UNIT 5: OPINION ESSAYS

Dau Thi Le Hieu, M.A.

School of Foreign Languages
Hanoi University of Science and Technology

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 WARMING UP

Look at the photo and answer the following questions.

• Where is the man?
• What is he doing?
• In what ways do you think his life is different from his
parents’ lives?

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 OBJECTIVES

After this lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognize the organization and write an effective short opinion essay;
• Identify and use specific vocabulary and structures to write a short opinion essay.

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 OVERVIEW

5.1 Stimulating ideas

5.2 Brainstorming and outlining

5.3 Developing your ideas

5.4 Editing your writing

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 5.1. STIMULATING IDEAS

5.1.1. Reading the text

“Wireless Technology in the Land 5.1.2. Understanding the text
of the Thunder Dragon”

5.1.3. Responding to the text

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 5.1.1. READING THE TEXT “WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY IN THE LAND OF THE
THUNDER DRAGON”
Read the following text about wireless communication in Bhutan, a country high in the mountains of
Asia that has a traditional way of life.

Wireless Technology in the Land of the Thunder Dragon got rid of: removed
something not wanted
There may be no traffic lights in Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan, but there is impersonal: without
wireless Internet. The Bhutanese tried traffic lights, but soon got rid of them. human warmth and
People did not like the impersonal flashing lights, so they went back to a traffic attention
officer in white gloves. This selectivity is just one example of how the Bhutanese selectivity: choice of
some things and not
are handling a difficult transition in their society. They have begun introducing
others
modern technology while carefully guarding their thousand-year old way of life. isolation: separateness
For many years, geography and politics helped to maintain Bhutan’s from other places or
isolation. This sparsely populated democracy is high in the Himalayan mountains things
between India and China. Most of it is protected forest, and many villages are not sparsely: small in
numbers, often spread
accessible by roads. Nearly 70 percent of the population work in agriculture. Also,
out over a large area
only a few tourists are allowed to visit every year. These tourists can easily be accessible: easy to
spotted among the Bhutanese, who dress in traditional clothing. reach or get

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 5.1.1. READING THE TEXT “WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY IN THE LAND OF THE
THUNDER DRAGON” (cont.)

Today, however, a need for increased access to medicine has set the country on track to modernize its
health-care system. Faced with a shortage of hospitals, doctors, and money, leaders have skipped many of
the traditional steps to building infrastructure. Rather than building roads and landlines, they have gone
straight to wireless technology.
Today doctors in Bhutan's remote villages use wireless technology to send their harder cases, along with
X-rays and other supporting material, to Japan, India, and other countries. Experts in those countries evaluate
the cases and send back treatment suggestions. In less than half the time it would take to send a patient to a
hospital by ambulance (Twenty or more hours in many instances), the village doctor is able to treat the patient.
While wireless technology has brought improvements to medical care and education, it has also brought
other changes. Some people worry about the cultural effects that foreign media and music will have in the
Land of the Thunder Dragon, as the Bhutanese call their country. Already changes in dress and behavior are
evident, changes that may not be as easy to get rid of as a traffic light.

infrastructure: systems and services that help a country work effectively

landlines: traditional telephone lines

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 5.1.2. UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Write T for true and F for false for each statement.

_______ 1 The Bhutanese capital is not a typical modern city.

_______ 2 The Bhutanese want to modernize by cutting down their forests.

_______ 3 Wireless technology allows doctors to improve their services to patients.

_______ 4 It is easy to stop the influence of the Internet on young Bhutanese people.

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 5.1.2. UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT (cont.)

Answer

The Bhutanese capital is not a typical modern city.

T 1
(There may be no traffic lights in Thimpu…)

The Bhutanese want to modernize by cutting down their forests.

F 2
(Most of it is protected forest…)

Wireless technology allows doctors to improve their services to patients.

T 3
(Rather than building roads and landlines, they have gone straight to wireless technology.)

It is easy to stop the influence of the Internet on young Bhutanese people.

F 4 (Already changes in dress and behavior are evident, changes that may not be as easy to
get rid of as a traffic light.)

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 5.1.3. RESPONDING TO THE TEXT

Choose the best answer to the following questions.

1. How long is Bhutanese culture?
a. About 500 years.
b. About 1000 years.
c. About 4000 years.
2. How are harder cases of diseases treated in Bhutan?
a. They are brought to hospitals as fast as possible by ambulance.
b. They have to wait for experts from other countries to come and treat them.
c. They can be treated from distance by foreign doctors.

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 5.1.3. RESPONDING TO THE TEXT (cont.)

