is true that there are valuable uses for funding that could aid environmental protection, on balance I am of the opinion that governments should invest in the protection of endangered species.
5. Example Opinion Essay and Exercise
Now it’s time to test your knowledge about IELTS writing task 2 opinion essays. We’ve created a model answer, but removed some of the keywords and phrases.
You need to select the correct missing words and complete the model answer. Good luck!
5.1 Complete the Sample Opinion Essay
These days, the number of species facing extinction is growing, and as a result, a larger number of people are becoming involved in environmental issues. It is argued by some that the protection of endangered animals is wasteful. However, my view is that more government funding should be used for wildlife conservation. This essay will explain my opinion in more detail.
One reason that I believe more money should be spent on the conservation of wildlife is that animals are an essential part of maintaining the health of an ecosystem. If a species becomes endangered, it signals that an ecosystem is out of balance. As a result, the loss of one species may trigger the loss of others and may lead to irreversible consequences for the animal kingdom.
Another reason to support spending on wildlife protection is that it also benefits humanity. For example, if the ecosystem is out of balance then the health of the environment is also negatively affected, for example, the loss of wildlife can affect the quality of clean water and air for a population. In addition, the fertility of agricultural land may also be reduced with the loss of certain species. Having said that, there are those that argue that this is a costly and inefficient use of public funds. They think that money would be better spent on other schemes such as renewable energy projects.
In conclusion, having looked at the topic in detail, although it is true that there are valuable uses for funding that could aid environmental protection, on balance I am of the opinion that governments should invest in the protection of endangered species. The main reason is that the protection of wildlife will not only benefit the animal kingdom, but also the human race and the environment we inhabit.
2 thoughts on “IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essays- Benchmark IELTS”
Hey. Thanks for a great material. I have one concern though. In the ” common questions in opinion essay” part, you mentioned this question ” Discuss both view and give your opinion.” But isn’t it included to the “Discussion essays”??
Hi, I just wanted to ask this question cuz it made to think about it thoroughly.
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How to write an IELTS opinion essay
Ielts opinion essay: structure, model answer, and analysis..
Updated: February 2023
There are 5 types of essays in IELTS writing task 2 and a common one is an opinion essay.
So how do you know if it is an opinion essay?. You will first need to study the instruction words. These words tell you what you should write about and this should be the first step to take before you even begin to plan. Analyse the task and especially the instruction words so you do not go off-topic or write a different essay altogether.
Here are 2 essay tasks below, which one do you think is the opinion essay?
1. Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness? 2. Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Looking at the instruction words we can see that the second one is an opinion essay as it asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree? ‘
The first task is called a ‘Two-part question essay’ or sometimes called a ‘Direct question essay’.
Instruction words
Opinion essays will have various instruction words such as:
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Do you agree or disagree?
What is your opinion?
Do you think…?
What do you think….?
In your opinion what is ….?
In some cases the instruction words ask your opinion it may be a discussion essay such as:
‘Discuss both views and give your own opinion’
The structure of a discussion essay is different from an opinion essay as you will need to explain peoples views before you go into your own opinion.
This task below is a 2 part question essay and the second question asks your opinion.
Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness?
The opinion essay that I am referring to asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree?’ means how much do you agree/disagree? , do you completely agree/disagree? or somewhat agree/disagree? or do you neither agree nor disagree?
You can write in your thesis statement something like: ‘ I completely agree because…..’ or if you don’t agree, something like: ‘ I absolutely disagree because…..’
What is an effective opinion essay structure?
There is no magic Band 9 structure but my students have found that the structure below works well in an opinion essay.
Tips on structure:
- The main body paragraphs will cover the reasons for your opinion; however, do not list ideas just use one central idea and explain and support it.
- Don’t wait until the conclusion to give your opinion. It must be throughout the whole essay .
- Don’t give 2 different opinions. Do not agree then disagree as it will confuse the examiner. You can balance it with why someone would hold an opposing view but it is not a discussion essay.
- I advise keeping the introduction under 60 words , each body paragraph should be approximately 90 to 105 words , the conclusion needs to be shorter than the introduction and no new ideas should be added to the conclusion
- Aim for between 270 to 295 words , over 300 words is not realistic as you only have 40 minutes to write the essay .
