Basic Structures - Opinion Essays

background statement

• It is thought/believed that

• One school of thought holds that

• There is an opinion that

Thesis statement: In my view,

• although there are certain arguments in favor of/against

• although there are certain justifications for

• although …. can serve as a justification for 

• although ….. is often cited as a justification for 

• while acknowledging valid reasons behind,...

Thesis statement: giving opinion

• I agree/diasgree with this point of view for several reasons.

• I will challenge this point of view on the grounds of two main reasons.

• I would argue against (=contend=maintain) that …..

• I am convinced that ….

Body 1: Counter-view

• On the one hand

• Admittedly

• Granted

Body 1: Counter-view

• there are sound reasons to argue that

• there are reasonable grounds to believe that 

• it is true that 

• one might argue that 

Body 2: My view

• On the other hand

• While acknowledging the reasons underpinning this thinking, I believe 

• Although such a policy seems reasonable at first glance/on its surface, I am convinced that

Conclusion:

• while it is understandable that/while it seems reasonable to say that,..., I am of the opinion that…

• my view is that….

Give reason: 

• One plausible reason why SV is that SV

• SV. This is because SV 

• SV, for SV → compound sentence - fanboys 

Give reason:

• SV as/because/since SV

• As SV, SV

• SV, for the simple reason that SV 

Firstly, SV

• Arguably one of the most compelling cases for/against V_ing is that SV

• Arguably one of the most compelling for/against V_ing lies in + Noun phrase 

In addition, SV

• Another point to take into consideration/account is that

• Another crucial factor worth considering is that

For example, SV

• This can be seen in …., where/who/which…

• ….., as evidenced by….., where/who/which ….

Moreover, SV (the latest to mention in the reasoning flow)

• The argument in favor of/against …. V_ing/NP … is further reinforced/strengthened by taking into account….

• The case for … V_ing/NP … is further substantiated when … is/are taken into account.

Acknowledge why some people think so:

• Granted/Admittedly, one might argue that

• Granted/Admittedly, it has to be acknowledged that

• Granted/Admittedly, those questioning/supporting the efficacy of …. might argue that

• Granted/Admittedly, proponents/opponents of …. justify their position by arguing that SV/by citing NP

Acknowledge why some people think so:

• Granted/Admittedly,…..

….

• This is based/predicated on the assumption that ….

• This argument presupposes the fact that …..

• Theoretically, …..

• According to this theory, …..

Refute this point:

• However, this line of reasoning is not sound as …..

• However, this line of reasoning is fundamentally flawed as…

• However, this line of reasoning is not convincing as it overlooks that fact that ….

• That said, the aforementioned viewpoint seems not sensible as …

• Though reasonable this argument seems to be,…

Refute this point:

• On the surface, even though this viewpoint is justifiable,….

• On the surface, even though this viewpoint holds some merit/validity,….

• On the surface, even though this view point is legitimate, valid, reasonable, justifiable,…

opinion = viewpoint = point of view = perspective

= school of thought = assertion = belief = notion

proposal = recommendation

= scheme = initiative

Agree 

• This proposal would be workable/would work

• This proposal would yield results/desirable outcomes 

• This proposal should be adopted/implemented widely

Agree

• …. justify the proposal’s widespread implementation

• This proposal is likely to be popular

• A wise/sensible/practical/reasonable/sound/enforceable/plausible/worthwhile proposal

to describe a wise proposal 

• wise = sensible = plausible = feasible = sound = practical 

• enforceable = worthwhile = efficacious = viable 

Disagree

• This proposal should be abandoned

• This proposal is unlikely to be popular

• The feasibility/efficacy/viability/plausibility/practicality of the proposal is rendered questionable at best/should be reconsidered

= pose the question of practicality/feasibility/…

Disagree 

• a(n) unwise/impractical/unreasonable/implausible/problematic/counter-productive proposal

• … is far from being a wise/practical/… solution

• ….. undermine the proposal’s efficacy

Link back

• Therefore/Thus, by V_ing, SV

• There is general agreement among + N (people) + that SV

Link back (example)

• This example clearly underlines/underscores/demonstrates that …

• This example is a testament to the fact that ….

• This example sheds light on why …

• This example bears witness to ….

• Given this, it is understandable that ….

• Had it not been for …., ….

Introduce a fact

• It is true that

• It is widely recognized that

For counter-view

Proponents/Opponents of …. might argue that …. HOWEVER, this scenario would hardly happen