Giving your opinion with a clear structure in both speaking and writing
Background Information
Proficiency Level:
High Intermediate in EFL setting
Aim:
The aim of this lesson is to enhance students’ speaking and writing skills using content-based instruction.
State your opinion first
In speaking when we are asked to give our opinion about something—such as, “Do you believe the monkeys of Monkey Mountain are good or bad?”—we need to first clearly state our opinion.
Structure in Speaking
An opinion could be: “In my opinion, the monkeys of Monkey Mountain are great because they are humorous, beautiful and friendly.” ---We should also provide some supporting ideas for our opinion.
Supporting ideas explain why we have this opinion.
Providing Support
“I believe monkeys of Monkey
Mountain are an asset for Kaohsiung because monkeys are
humorous, beautiful and friendly”
Monkeys are beautiful creatures and we are so lucky to be able to witness their natural wondrous beauty.
Monkeys are the symbol of humorand freedom; besides, without monkeys how could we understand what fooling around really means.
In the introduction we need to state our opinion clearly; that is, we need to state our thesis sentence. This sentence should be the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.
Before we write the thesis sentence we need to write at least one sentence to introduce the subject of our writing. In this case we need at least one sentence to introduce the given subject--“Do you believe the monkeys of Monkey Mountain are good or bad?”
The introduction
It is very common these days to hear people arguing as to whether the monkeys of Monkey Mountain are a nuisance or an asset. I personally believe the later to be true. I believe the monkeys of Monkey Mountain are an asset because those monkeys are humorous, beautiful and friendly
Sentences to introduce the subject
Thesis sentence
Body paragraphs
Monkeys are the symbol of humor and freedom; besides, without monkeys how could we understand what fooling around really means.
Monkeys are beautiful creatures and we are so lucky to be able to witness their natural wondrous beauty.
If we understand monkeys , we know that they are very friendly creatures who can show love, affection and friendship.
Just like in speaking one should provide reasons for our thesis sentence.
In this writing I have divided the three reasons provided into the main subject (or topic sentence) of three paragraphs.
Body paragraphs
Each topic sentence (or main idea) of a paragraph should be explained in greater detail with supporting sentences. In one body paragraph we should have at least four supporting sentences.
What are some possible supporting sentences for the first topic sentence:
“Monkeys are the symbol of humor and freedom; besides, without monkeys how could we understand what fooling around really means.”
Supporting sentences
Monkeys are the symbol of humor and freedom; besides, without monkeys how could we understand what fooling around really means.
Supporting sentences
Monkeys are the symbol of humor and freedom; besides, without monkeys how could we understand what fooling around really means. For example: it is so funny watching monkeys constantly running and chasing one another.
Supporting sentences
Monkeys are the symbol of humor and freedom; besides, without monkeys how could we understand what fooling around really means. For example: it is so funny to watch monkeys constantly running and chasing one another. What is more, their expressions are so human like and comical that one cannot help laughing at their expressions.
Supporting sentences
Monkeys are the symbol of humor and freedom; besides, without monkeys how could we understand what fooling around really means. For example: it is so funny to watch monkeys constantly running and chasing one another. What is more, their expressions are so human like and comical that one cannot help laughing at their expressions. Furthermore, the strange sounds they make and the freedom in which they make them make us all for some reason smile.
Supporting sentences
Monkeys are the symbol of humor and freedom; besides, without monkeys how could we understand what fooling around really means. For example: it is so funny to watch monkeys constantly running and chasing one another. What is more, their expressions are so human like and comical that one cannot help laughing at their expressions. Furthermore, the strange sounds they make and the freedom in which they make them make us all for some reason smile. Similarly, the beauty in which these monkeys live somehow makes us smile.
The conclusion
For the first sentence of the conclusion we need restate our thesis sentence. In restating our thesis sentence we must write it in a different way, where possible using different words and sentence structure.
The Conclusion
Restate the thesis sentence
I believe the monkeys of Monkey Mountain are an asset because those monkeys are humorous, beautiful and friendly
To conclude, as I have shown, the humor, beauty and friendliness of the monkeys of Kaohsiung makes them a great asset for the city.
The Conclusion
We can also add another sentence that may emphasize an action that you would like the reader to take.
To conclude, as I have shown, the humor, beauty and friendliness of the monkeys of Kaohsiung makes them a great asset for the city.
For example
I suggest that we need to respect the monkeys of Monkey Mountain and continue to assure that they will be cared for.
The Conclusion
We can also make a sentence that makes a final comment about the essay’s main idea.
For example
To conclude, as I have shown, the humor, beauty and friendliness of the monkeys of Kaohsiung makes them a great asset for the city.
I suggest that we need to respect the monkeys of Monkey Mountain and continue to assure that they will be cared for.
It is quite sad that many people are unable to understand that monkeys do not wish any violence toward their human cousins; rather, through coming to know them, they can become our good friends
Writing: Is studying overseas worthwhile?
In your groups of four put the opinions and supporting sentences you made for the question “Is studying overseas worthwhile?” into an outline for an essay.