Which body paragraph is better?
Take a look at these 2 main body one paragraphs to the task below, what do you think will score higher?
Task question:
Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
A long time ago people used to go to market places and they bought basic daily necessities, now people can buy online and go to many high street shops. In addition, we can choose any hotel we like at cheap prices. Also, businesses compete with each other which means customers can buy items at low cost as well as a bigger selection of goods. Furthermore, the economy benefits because people can select from so many different products. For example, Amazon.com has millions of products that are much cheaper than buying at a shopping mall.
Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. This means that shoppers can benefit greatly from lower prices. For example, over the past two decades, Ryanair and EasyJet budget airlines have considerably reduced the cost of airfares for flights all over Europe. Before this, there was only one airline to choose from at exorbitant costs. Presently, many more budget airline options are serving destinations worldwide with incredible bargains for customers.
Click below for the answer.
The 2nd example is better because I wrote one central idea (lower prices for consumers) and expanded on that. The example given is not entirely true but it looks very feasible. You can just make up examples but they have to be specific and realistic looking. The point of an example is to support your main idea.
At the start of the paragraph I mentioned that too much choice is overwhelming but then contrast that with my opinion (Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that…) .
To see how to balance the essay click here for a lesson on balancing your opinion .
In example 1 above this has too many ideas and too many points. It jumps around and is not focusing on one central idea. The points are relevant but there is too much going on.
You will also notice an opinion is not given directly in the first example (I think / I believe etc) the whole paragraph affects coherence and cohesion as well as task response. The example given about amazon.com is also quite weak and not well explained.
Analysing the question.
As with all IELTS essays, it is crucial to spend a couple of minutes analysing the task and underling the keywords so that you are writing relevant points in the essay. If you go off-topic or write irrelevant points it will affect your score.
This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too many choices these days . This means that there is something negative about having many choices, as the word ‘too’ implies something negative. In my model answer, I disagree with this being a negative and in fact, many choices are beneficial.
Click here for the 5 steps you need to take before writing.
I advise 10 minutes of planning time, this includes time analysing the question and getting relevant ideas.
Click here for a lesson about examples in main body paragraphs.
Model Answer
Some people believe that n owadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
It is argued that in recent times people are overwhelmed by so many choices. Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.
Another reason why I believe that more choice is beneficial is that the quality of products has improved in recent years. This is because many businesses are vying for customers’ attention, so their main selling points are not only low prices but also much higher quality. For instance, smartphone costs have decreased in the past 5 years and these devices are more powerful and more durable than ever before. This is primarily because manufacturers have focused on quality control to compete with rival products. I would argue that this has been a benefit to consumers which would not have been possible with one or two companies monopolising the smartphone market.
To conclude, despite the argument that there is too much freedom of choice nowadays, I hold the view that this is a positive trend as so many options allows customers to buy inexpensive items without compromising on quality.
Click below to see more detail and an analysis
1. My thesis statement says: Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.
I am giving a balanced opinion here and focusing specifically on choice for consumers.
2. I have covered the points about how more choices have resulted in lower prices in main body one, while in main body two I cover the point about higher quality products because of the fact there are more choices. Notice how I have balanced my view: Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. .
3. The examples I gave are made up and not entirely true but they look realistic, the examiner does not check your examples for validity. Examples are there to support your main ideas. Do not put statistics in the examples either.
4. The points I have made in the essay connect with consumerism and shopping, but I have linked them to the points about how having many choices are of benefit to customers or consumers , because my opinion is that having many choices is a good aspect
5. In this type of essay, you could write about other areas where having many choices are relevant such as the choices of universities we can attend, the choices of work we might engage in, The choice of health care options available….and so on.
Here is a good news article from ‘ Business Insider’ that connects with this task question. Reading is a very good way to get ideas for IELTS essays.
