An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing in which you share your thoughts on a specific topic. You should express your opinion clearly and give reasons and examples to support your point of view.
Remember that when we write in formal style, we must not use contractions or informal words or expressions.
Parts of an opinion essay
An opinion essay must have 3 parts:
1. Introduction
In this paragraph you have to introduce the topic. You introduce the topic by restating the question or the title of the essay in your own words. Here you have to say if you agree or not with the question or the title of the essay. You can agree, disagree or partially agree.
2. Body
In this section you have to support your opinion with reasons and examples. You must include at least three reasons. Break it into several paragraphs. Write one paragraph for each supporting reason. Don’t forget to include examples or facts.
3. Conclusion
Summarize your ideas and restate your opinion using different words.
Transition words and phrases
In your essay you have to organize all your ideas in a logical and coherent way. You can use different transition words or phrases to connect your ideas. Transition words and phrases help the reader understand your point of view easily.
In the table below there is a list of common transition words that you can use in your opinion essays.
EXAMPLE
Essay question: A1/B2 English learners should learn how to write an opinion essay. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Here you can download a simple template that you can use to organize your ideas. You can replace the red words with other transition or linking words from the chart. You can also add more transition words to connect your ideas more clearly.
PRACTICE TIME
Dogs are better pets than cats. Do you agree or disagree. Why?
Write your answer in the comments below.
Teacher Julieta 
Dogs are better pets than cats.
Nowadays, many people prefer to adopt dogs or cats, but which of them are the better pets? Personally, I think that it is better to have cats as pets for the following reasons:
First of all, cats are more independent than dogs. For example, if you need to go on a trip, cats can live alone for 3 or 4 days. In addition, you only need to put enough water and food in a bowl and a sandbox so they can pee and poop when they need.
Secondly, cats are very clean and you don´t need to pay for someone to bathe them, unlike dogs, which must be bathed at least every week, because they smell bad. In my experience, I had a cat 7 years ago and only needed to bathe him 3 times during 5 years, because, he used to bathe himself.
Finally, cats are more calm and quiet than dogs. For instance, cats sleep during the day and at night they wake up. However, they are very quiet so you can sleep relaxed. In addition, cats only meow softly and do not bark loudly like dogs.
In conclusion, cats are more lovely and better pets than dogs because they are very independent, clean, and calm animals. They are beautiful and they do not need a lot of care.
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Great job Camila!!!! Please read the final essay and compare it with your draft.
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Nowadays more and more pets walk into human families and become a member of them. Some people like dogs and others like cats. In my opinion cats are better pets than dogs.
First of all, you could have a cat no matter how big your family room is. Cats are smaller than most dogs so you do not need to have a big place for cats. Cats could sleep anywhere in your house and what you need to do is just prepare some food for them. However, if you have a dog, you need to prepare a big doghouse. So it is a little difficult if you live in a small apartment.
Second cats are more friendly than dogs. Most cats will not bark at people but dogs often do that to someone who is not familiar with them. It is a terrible feeling when your dogs bark at your neighbors.
Finally, the time you spend on taking care of your pets is less for cats. For instance, you do not need to take the cat out of your house every day if you are very busy after work.
In conclusion, cats are easy to take care of, for that reason I think cats are better pets than dogs.
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Great job Li Yang. Please compare the final essay with your initial draft. 🙂
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Dogs are better pets than cats. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
There is a dispute between those who love dogs and those who love cats. Each side believes that their pet is the best. In my opinion, every animal has pluses and minuses. However, I will say that cats are better pets than dogs.
Firstly, cats are 100 percent pets. They can sleep for hours, play, and look out the window.
Secondly, cats do not need a walk. And this means that cats do not need to wash their paws. They keep their bodies clean.
Thirdly, if cats love their owners, they like to sleep on them. Cats say mur-mur and calm their owners when they are sad or something hurts them.
Finally, cats behave calmly to guests. They can leave the room if they do not like something or someone.
Let’s sum it up. Should people buy a cat or a dog?. It is up to us. However, I will buy a cat. A cat is an ideal pet for me because I am an introvert.
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Well done Olga! Please compare your first draft with the final version ☝️
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Thank you very much for your help, Julietta! It’s so important to look at yourself from the outside.
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Excellent material (for an otherwise dull topic)- Thanks a million from faraway Argentina!
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Hi Maria! I’m happy to hear that this post was helpful. I know! Teaching/learning writing sometimes is quite challenging.
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Most people
cansay dogs are good pets for humans compared to cats. Personally, I think, it is not possible to say who is better because both are amazing pets. For this reason, I disagree that dogs are better than cats.First of all, dogs and cats are perfect domestic pets. Nowadays, people live in different spaces and dogs and cats can live perfectly in this place only depending on the size of the pets. Additionally, both can adapt perfectly to a different lifestyle for families or single people.
Secondly, dogs and cats are amazing because they have facial expressions closer to humans and sometimes they are more expressive than humans. For example, you can know when pets are happy, sad or have any health problems.
Lastly, dogs and cats are humans’ best friends in the world. Both give love unconditionally to people and stay at all times (good and bad) with them. Furthermore, it is so difficult to say one love is better than the other.
That is clear, dogs are not better than cats because both are excellent domestic pets and they adapted to every place and lifestyle only depend only that humans give love and care.
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Well done Karla!! ⭐
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Nowadays, adopting dogs and cats is hands down the most popular option for people who want to get a pet. Personally, I consider, it is imposible to say which one is a better option because both are awsome. However, I think that cats are good pets for a number of reasons.
To begin with, cats are loving. For instance, when you are upset or depressed, they always try to cheer you up with their company. Furthermore, they love sleeping with you.
Secondly, cats do not need to go for a walk. And this means that you have more spare time for yourself or for playing with them. In addition, you can go out all day knowing that your cat is going to be fine all by itself .
Last but not least, cats are friendlier than dogs. If they do not like something or somebody they will simply go out of the room. What is more, they sometimes enjoy playing alone.
To sum up, cats are more affectionate than dogs, making then better pets than other animals.
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Amazing job Gloria!!!
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