I. Introduction (state the topic /problem, you talk generally about the topic, you may ask a question or start with a quotation)
- As a rule... It is popularly believed that... It is often suggested... People often claim that... A lot of people think that... Many people are in favour of... I am convinced that...
- We all know that...
- Can you imagine...? Isn't it amazing...? Have you ever thought of..? Isn't it strange...?
- There are both advantages and disadvantages...Let's begin with...
II. Main Body (points For and Against, along with your justification, appear in two separate paragraphs)
• To introduce points
- The main /most important J greatest advantage of... is that...
-Another advantage/disadvantage of... A further advantage / disadvantage of...
- One point of view in favour of/ against... The best /worst thing about...is...
• To list points
- In the first place...
First of all... To start with... To begin with...
- Secondly... Thirdly... Finally...
Last but not least...
• To add more points to the same topic
- What is more... Furthermore... Moreover...
- In addition to this... Besides...
Apart from this...
• To make contrasting points
- on the other hand... however... in spite of the fact that... despite the fact that...
- while... nevertheless... even though... although... it can be argued that...
• To introduce examples
—for example...for instance... such as... in particular...
III. Conclusion (you give either your opinion or a balanced consideration of the topic, or give the reader something to consider, or to end with a quotation)
• To conclude
- to sum up... all in all...
on the whole... in conclusion...
- taking everything into account.../as was previously stated
-All things considered, although there are some disadvantages..., / believe it is...
-All in all. I believe that there are more advantages than disadvantages...
Useful Language (OPINION Essay)
I. Introduction (state the topic/problem; you may ask a question or start with a quotation; state your opinion)
• state the topic/problem
- Is there too much emphasis placed on...?
- Nowadays, we are often told... Every day...
There is no doubt that...
- Over the past few years,... Are you among those who...? Why has...become...?
- The British poet... once said that "..."
- There are various facts that support this opinion.
• To express opinion
- In my opinion... I believe...
It seems to me... The way I see it...
II. Main Body (each paragraph should present a separate viewpoint supported by your reason, another paragraph should present the opposing viewpoint)
• To list points
- In the first place... First of all...
To start with...
To begin with...
-Secondly...
Thirdly...
Finally...
Last but not least...
• To add more points to the same topic
- What is more... Furthermore... Moreover...
- In addition to this... Besides...
Apart from this...
• To introduce contrasting viewpoints
- It is argued that... People argue that... Opponents of this view say...
- There are people who oppose... Contrary to what most believe...
• To introduce examples —for example...
for instance...
such as...
in particular...
III. Conclusion (you restate your opinion using different' words)
• To conclude
- to sum up... all in all...
all things considered... on the whole...
- in conclusion...
taking everything into account.../as was previously
stated
-All in all, I still feel that the benefits of..outweigh the
disadvantages.
[1] Веризм (итал. verismo, от vero - правдивый), реалистическое направление в итальянской литературе, музыке и изобразительном искусстве конца 19 в.
[2] The term "number opera" is used to distinguish such a work from an opera that does not easily, if at all, divide into easily extractable pieces, such as Wagner's music dramas. Nevertheless, it should be understood that, despite the fact that a composer may apply a designation of scenes or numbers in an opera, the musical flow is not necessarily interrupted.
[3] The Rake's Progress – Похождения Повесы