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Vocabulary for Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 (part 1)
The general format for writing academic writing task 2/ ielts essay is as follows:, many/some people claim/opine/believe that... there is no denying that... it is often said that... these days.../ nowadays.../ in this day and age... it goes without saying that... it is universally accepted that... we live in an age when many of us are... people are divided in their opinion regarding... .... is one of the most important issues... whether .... or .... is a controversial issue..., let us examine both views before reaching a concrete decision. the following paragraphs discuss whether ...... or ...... and reach a reasonable conclusion. the following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument. my two cents go for... however, i strongly believe that... i oppose the view and my reasons will be explained in the following paragraphs. i will support this view with arguments in the following paragraphs. i personally believe that... thus the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages... i wholeheartedly believe that this trend should be changed., in my opinion... i strongly opine that... i strongly agree with the idea that... i strongly disagree with the given topic... i think... my opinion is that... personally speaking... in my view... i believe... apparently... personally speaking... according to me... from my point of view... ( not 'in my point of view') as far as i am concerned... from my perspective... i realise... to my way of thinking... it seems to me that... to me... to my mind... my own view on the matter is... it appears that... i feel that... i understand... i suppose..., it is true that... first... first of all... firstly... first and foremost... initially... to begin with... to start with... let us take a look at... it is worth considering... in the first place... though it is true that... some people believe that... many people think that... according to many... some people believe that... many support the view that... on the one hand..., second(ly)... ( not 'second of all') third(ly)... then... next... after that... and... again... also... besides... likewise... in addition... consequently... what’s more... furthermore... moreover... other people think that... other people believe that... on the other hand... apart from that... finally... last but not least..., in the same way... likewise... similarly... like the previous point... similar to... also... at the same time... just as..., on the other hand... on the contrary... however... nevertheless.../ nonetheless... but... nonetheless/ nevertheless... oppositely... alternatively... unlike... while... whilst... although... though... even though... despite... / in spite of... in spite of the fact that... alternatively... in contrast to this... then again... on the other hand... despite the fact that... even so... yet... meanwhile..., as an example... as an illustration... as an instance... as for instance... for instance... for example... as for example... by way of illustration... by way of example... to illustrate... to paraphrase... to show an example... to give an example... to cite an example... to cite an instance... take one example... take one instance... like... as... that is... among others... such as... particularly... specifically... regarding... in particular... including/ to include... namely... with respect to... as far .... is concerned... as a piece of evidence... an example is... ...could be a good/ideal example here a case... when it comes to... as a model..., research shows that... research has found that... when it comes to... with respect to... not only... but also... in terms of..., furthermore... in addition... on top of that... besides... what is more... another point worth noting is... another factor to consider is... furthermore... not only .... but also... also..., as a result... consequently... as a consequence... as an effect... thus... so... the reason why... therefore... on account of... because of... hence... eventually... for this/that reason... thereby... due to... owing to..., as a result... as a result of... due to... one reason behind this is... ... has led to/ ... has resulted in... consequently... therefore..., to sum up... in short... in a word... to put it simply... that is to say... to repeat in short... to summarise..., it goes without saying that... obviously... needless to say... there is little doubt that... although... thought... nonetheless... nevertheless... still... yet... must... after after all... even if... therefore... thus....., to put it simply... to put it in another way... that is to say... in other words..., then... else... otherwise... besides... as soon as... as much as......
In conclusion... In summary... To conclude... To conclude with... In closing... To sum up... In general... To summarise... In short... All in all... Overall... On the whole... To draw the conclusion... Given these points... Ultimately... In a nutshell... To elucidate... ('To elucidate' means - 'make something clear' or 'to explain'.) All things considered... By and large... Taking everything into consideration... Taking everything into account... In light of these arguments... Weighing up both sides of the argument...
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IELTS essay vocabulary
- In my opinion, …
- Personally, I think that …
- It seems to me that ...
- I believe/suppose that ...
- I cannot deny that …
- As I see it, …
- As far as I'm concerned, …
- I would argue that ...
- I'd like to point out that …
- In my experience, ...
- I am sure that …
- I am convinced that ...
- I am certain that ...
Example : I would argue that computers are rather beneficial for kids.
- to attest, ...
- to prove, ...
- this (fact) is attested/proven by ...
- this (fact) is evidenced by ...
- this (fact) is testified by ...
- this (fact) is endorsed/supported by...