Answer
1. How long is Bhutanese culture?
a. About 500 years.
b. About 1000 years.
c. About 4000 years.
2. How are harder cases of diseases treated in Bhutan?
a. They are brought to hospitals as fast as possible by ambulance.
b. They have to wait for experts from other countries to come and treat them.
c. They can be treated from distance by foreign doctors.

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 5.2. BRAINSTORMING AND OUTLINING

5.2.1. Brainstorming 5.2.2. Opinion organization

5.2.3. Outlining

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 5.2.1. BRAINSTORMING

a. Brainstorming ideas
Read the opinions presented in the chart below. Which opinion do you agree with?

Opinion Issue Opinion

Space exploration is important to society Space Exploration Space exploration is an unnecessary
and should be funded by the government. expense, and governments should use
the money in more beneficial ways.
Space exploration creates new beneficial education
technology: health care
computers
robotics
satellites
New inventions help the economy. They
make life better.

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 5.2.1. BRAINSTORMING (cont.)

b. Brainstorming vocabulary
Put the verbs below in the correct column.
foster hinder influence produce support discourage
alter result in encourage prevent react (to) bring about

Positive changes Negative changes Relationships Results

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 5.2.1. BRAINSTORMING (cont.)

Answer

Positive changes Negative changes Relationships Results

Foster hinder influence produce

support discourage alter result in
encourage prevent react (to) bring about

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 5.2.2. OPINION ORGANIZATION

Rhetorical focus
In an opinion essay, the writer tries to convince the reader of a point of view on a controversial issue (something
that people disagree about).
Introduction
• The hook introduces a controversial issue. It can be an anecdote, a question, or a surprising statement or
fact that makes the reader want to know more.
• The middle sentences explain why the issue is important by giving background information. This background
information explains the issue with details about the history or the people involved, what they want, or how it
affects them.
• The thesis statement at the end presents the writer’s point of view.

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 5.2.2. OPINION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Body paragraphs
• The topic sentences support the writer’s main argument in the thesis.
• The following sentences support the topic sentence with reasons, facts, and explanations to help the reader
understand the writer’s point of view.
• The final body paragraph often includes the opposing opinion. This is called the counter-argument. The
writer then argues against the counter-argument. This is called a refutation. In the refutation, the writer
points out weaknesses in the counter-argument and shows how his or her own argument is stronger.
Conclusion
The conclusion restates the writer’s opinion but often using different, more persuasive language. It may also
offer a warning, a prediction, or other type of comment that reinforces the writer’s viewpoint.

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 5.2.2. OPINION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Practice 1: Read the essay and answer the questions below it.

What Can Space Exploration Do for Me?

Astronauts have walked on the moon, robots have traveled to Mars, and countries around the world
have contributed to the International Space Station. These exciting events have made a difference in
ordinary people’s lives whether they realize it or not. Space exploration has not only created history, it has
also provided many practical benefits for humans here on Earth.
The importance of space programs can be seen in the technology we use every day. Satellite
technology allows people to make phone calls, watch TV shows, and listen to radio programs from
everywhere on Earth. Also, many of the advances in computer technology were first invented to support
space exploration. For example, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has
contributed to the creation of software that people use every day in manufacturing and design. Robotic
technology is another useful example. Engineers designed robots to work on the International Space
Station, but now robots are being developed to do jobs here on Earth.

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 5.2.2. OPINION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Even with all these advances, some people say that space exploration is an expensive luxury that
takes money away from important programs such as health care and education. However, if they
considered how space technology has improved life on Earth, they would see that space exploration is
actually important to civilization.
Space exploration creates a need for technological advances. Later, these advances are used in other
ways that help people. Wonderful new inventions such as satellites and computers are just a beginning. In
the future, space exploration will provide useful and amazing new inventions that we cannot even imagine
in the present.

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 5.2.2. OPINION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

1. What strategy does the writer use to get the reader’s attention?
a. A statement. b. A story. c. A question.
2. Which of the following best summarizes the author’s thesis statement?
a. Space exploration creates history.
b. Space exploration has improved daily life on Earth.
c. The technology needed for space exploration can be used in other ways.
3. Which is the topic sentence of the first body paragraph?
a. The importance of space programs can be seen in the technology we use every day.
b. Satellite technology allows people to make phone calls, watch TV shows, and listen to radio programs
from everywhere on Earth.
c. Also, many of the advances in computer technology were first invented to support space exploration.

