Stating an opinion:

Introduction	a) Examine the statement and define what it means.
	b) Say how you are going to deal with the problem.
Development	a) Decide what your point of view is going to be.
	b) First look at the opposite point of view.
	c) Then develop your own argument in a logical way.
	d) Each paragraph you write must add something new to your argument.
Conclusion	a) State the conclusion which follows from your arguments.
	b) Sometimes there is no clear solution to the problem contained in the question. In this case you might suggest a solution but point out that it is only one of a number of alternatives.

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The following phrases may help you:

Introduction:

a) Examine the statement and define what it means.

Let's examine what .... means. 
It is generally believed that... 
Most people think that... 
At first sight this statement seems to be true.

b) Say how you are going to deal with the problem.

The first thing that comes to my mind is... 
In the first place I'd like to say that... 
First of all let's get the facts straight. 
Let's begin with the fact that... 
Let me make quite clear from the start that... 
The first question we have to answer is if / wh.... 
First we must define what we mean by... 
Let's start by weighing up the pros and cons.

Development:

a) Decide what your point of view is going to be.

I'm of the opinion that...

b) First look at the opposite point of view.

It might be argued that... 
One could well say that... 
It is often generally accepted that... 
There is some evidence to suggest that... 
On the one hand .. but on the other hand ...

c) Then develop your own argument in a logical way.

Nevertheless... 
However... 
It is only partly true that... 
Although... 
Every argument has two sides. 
Take for example... 
There seems to be a contradiction here. 
Let us now return to...

d) Each paragraph you write or say must add something new to your argument.

This brings me to the next point. 
A further point to consider is... 
We have to admit that... 
It is important to realize that... 
In addition to this point I want to stress that... 
Moreover... 
There can be no doubt that... 
Everybody knows that this is so.

Conclusion:

a) State the conclusion which follows from your arguments.

It is for this reason that I believe that... 
The simple truth is that... 
It is only fair to say that...

b) Suggest a solution but point out that it is only one of a number of alternatives.

My own view of the matter is... 
So all in all I believe that...

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Topics for Form 9 and 10:

  HOMEWORK 
  TEACHERS 
  TESTS 
  SCHOOL REPORTS 
  PARENTS 
  POCKET MONEY 
  LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY 
  TEENAGE MARRIAGE 
  TAKING DRUGS 
  SMOKING 
  DRINKING ALCOHOL 
  DRIVING LICENSE AT 16 
 "The youth today loves luxury, is ill-mannered, ignores authority and has no respect for age. 
      Today's children are tyrants. They no longer stand up when an older person enters the 
      room. They argue with their parents, talk during meals and tyrannize their teachers." 
                                                                                                                                    (Sokrates 399 B.C.)

    Make up a one-minute speech stating your opinion. The list of functions may help you.

Make a one-minute speech on "Youth" 
 

"The youth today loves luxury, is ill-mannered, ignores authority and has no respect for age. Today's children are tyrants. They no longer stand up when an older person enters the room. They argue with their parents, talk during meals and tyrannize their teachers." 
 

Make up a one-minute speech stating your opinion. The following functions may help you. 
 

Introduction:

a) Let's examine what .... means.

It is generally believed that...

Most people think that...

At first sight this statement seems to be true.

b) The first thing that comes to my mind is..

In the first place I'd like to say that..

First of all let's get the facts straight.

Let's begin with the fact that...

Let me make quite clear from the start that...

The first question we have to answer is if/wh...

First we must define what we mean by..

Let's start by weighing up the pros and cons.

Development:

a) I'm of the opinion that...

b) It might be argued that..

One could well say that...

It is often generally accepted that..

There is some evidence to suggest that..

On the one hand .. but on the other hand ..

c) Nevertheless ...

However..

It is only partly true that..

Although...

Every argument has two sides.

Take for example..

There seems to be a contradiction here.

Let us now return to..

d) This brings me to the next point.

A further point to consider is...

We have to admit that...

It is important to realize that...

In addition to this point I want to stress ...

Moreover.....

There can be no doubt that

Everybody knows that this is so.

Conclusion:

It is for this reason that I believe that

The simple truth is that..

It is only fair to say that....

My own view of the matter is...

So all in all I believe that...