Stating your opinion on the web-site for teachers and learners of English as a secondary language from a German point of view

Table of Contents Stating your opinion HOMEPAGE back to
Note-taking: various levels go on to
Ex: Wogs out

Stating an opinion: Steps

Introduction a) Examine the statement and define what it means.

b) Say how you are going to deal with the problem.

Development a) Decide what your point of view is going to be.

b) First look at the opposite point of view.

c) Then develop your own argument in a logical way.

d) Each paragraph you write must add something new to your argument.

Conclusion a) State the conclusion which follows from your arguments.

b) Sometimes there is no clear solution to the problem contained in the question. In this case you might suggest a solution but point out that it is only one of a number of alternatives.

The following phrases may help you:

Introduction:
a) Examine the statement and define what it means.
Let's examine what .... means.
It is generally believed that...
Most people think that...
At first sight this statement seems to be true.
b) Say how you are going to deal with the problem.
The first thing that comes to my mind is...
In the first place I'd like to say that...
First of all let's get the facts straight.
Let's begin with the fact that...
Let me make quite clear from the start that...
The first question we have to answer is if / wh....
First we must define what we mean by...
Let's start by weighing up the pros and cons.

Development:
a) Decide what your point of view is going to be.
I'm of the opinion that...
b) First look at the opposite point of view.
It might be argued that...
One could well say that...
It is often generally accepted that...
There is some evidence to suggest that...
On the one hand .. but on the other hand ...
c) Then develop your own argument in a logical way.
Nevertheless...
However...
It is only partly true that...
Although...
Every argument has two sides.
Take for example...
There seems to be a contradiction here.
Let us now return to...
d) Each paragraph you write or say must add something new to your argument.
This brings me to the next point.
A further point to consider is...
We have to admit that...
It is important to realize that...
In addition to this point I want to stress that...
Moreover...
There can be no doubt that...
Everybody knows that this is so.

Conclusion:
a) State the conclusion which follows from your arguments.
It is for this reason that I believe that...
The simple truth is that...
It is only fair to say that...
b) Suggest a solution but point out that it is only one of a number of alternatives.
My own view of the matter is...
So all in all I believe that...

Topics for Form 9 and 10:

HOMEWORK
TEACHERS
TESTS
SCHOOL REPORTS
PARENTS
POCKET MONEY
LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY
TEENAGE MARRIAGE
TAKING DRUGS
SMOKING
DRINKING ALCOHOL
DRIVING LICENSE AT 16
"The youth today loves luxury, is ill-mannered, ignores authority and has no respect for age. Today's children are tyrants. They no longer stand up when an older person enters the room.They argue with their parents, talk during meals and tyrannize their teachers."
(Sokrates 399 B.C.)

Make up a one-minute speech stating your opinion. The list of functions may help you.

Table of Contents Stating your opinion HOMEPAGE back to
Note-taking: various levels go on to
Ex: Wogs out

Introduction	a) Examine the statement and define what it means.
	b) Say how you are going to deal with the problem.
Development	a) Decide what your point of view is going to be.
	b) First look at the opposite point of view.
	c) Then develop your own argument in a logical way.
	d) Each paragraph you write must add something new to your argument.
Conclusion	a) State the conclusion which follows from your arguments.
	b) Sometimes there is no clear solution to the problem contained in the question. In this case you might suggest a solution but point out that it is only one of a number of alternatives.