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 5.2.2. OPINION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

4. Which example is NOT mentioned by the writer to support the topic sentence of the first body paragraph?
a. Making phone calls.
b. Watching TV shows.
c. Sending mails.
5. Which is the counter-argument?
a. Space exploration takes money away from other important programs.
b. Space exploration has improved daily life on Earth.
c. Robots are being developed to take away jobs from people.

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 5.2.2. OPINION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Answer
1. What strategy does the writer use to get the reader’s attention?
a. A statement. b. A story. c. A question.
2. Which of the following best summarizes the author’s thesis statement?
a. Space exploration creates history.
b. Space exploration has improved daily life on Earth.
c. The technology needed for space exploration can be used in other ways.
3. Which is the topic sentence of the first body paragraph?
a. The importance of space programs can be seen in the technology we use every day.
b. Satellite technology allows people to make phone calls, watch TV shows, and listen to radio programs
from everywhere on Earth.
c. Also, many of the advances in computer technology were first invented to support space exploration.

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 5.2.2. OPINION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

4. Which example is NOT mentioned by the writer to support the topic sentence of the first body paragraph?
a. Making phone calls.
b. Watching TV shows.
c. Sending mails.
5. Which is the counter-argument?
a. Space exploration takes money away from other important programs.
b. Space exploration has improved daily life on Earth.
c. Robots are being developed to take away jobs from people.

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 5.2.3. OUTLINING

Read again the essay “What Can Space Exploration Do for Me?” and fill in the missing information in
the outline.
Introduction Body paragraph 2
Hook: ___________________________________ Counter argument: ___________________________
Background information: ____________________ Refutation: _________________________________
Thesis statement: _________________________ Conclusion
Body paragraph 1 ___________________________________________
Topic sentence: ___________________________
Reason 1: _______________________________
Reason 2: _______________________________

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 5.2.3. OUTLINING (cont.)

Answer
Introduction
Hook: Astronauts have walked on the moon, robots have traveled to Mars, and countries around the
world have contributed to the International Space Station.
Background information: These exciting events have made a difference in ordinary people’s lives
whether they realize it or not.
Thesis statement: Space exploration has not only created history, it has also provided many practical
benefits for humans here on Earth.
Body paragraph 1
Topic sentence: The importance of space programs can be seen in the technology we use every day.

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 5.2.3. OUTLINING (cont.)

Reason 1: Satellite technology allows people to make phone calls, watch TV shows, and listen to radio
programs from everywhere on Earth.
Reason 2: Many of the advances in computer technology were first invented to support space exploration.
Body paragraph 2
Counter argument: Space exploration is an expensive luxury that takes money away from important
programs such as health care and education.
Refutation: However, if they considered how space technology has improved life on Earth, they would
see that space exploration is actually important to civilization.
Conclusion
• Creating a need for technological advances and used in other ways that help people.
• Will provide useful and amazing new inventions.

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 5.3. DEVELOPING YOUR IDEAS

5.3.2. Interpreting facts to

5.3.1. Facts and opinions
support an opinion

5.3.3. Counter-argument
and refutation

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 5.3.1. FACTS AND OPINIONS

Rhetorical Focus
Writers use both facts and opinions to support their positions or arguments. They state their opinions and
then back them up with facts. The difference between facts and opinions is shown below.
• A fact is a truth that is scientifically proven or generally accepted.
E.g. A smart phone allows the user to access the Internet.
• An opinion is one point of view among many.
E.g. Cell phones are destroying people's privacy.

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 5.3.1. FACTS AND OPINIONS (cont.)

Practice 2: Write F if the statement is a fact and О if it is an opinion.

1. Small airplanes are used in advertising.
2. Solar panels allow users to get energy from sunlight.
3. Many nations are working together to build and maintain the International Space Station.
4. Solar panels are ugly.
5. Online courses are easier than classroom courses.

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 5.3.1. FACTS AND OPINIONS (cont.)

Answer
1. Small airplanes are used in advertising. F
2. Solar panels allow users to get energy from sunlight. F
3. Many nations are working together to build and maintain the International Space Station. F
4. Solar panels are ugly. O
5. Online courses are easier than classroom courses. O

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 5.3.2. INTERPRETING FACTS TO SUPPORT AN OPINION

Rhetorical Focus
After the writer gives factual examples, she or he then interprets the facts, explaining how they support her or
his opinion.
Practice 3: Look at the table below and identify which information shows an opinion, factual examples,
and an interpretation of the facts.

Arctic wolves, for example, communicate the presence of caribou through their
howls and barks. Other wolves hear the messages and are able to meet their pack
______________
to join the hunt.

______________ Animals use language to communicate with each other.

Clearly, if another animal can understand vocalized messages that tell it the location
______________
of food, then that animal is using language.

