Эссе-мнение (opinion essay)

When you need it

An opinion essay answers a question such as Do you agree? or To what extent…? with a clear point of view supported by reasons. It is the most common writing task in B2 exams, in school leaving exams and in the first year of university, and the same skills are needed for any text that argues a case: a report with a recommendation, a letter to a newspaper, a post in a course forum.

Exams usually set a word limit, often somewhere between 140 and 250 words. That is short. There is room for an introduction, two or three body paragraphs and a conclusion, and no room for a general warm-up about the modern world. Examiners reward a clear position, logical paragraphs and accurate linking far more than long words.

Structure

1. Introduction. Restate the question in your own words, then give your opinion in one sentence. This sentence is your thesis; everything after it supports it.
2. Body paragraph 1. Your strongest reason. Begin with a topic sentence that states the idea, then explain it and give an example, a fact or a consequence.
3. Body paragraph 2. A second reason, built in the same way.
4. Body paragraph 3 (optional). The opposite view, stated fairly, followed by your answer to it. Dealing with the other side makes your argument stronger, not weaker.
5. Conclusion. Sum up your position and the main reasons in one or two sentences. Do not add a new argument here.

Each paragraph should have one main idea. If you notice that a paragraph is making two different points, split it. Use formal style: no contractions, no kids, a lot of or stuff, and avoid addressing the reader as you.

Useful phrases

Model text

Task: Some people think that university education should be free for everyone. Do you agree?

Many countries are debating whether students should pay for university. In my view, higher education should be free for everyone who meets the entry requirements, even though this has real costs.

The main argument for free education is fairness. When fees are high, talented young people from poorer families often decide not to apply, and society loses their skills. Removing fees gives every capable student the same starting point.

Furthermore, graduates usually earn more and therefore pay more tax during their working lives. In this sense, free tuition is not a gift but an investment that the state gets back over time.

On the other hand, critics argue that free universities are expensive and that people who never studied should not pay for others. This is a fair point. However, it can be answered by linking free places to good results, so that public money supports students who take their studies seriously.

In conclusion, although free higher education costs a great deal, I believe that the benefits for individuals and for society outweigh the costs.

Common mistakes

• ✗ In my opinion, I think that fees should be abolished.
  ✓ In my opinion, fees should be abolished. / I think that fees should be abolished.
  In my opinion and I think say the same thing, so use one of them, not both.
• ✗ This problem is very actual nowadays.
  ✓ This problem is very relevant today. / This is a topical issue.
  Ukrainian актуальний and Russian актуальный are false friends: English actual means "real", as in the actual cost.
• ✗ From one side, … From the other side, …
  ✓ On the one hand, … On the other hand, …
  З одного боку / с одной стороны is translated with on … hand in English, and on the other hand can also be used alone to introduce a contrast.
• ✗ At first, fees are unfair. Secondly, they are too high.
  ✓ First, fees are unfair. Secondly, they are too high.
  At first means "at the beginning, before something changed" (at first I didn't like it); to number your points, use first or firstly.
• ✗ Students can't pay and they're really stressed out.
  ✓ Many students cannot afford the fees and are under considerable pressure.
  Contractions and informal words are normal in speech and messages, but they lower the register of an essay.

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