(LEVEL 6-EPS 4): WRITING SKILLS: Opinion essay

Summary

This video is a detailed guide for writing opinion essays in the IELTS exam. It explains two main approaches: fully agreeing or disagreeing with the given statement, and a 50/50 approach where both sides are considered, with one ultimately being stronger. The script provides a clear breakdown of essay structure, including how to formulate topic sentences, explain ideas, and use examples to support arguments. Emphasizing coherence, lexical range, and grammar accuracy, it also offers practical templates for students to follow, along with tips on organizing ideas logically for maximum clarity and impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Opinion essays in IELTS require you to express whether you agree or disagree with a given statement, and support your viewpoint with solid arguments.
• 😀 The four key criteria for evaluating writing in IELTS are: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
• 😀 Coherence and cohesion are essential to making sure your essay is logically structured and each idea connects smoothly with the next.
• 😀 It’s important to use vocabulary that fits the context of your writing; you don’t need to use overly complex words, but accuracy and appropriateness are key.
• 😀 For grammatical accuracy, focus on using correct sentence structures and varying your sentence types, such as simple, compound, and complex sentences.
• 😀 In 100% agree or disagree essays, your entire response should follow one direction: either you fully agree or fully disagree with the statement.
• 😀 In 50/50 opinion essays, you present both sides, showing that while one viewpoint has merit, you believe another approach is better, supported by strong arguments.
• 😀 In both essay types, begin each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence, followed by an explanation, an example, and a mini conclusion if possible.
• 😀 For essays that present two ideas (e.g., in a 50/50 essay), ensure that both ideas are explored with clear examples and explanations, avoiding a large imbalance between paragraphs.
• 😀 When discussing why something should be implemented or not (e.g., government policies like taxes on fast food), analyze both sides logically and suggest alternatives where applicable.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video lesson?

The main focus of this video lesson is teaching how to write opinion essays, particularly for the IELTS exam. The lesson covers the structure and key elements needed to write a strong opinion essay, including the 'agree/disagree' and '50/50' formats.

What are the four key criteria for evaluating an IELTS writing task?

The four key criteria are: 1) Task Response – how well the essay answers the question; 2) Coherence and Cohesion – how logically ideas are structured and connected; 3) Lexical Resource – how appropriate and varied the vocabulary is; and 4) Grammatical Range and Accuracy – the accuracy and variety of grammatical structures used.

How can a student approach a '100% agree or disagree' essay question?

In a '100% agree or disagree' essay, the student should fully commit to either agreeing or disagreeing with the statement in the prompt. The essay should focus on providing strong reasons and examples supporting their stance, with each body paragraph focusing on a single reason.

What is the structure of a body paragraph in an opinion essay?

A body paragraph in an opinion essay should begin with a topic sentence introducing the main idea. This is followed by an explanation of the idea, an example that supports it, and optionally a mini-conclusion that reaffirms the idea and ties it back to the essay’s overall argument.

How should a student structure a '50/50' opinion essay?

In a '50/50' opinion essay, the student presents both sides of the argument, agreeing with some aspects of the statement while providing a stronger counterpoint. Each body paragraph should focus on one side of the argument, with a clear explanation and example for each. The conclusion should reaffirm the student’s opinion, stating why their perspective is stronger.

What is the purpose of using a 'mini-conclusion' in a body paragraph?

The purpose of a mini-conclusion in a body paragraph is to reaffirm the point made in that paragraph. It ensures the essay remains focused and cohesive, reinforcing the argument before moving on to the next point.

What should be included in the introduction of an opinion essay?

In the introduction, the student should paraphrase the statement or question given in the prompt and clearly state their opinion on the topic. This sets the stage for the rest of the essay and guides the reader on what to expect.

What is the significance of coherence and cohesion in an opinion essay?

Coherence and cohesion are crucial because they ensure that the ideas flow logically and smoothly from one paragraph to the next. Using linking words and phrases, along with a clear structure, helps the reader follow the argument easily and understand how different points are connected.

How does lexical resource impact the quality of an opinion essay?

Lexical resource impacts the quality of an opinion essay by showing the student's ability to use appropriate and varied vocabulary. While using advanced vocabulary is not necessary, it is important to use words correctly and in the proper context to express ideas clearly and accurately.

Why is it important to provide examples in an opinion essay?

Examples are important because they help to illustrate and support the student's argument. Providing clear and relevant examples makes the reasoning more convincing and shows that the student understands the topic and can apply their ideas to real-life situations.