- this (evidence) establishes that ...
Example : Consuming moderate amounts of sweets can be good for health. This is evidenced by a number of cases when people improved their health conditions by eating chocolate.
- It is (generally) claimed that …
- It is (generally) said that …
- It is (generally) thought that ...
- It is (generally) considered that ...
- A common opinion is that ...
- A popular belief is that ...
Example : It is considered that rigorous diets are very unhealthy.
- The fact is that …
- It is obvious that …
- It is clear that …
- There is no doubt that …
- This proves that …
Example : It is obvious that deforestation has no positive effects.
- Generally speaking, ...
- On the whole, ...
- Typically, ...
- By and large ...
Example : Generally speaking, smoking is a bad habit.
- For example, ...
- For instance, ...
- A good illustration of this is ...
- Evidence for this is provided by ...
- We can see this when ...
Example : A lot of wild animals are endangered. Evidence for this is proved by decreasing number of species.
- To summarise, ...
- In conclusion, ...
- Overall, ...
- On balance, ...
- Taking everything into consideration, ...
Example : Overall, no parents should neglect their children.
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Vocabulary for IELTS Essay (Writing Task 2)
Updated On Apr 19, 2023
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Vocabulary enables every individual to express their thoughts and opinions. When a person learns a new language or takes a language proficiency examination like IELTS , it is essential to emphasize on it. Since vocabulary or lexical resource is an evaluation criterion for the writing module, in this article, we will focus on vocabulary for IELTS essay, which is the Task 2 for IELTS Writing.
General Structure of the Essay
In IELTS, the contribution of lexical resource or vocabulary in the Speaking and Writing modules is 25% each. But before we jump into the vocabulary for IELTS essay, let us revise the structure of the essay that the candidate has to write for Task 2 .
Introduction
The introduction should contain a general statement about the subject, the paraphrased question statement, the thesis statement, and the essay’s outline.
Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are crucial, since this is where ideas or opinions are developed.
The points raised in the body paragraphs are summarized in the conclusion.
In order to understand the structure in a detailed way, check out the samples for each of the types given above.
Vocabulary for IELTS Essay
Now that the structure of the essay is clear, check some important vocabulary for IELTS essay that will enable the candidate to make the most of the 25% of the Lexical Resource criterion.
Connectors/Linking Words
Connectors or linking words are used in sentences to contrast ideas, add information, provide examples, summarise, and give an explanation. Other reasons why using connectors will help in increasing the writing score are:
- Highlight the test taker’s lexical capabilities and knowledge.
- Establish a connection between the parts of one or more sentences.
- Serve as a grammatical device to improve the coherence and fluency of written discourse.
- Make it easier for the reader to understand the meaning one is trying to convey.
So, here are some important connectors/linking words that candidates can use for the mentioned purpose:
For Expressing Opinion
- In my opinion…
- I strongly agree with the idea that/I strongly opine that…
- I’d like to point out that …
- I am convinced that …/I am certain that …
- As far as I’m concerned, …
- From my viewpoint,… / From my perspective …
- My own view on the matter is…
- It seems to me that…
- It appears that…
For Showing Contrast
- On the contrary …
- Alternatively…
- Nevertheless/Nonetheless …
- In spite of …/ In spite of the fact…/ Despite the fact …
- In contrast to this…
For Outlining Facts
- The fact is that …
- It is obvious that …/It is clear that …
- There is no doubt that …
- This proves that …
For Providing Examples
- For example…/For instance
- …could be a good example here.
- As an example…
- To illustrate…
- With respect to…
For Conclusion
- To sum up…
- In short…
- In a word…
- To put it simply…
- That is to say…
- To repeat in short…
- To summarise…
For more such connectors/linking words with examples, click on this link .
Related Vocabulary to Increase your IELTS Band Score
Beside connectors, there are various other lexical resources that a candidate can use to enhance his/her writing skills for IELTS Writing Task 2.
Sometimes, students need a comprehensive activity-based workbook that can not only teach them new words but also ways to apply them in the right context. Keeping that in mind, IELTSMaterial has created a vocabulary workbook . This master book comprises topic-specific vocabulary , related exercises, a student space to make important notes or add words they have learnt from other sources, and many more.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, given below are some important resources that an aspirant can use while preparing for IELTS essays .
