Writing Argumentative Essay Expressing Opinion Making use of logic and facts to support your view

Structure:

Introduction (Paragraph 1)

The subject or topic. Thesis: a statement of your opinion.

Main body

Paragraph 2

Viewpoint 1 supported by a logical reason and facts/personal experience

Paragraph 3

Viewpoint 2 supported by a logical reason facts/personal experience

Paragraph 3a (optional)

Viewpoint 3 supported by a logical reason and facts/personal experience

Paragraph 4

The opposing viewpoints and reasons

You might include a lead-in opinion to your conclusion

Conclusion (Final paragraph)

A summary of your viewpoints.

Writing a Good Introduction

A strong thesis statement, relevant to the topic:

1. expresses ONE idea

2. is clear and specific

3. justifies discussion.

Apart from making a strong thesis statement a good introduction should “hook” the reader, i.e. make them want to read what you’ve written.

Useful tips

1. Start with an interesting or surprising fact or refer to an unusual situation.

2. Address the reader directly with a question.

3. Give a quotation.

4. Suggest a definition.

5. Supply some important background information

Writing a Good Main Body

Your goal is to make a convincing case for the idea you have expressed in your thesis statement. Make sure your arguments are

1. relevant to your thesis statement

2. consistent

3. clearly presented

4. logical (watch out for logical fallacies, see Student’s Coursebook, EAP Corner units1&2),

5. supported by reason and evidence (facts)

Writing a Good Conclusion

The main aim of the conclusion is to show the reader that you have fulfilled the task set in the introduction, e.g. have proved your point of view (in an opinion essay). In other words, the conclusion links back to the thesis statement.

Useful tips

1. Restate the thesis statement but do not repeat it!

2. Do not introduce new ideas.

3. Sum up the main points made in the body of the essay.

4. Do not pretend you have proven more than you have.

5. Make it emphatic: use an appropriate quotation or your own punchy ¹comment.

NB! Proofreading. Check your essay for

• opinion essay structure

• thesis statement expressing your opinion

• effective ‘hooking’ technique

• one idea per paragraph to present your opinion

• supporting sentences and examples in each paragraph

• clearly presented opposing point of view in a separate paragraph

• relevant conclusion

• logical connection within and between paragraphs

• use of grammar structures

• use of vocabulary: synonyms, pronouns, etc.

• spelling and punctuation errors

Writing a Survey Report a survey report is a formal piece of writing based on research

Structure:

Introduction

States the purpose / aim of the report, and the source of information (when and how the information was gathered).

Main Body

All the information collected and analysed is presented clearly and in detail.

Beware of the most common mistakes: interpreting data and drawing conclusions in the main body!

Conclusion

Sums up the points mentioned above; summarizes what you think are the main findings of the survey. If necessary a recommendation can be included as well.

Beware: Use cautious language!

Useful tips

1. present the data clearly in detail ( use subheadings and numbers if necessary)

2. use Past Tense to describe the survey in the introduction

3. use Present Tenses and Reported Speech to introduce/present the data

4. use Present Tense to draw conclusions and make recommendations

5. write in formal style

Useful language

Writing introduction:

• This survey was carried out/conducted to find out/examine…

• The purpose / aim of this report

• This report presents the findings of the survey…

• This survey aimed to/at + verb/ -ing…

• … (number) respondents answered the questions on…

• The survey/ questionnaire was concerned/dealt with…

Writing main body:

• It has been found that…

• There is a (slight/big/considerable/etc.) increase/rise/decrease/fall in….

• One-third/Two-thirds/A quarter/Half/About half of respondents/students/etc. said that…

• Twenty-five percent/A large percentage/A small percentage of respondents stated/claimed that…

• Several/A significant number of respondents commented/ agreed/suggested/etc. that

Writing conclusion:

To draw conclusions:

• The findings indicate/reveal/show/suggest that…

• From the results of the survey, we can see that…

• According to the findings, it is clear/evident that…

• It is not easy to reach any definite conclusions…

• If any conclusions can be drawn from the data…

• All things considered…

• To sum up…

To make recommendations:

• It is therefore proposed/advised/recommended that…

• Based on the above findings, there is a clear need for…

• People should be encouraged to…

• The importance of … must be emphasised

SAMPLE SURVEY REPORT