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 5.3.2. INTERPRETING FACTS TO SUPPORT AN OPINION (cont.)

Answer

Arctic wolves, for example, communicate the presence of caribou through their
Opinion howls and barks. Other wolves hear the messages and are able to meet their pack
to join the hunt.

Factual examples Animals use language to communicate with each other.

Clearly, if another animal can understand vocalized messages that tell it the location
Interpretation
of food, then that animal is using language.

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 5.3.3. COUNTER-ARGUMENT AND REFUTATION

Rhetorical Focus
• To make an opinion essay as persuasive as possible, the writer includes a counterargument and a refutation.
• The counter-argument is the opposing opinion. It disagrees with the writer’s position. By including the
counter-argument, the writer shows an understanding of other points of view.
• The refutation is the writer’s response to the counter-argument. In the refutation, the writer shows why the
counter-argument is weak and the writer’s position is strong. The refutation may also address doubts the
reader may have about the writer’s position.
• Example
Counter-argument Many people think that a child is unhappy without brothers or sisters; however, most
only children would disagree with this statement.
Refutation An only child receives more attention from parents, gets into fewer fights, and has
plenty of social contact with friends and classmates.

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 5.3.3. COUNTER-ARGUMENT AND REFUTATION (cont.)

Practice 4: Read each statement below. Then identify the counter argument and the writer’s refutation.
1. Even though many drivers love the power of a big car, smaller cars are the cars of the future.
2. Train travel may be inexpensive and relaxing; however, airplanes are a much more important means of
transportation because they are fast and efficient.

Counter-argument Refutation

1.

2.

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 5.3.3. COUNTER-ARGUMENT AND REFUTATION (cont.)

Answer

Counter-argument Refutation

1. Even though many drivers love the power of a big car smaller cars are the cars of the future

airplanes are a much more important means of

2. Train travel may be inexpensive and relaxing
transportation because they are fast and efficient

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 5.4. EDITING YOUR WRITING

5.4.1. Using quantity expressions 5.4.2. Using connectors to show

in opinion essays support and opposition

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 5.4.1. USING QUANTITY EXPRESSIONS IN OPINION ESSAYS

Language and grammar focus

In an opinion essay, writers often make general statements. It is important to avoid making a statement that is
true for some but not for all members of a group or category. This is called an overgeneralization.
Cats hate water. Most cats hate water.
(Overgeneralization) (Quantifier)

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 5.4.1. USING QUANTITY EXPRESSIONS IN OPINION ESSAYS (cont.)

Quantity Expressions
• Most, a lot of, and some are used with both plural count nouns and noncount nouns.
E.g. Most dormitories have Internet access.
Some fast food can be healthy.
• Much and a little are used with noncount nouns. (Much is not usually used in affirmative statements. Use a
lot of instead.)
E.g. Some people have a lot of intelligence, but they do not have much common sense.
Students might have a little money left for entertainment after paying expenses.
• Many, several, and a few are used with plural nouns.
E.g. Many websites charge a fee for information.
A few uncooperative participants can destroy a meeting.

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 5.4.2. USING CONNECTORS TO SHOW SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION

Language and grammar focus

• When we explain an opinion, we can use connectors to clarify the relationship between ideas.
Connectors that show support
• One way to support an idea is to give an example that illustrates the idea.
E.g. Most people are willing to spend money to make their lives easier; for example, most new homes have
wireless capabilities.
Children should avoid junk food; in particular, they should stay away from sugary snacks.
• A second way to show support is to add facts or explanations that clarify the idea.
E.g. The automobile industry is responding to consumer demands for more fuel-efficient cars; in fact, the
number of available models has tripled in the past three years.

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 5.4.2. USING CONNECTORS TO SHOW SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION (cont.)

Connectors that show opposition

• It is sometimes difficult for the writer to show that two ideas are opposed to each other. Connectors like
however and in contrast help the writer focus the reader’s attention on differences.
E.g. Electronic books are becoming more popular; however, many people still prefer to read on paper.
Standard vacations promise relaxation; in contrast, extreme tours promise danger and adventure.
• When a connector is used to connect two ideas, a semicolon comes before the connector. Then the
connector is followed with a comma.

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 SUMMARY

Rhetorical focus
• Organization of an opinion essay.
• Introduction: introduces a controversial issue, explains why the issue is important, and states opinion.
• Body paragraphs: provide main argument and reasons, shows counter-argument and refutation.
• Conclusion: restates the writer’s opinion.
Language and grammar focus
• Using quantity expressions in opinion essays.
• Using connectors to show support and opposition.

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