- Advanced Vocabulary – It is a word list (A-Z) comprising words, their meanings and their usage to help the candidate score a band score of 7.5 and above.
- Topic Specific Vocabulary – IELTS essays are generally based on broad topics which are commonly repeated, like environment , crime , government , etc. Test-takers can use these words or phrases while answering their Task 2 for IELTS.
- List of important collocations – A collocation is a grouping of two or more frequently occurring words. Native English speakers use these combinations as they simply sound “correct”. So, incorporating collocations in writing will definitely boost your writing score.
- Synonyms and Antonyms – Repetition of words is regarded as a faux pas in IELTS Writing (and Speaking as well). Therefore, learn synonyms and antonyms from various sources to avoid any kind of repetition and showing off your word power appropriately.
As vocabulary is vital for a good score in IELTS Writing and Speaking, candidates should take time to brush up their word power on a daily basis. Ways to do that is to prepare their own vocabulary list for each topic, go through various articles and fiction, follow various sources for word of the day , buy vocabulary specific books , etc.
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Word of the Day: tenuous
This word has appeared in 175 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?
By The Learning Network
tenuous \ ˈtɛnjəwəs \ adjective
1. lacking substance or significance 2. affording no ease or reassurance 3. very thin in gauge or diameter 4. having thin consistency
Listen to the pronunciation.
The word tenuous has appeared in 175 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on March 7 in “ How to Move a 1,000-Pound Rescued Manatee (Swimming Isn’t an Option) ” by Catrin Einhorn:
Manatees were among the first animals listed on the Endangered Species Act in 1973, when their population was estimated at around 1,000. Now they’ve come to exemplify both the power of conservation and how tenuous its successes can feel. The most recent population estimate, for 2021-22, is about 10,000. Researchers largely attribute the increase to habitat protection and speed restrictions for boats. In 2017, the federal government downlisted Florida manatees from endangered to threatened. But new threats loom. Climate change and Florida’s growing population are expected to create the conditions for an increase in harmful algal blooms, according to a report commissioned by the state. Red tide can kill manatees directly, while other kinds of algal blooms can choke off the seagrass they need to survive.
Daily Word Challenge
Can you correctly use the word tenuous in a sentence?
Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.
If you want a better idea of how tenuous can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com . You can also visit this guide to learn how to use IPA symbols to show how different words are pronounced.
If you enjoy this daily challenge, try our vocabulary quizzes .
Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.
The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com . Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary . See every Word of the Day in this column .
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One should constantly work to expand and improve vocabulary so that ideas are more clearly expressed. Here are the top 40 words and phrases you should know to write great opinion essays: "All things considered" - This is another way of simply saying "taking everything into account.". "Persuasive" - This is a great term to use ...
• Revise useful vocabulary for writing an opinion essay. • Learn useful techniques for planning your own essay. • Evaluate two examples of a Writing Part 1 essay. • Practise and evaluate your own answer to a Writing Part 1 task. Review: Writing Part 1 . The B2 First for Schools Writing paper has two parts. Part 1 has only one task ...
Learn how to write an opinion essay. Hi kimmie, Thanks for your question. In academic and formal writing, there is a general preference for precision over vagueness, so generally speaking it's better to avoid this usage of so and thing and use more precise and academic terms when they are available (e.g.Therefore, the first factor/issue to consider is ...
4. That is to say. Usage: "That is" and "that is to say" can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: "Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.". 5. To that end. Usage: Use "to that end" or "to this end" in a similar way to "in order to" or "so".
OPINION ESSAY- EXPRESSIONS AND LINKERS YOU CAN USE TO EXPRESS OPINION To express opinion In my opinion, Personally, I think/ I believe (that I strongly believe that…. It is clear (to me) that I (completely) agree/disagree with … It seems to me that… As I see it, … In my view,...
