4º ESO writing an opinion essay

In an opinion essay, you present your personal opinion on a particular topic. Your opinion must be stated clearly and supported by justifications. Also, you can present an opposing viewpoint in a separate paragraph.

An opinion essay should consist of:

1. An introduction, in which you introduce the subject and state your opinion clearly.
2. A main body consisting of two or more paragraphs, in which you present your viewpoints supported by reasons or examples. You can also pressent opposing viewpoints in a different paragraph.
3. A conclusion, in which you restate your opinion.

To state your opinion, you can use one of these expressions:

I believe / think / feel (that) ...
In my opinion ...
I (strongly) disagree that / with ...
I (completely) agree that / with ...

Some other useful expressions

to list points	in the first place, to begin with
to add more points	moreover, also, in addition
to introduce opposing viewpoints	however
to introduce examples	for example, for instance, such as
to conclude	in conclusion, all things considered

An example:

Should Dangerous Sports Be Banned?

Today, many sports are being regulated to improve safety standards and to reduce injuries. But for some people this is not enough, and they would like to see some dangerous sports banned completely. In my opinion, they should not be banned.

To start with, a challenging sport provides a healthy, largely safe, physical outlet for aggression. There is no evidence to show that people who take part in dangerous sports become violent as a result. In fact, dangerous sports may act as a safety valve for a society by reducing stress.

Moreover, almost all sports involve some risk. There is almost no sport without danger, and, for example, even golf or jogging can lead to pain or injury. Without some elements of risk or challenge, sport becomes meaningless.

However, for some people dangerous sports such as boxing are nothing but an excuse for violence, and they think that the last thing an increasingly violent world needs is more violence on our television.

All things considered, I think our society would be healthier if more people took part in sports of all kinds, as long as they are challenging, exciting, and, above all, fun. So there is no need to ban any sport.

Reading and writing 3

In most parks and beaches we can find rules that give us advice and tell us what is allowed or forbidden. Look at the following signs and answer the questions in your notebook. Write long answers. You can enlarge the images by clicking on them. Deadline: 5 May.



beach rules:

1. What should you do if there is an emergency?
2. What does a red flag mean?
3. Why aren't dogs permittted?
4. Where are you allowed to swim?
5. Why shouldn't you run or dive into the water without checking conditions?

park rules:

1. What time does the park open?
2. Are dogs permitted into the park?
3. Can you ride a bike in the park?
4. Are you allowed to play volleyball?

Reading and writing 2

This is the second reading and writing activity. You can either print the pages and write the answers on them, or write the answers in your notebook. Deadline: April 6th.

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Reading and writing 1

This is the first reading and writing activity. As you can see, you have to match the sentences in the first slide with the notices in the second. You must write the answer in your notebook. Deadline: March 24th.

YESTERDAY

You are going to watch a video in which some people answer the question:

"What did you do yesterday?"

After you watch the video, go to comments and,

1. write one thing a person in the video did.
2. write two or three sentences about what you did yesterday. Join your sentences with then, after that, finally, etc.

Example:

Yesterday, Rebecca attended a speech at Columbia University.

Yesterday afternoon I met a friend and we went to have a coffee. After that, I got back home.

WHAT I DO DURING MY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

There are many things people do during the Christmas holidays. Some people like meeting friends or family. Some others prefer to stay at home and relax. What about you?

• Decide a day to write about (Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, etc.) and tell what you usually do that day. Don't forget to use the present simple and some frequency adverbs.

• Choose a different day and imagine you are writing on that day. What's going on around you? Don't forget to use the present continuous.

• You can include pictures, drawings, ...

• You can send an e-mail with your work to elcalero.ingles@gmail.com or you can hand in to me.

• Deadline: 14th January.

Do you need some ideas?
Then read my example.

I always spend Chistmas in Madrid, with my family.

On the 24th, if the weather is good, I like going jogging to El Retiro, a big park near my mother's home. But, sometimes, I can't go because I have to buy the last Christmas presents. The shops are always full of people, but I don't mind. In the afternoon I go for a walk to watch the Christmas lights, or I take my son, my nephews and my niece to the cinema.

On Christmas Eve we always have dinner at home, but we never start before 10:00, so when we sit at the table I'm very hungry! After dinner we open presents and stay up talking until 2 or 3 in the morning.


Today is 29th December. In Madrid the weather is really cold and snowy. People are wearing coats, scarves and gloves.

It's 21:15 and I'm at home. My husband and one of my sisters are cooking dinner (mmm ... it smells delicious!) and my son Carlos and my nephew Lucas are playing PSP games. My niece Ana is talking to her father on the phone. I think she is angry, because she is shouting ... My mother is watching the news on TV, and me? Well, I'm writing this post!

Merry Christmas!