Writing an opinion essay – some advice on text structure



Do not do this
Do this
Do not explain what you are going to write about:
    "I'm going to talk about anorexia..."
 		Begin directly, making sure the topic of the text is clear from the beginning (you can make your topic the first word in the text):
    "Anorexia is a very serious problem..."
Do not use contractions (you should also avoid negative questions):
    "Don't you think it's very dangerous? I can't understand why some people say it isn't. "
 		You must not use short forms in formal texts:
    "I think it is very dangerous. I cannot understand why some people say it is not."
Do not use bullets (writing an essay is not the same as taking down notes in class):
    "Some advantages:
    • It is cheap.
    • It is comfortable.
    • It is flexible."
 		Use links to turn a list of ideas into a sentence or paragraph:
    "Among its advantages we can include the fact that is it both cheap and comfortable, as well as flexible..."
Do not mix different types of arguments in the same paragraph:
    "The Internet can be very useful. It can cause addiction, but you can use it to do school projects ."
 		Separate homogeneous ideas in different paragraphs. Use clear links to separate paragraphs, and also within paragraphs:
    "The Internet can be very useful; for example, you can use it to do school projects.

    However, it can cause addiction."
Do not repeat yourself:
    "In my opinion, I think that tobacco is a waste of money. Also, it is bad for people around you, too."
 		Try to be concise; if you know several phrases with the same meaning, choose and use only one:
    "In my opinion, tobacco is a waste of money. It is also bad for people around you."
Do not shift between pros and cons as you get to a conclusion:
    "Many young people are not aware that drugs are terribly dangerous.
    ...
    Some may find using drugs an interesting experience.

    In conclusion, we should never use drugs."
 		Keep the arguments that support your conclusion as near it as possible:
    "Some may find using drugs an interesting experience....

    Many young people are not aware that drugs are terribly dangerous....

    In conclusion, we should never use drugs."
An introduction is not essential. You should try to include a conclusion, but make sure it does not just repeat previous information. You must not finish your text repeating what you have already said, or something that is not really very interesting:
    "The Internet is already essential in our society.
    ...
    "To conclude, my opinion about the Internet is that it is very important in our lives."
 		If you cannot think of a new idea, rephrase it so that it sounds different:
    "The Internet is already essential in our society.
    ...
    In conclusion, it is more and more difficult to live without the Internet in today's world."
If you cannot think of an original way to end an essay, give a personal opinion at the end, or suggest a solution to a problem you have been describing. As a last resort only, you can ask a question to the reader:
    "So, think about what you are going to do the next time someone offers you a pill at your local disco. Will you try it — just once? Or will you say «no»?"

JJCC