An opinion essay has three parts: Introduction; Arguments or reasons that support your view. Conclusion; Introduction. Paragraph 1. Introduce the topic and give your opinion. Say whether you agree or disagree with the statement or question. It can be a good idea to use a question to grab the reader's attention. Check the two examples below:
in a specific or general way. Attributing claims with more or less support or certainty. Words that link ideas, helping to create a 'flow' in the writing. Many conjunctions can be used at the start of a sentence and/or. to link two short sentences into one long one. See WriteSIte for examples, exceptions and exercises.
Writing: C1 An opinion essay Learn how to write an opinion essay . Before reading . Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises. Preparation task . Match the definitions (a-f) with the vocabulary (1-6). Vocabulary Definition
For example, if you are a student and want to write an essay about a specific topic you likely have to search for the best information if you want to get a job position or scholarship. Secondly, there is a high demand for professionals who have specific skills in the field that they are pretending to be involved.
This list gives around 370 important phrases for academic writing, grouped into 15 functional areas. Written phrases 1. Specifying topics and relations between ideas in terms of in relation to in/within the context of with respect to with regard to related to relating to the relationship between as to concerned with linked to relevant to in ...
If you're struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don't worry—you've come to the right place! In this article, we've compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay. Contents: Words to Use in the Essay Introduction. Words to Use in the Body of the Essay.
This won't take long and it's really important. 1. For these phrases to be really effective, you'll need to review your grammar. Shayna has some great videos on her Espresso English Youtube channel. I recommend these: Subject/Verb agreement. Formal and Informal English.
In this essay, I will look at some of the arguments for This essay will discuss different ways of … This essay outline some of the reasons why… Let us examine both views before reaching a concrete decision. The following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument. Vocabulary for Opinion Essay In my opinion,
IELTS opinion essays, also known as 'agree or disagree' essays, come up frequently in the writing exam. In this lesson, I'm going to show you how to plan and write them step-by-step. Here's what we'll be covering: 3 Common mistakes. Essay structure. How to plan. How to write an introduction. How to write main body paragraphs.
Worksheets and downloads. An opinion essay - exercises 806.72 KB. An opinion essay - answers 284.99 KB. An opinion essay - essay 657.49 KB. An opinion essay - writing practice 187.62 KB.
Example Opinion Essay and Exercise. 5.1 Complete the sample opinion essay. 5.2 Opinion Sample Essay. 1. Opinion Essay Overview. An opinion essay is also known as an agree or disagree essay. As with all writing task 2 essays, you will have 40 minutes to write at least 250 words. Read on to find out how to produce a great opinion essay.
Task 1. Write a number (1-5) to put the essay paragraphs in order. Main point - the advantages of using memory over searching online. Main point - the negative social effects of internet use. Introduction - an explanation of the essay question in other words. Conclusion - the internet cannot replace memory.
As with all IELTS essays, it is crucial to spend a couple of minutes analysing the task and underling the keywords so that you are writing relevant points in the essay. If you go off-topic or write irrelevant points it will affect your score. This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too ...
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts. conclude. decide by reasoning. conclusion. a position or opinion reached after consideration. conditional. imposing or depending on or containing an assumption. conjunction. something that joins or connects.
The general format for writing academic writing task 2/ IELTS Essay is as follows: Introduction + your opinion/ your viewpoint/ what you think about the statement/ whether you agree or disagree/ main advantages or disadvantages +. 2nd paragraph with an example, and/or explanation, and/or evidence ( and/or extra details) +.
IELTS essay vocabulary . Expressing personal opinions: In my opinion, … Personally, I think that … It seems to me that ... I must admit that … I believe/suppose that ... I cannot deny that … As I see it, … As far as I'm concerned, … I would argue that ... I'd like to point out that … In my experience, ...
Vocabulary enables every individual to express their thoughts and opinions.When a person learns a new language or takes a language proficiency examination like IELTS, it is essential to emphasize on it.Since vocabulary or lexical resource is an evaluation criterion for the writing module, in this article, we will focus on vocabulary for IELTS essay, which is the Task 2 for IELTS Writing.
Writing essays can be draining, tedious, and difficult, even for me—and I write all day long for a living. ... These AI tools can help you formulate outlines, improve your vocabulary, and defeat ...
The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com. Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary . See every Word of the Day in this column .