Writing 4: Expressing Opinions
Objectives • Practice language for stating your opinion in writing . • Practice language for agreeing and disagreeing with others in writing.
Introduction In this lesson, you will learn and practice techniques to effectively express opinions, and to agree and disagree with a position on an issue . These skills are essential for the Writing for an Academic Discussion task . Before we dive into thinking about how to respond to the Writing for an Academic Discussion task, take a moment to think about your current strengths and challenges with writing by reflecting on the following questions . • What kinds of university classes might use discussion boards? • Have you ever participated in a class discussion board? • Why do you think it is important to express your opinion on a class discussion board? • Why do you think it is important to respond thoughtfully to what other students have written? For the type of class discussion board that is represented in the Writing for an Academic Discussion task, you will often need to express agreement or disagreement on an issue or with someone else’s position on an issue. The expressions in the exercises that follow can help you do that.
Exercise 1
Instructions • In parentheses within each sentence, an expression of agreement or disagreement has been scrambled. Unscramble each expression in parentheses. • Write each sentence, including the unscrambled expression and adding correct punctuation. • Review the revised sentences provided in the answer key at the end of this lesson.
Example: o Original: (strongly / I / in / believe) the following opinion o Revised: I strongly believe in the following opinion. a. it is selfish to own a personal car these days (that / believe / I) b. Katy that public transportation reduces pollution (with / can’t / I / agree)
c . most cities will have high-speed trains in the next decade (think / it’s / I / that / don’t / true) d. the government needs to spend more on public transportation (Jamie / as / says) e . cars are much more fuel-efficient these days (that / Sam / agrees) f. electric cars will cost less than gas-powered cars over time (have / I / disagree / to / that) g. public transportation is the most important aspect of my city that needs to be improved (believe / I / that / don’t) h . According to Kim, airplanes are a bigger source of pollution than cars, and (more / I / agree / couldn’t)
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