Expressing your opinion

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

image from https://themindsjournal.com/most-popular-unpopular-opinions/

Does adding a period at the end of a text message make it appear aggressive?

What do you think?

definitely

nope

maybe?

Do tomatoes ruin sandwiches?

What do you think?

Yes. 100% gross.

No! They make them more delicious.

Something that's true for you but not for everyone is called an... .

Before reading

Do the preparation task first. (On the next slide.)

Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Information will soon be so easy to find on the internet that people will not need to remember anything. Do you agree?

Drag the four ideas that are most relevant to the red box. 

relevant ideas

You can find information about everything on the internet.

Not everyone has access to the internet all the time.

Internet banking is very popular now.

People use the internet to commit crimes.

It is quicker to remember something than to look it up online.

Not everything you read on the internet is true.

The internet is an important tool for marketing.

Reading text: An opinion essay

Information will soon be so easy to find on the internet that people will not need to remember anything. Do you agree?

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Nowadays all the information we could ever need is available online and some people say that means the end of having to learn anything.

It is true that these days everything you want to know is a few clicks away as long as you have internet access. However, not everyone has working internet all the time, for example in certain buildings or remote locations, so we do need to be able to remember information. Moreover, it takes time to look up everything you need to know online, whereas remembering something is immediate. The human memory is a much more efficient system.

Another problem is the quality of the information online. How do we know if it is accurate or reliable? We need to think about other facts we know and remember how to compare information from different websites. Knowing (and remembering) how to find certain information will be more important than knowing the information itself.

Finally, the internet is a good tool but it is not a useful replacement for our brains. If we did not remember anything, we would all spend even more time on our phones and computers than we already do, which is not good for society.

In conclusion, the internet offers us many things but it is still important to use our knowledge and memories. We need our memories to function without the internet and we also need to know how to use the internet properly.

TIPS

1. Read the question carefully. Respond to all ideas in it or all parts of it. 

2. Plan your ideas first and then choose the best ones.

3. Introduce your essay by restating the question in your own words.

4. Show understanding of both sides of the argument.

5. Use linking words to connect your ideas.

6. Draw your conclusion from the main ideas in your essay. Don't introduce new ideas at the end. 

After reading: tasks

Task 1

On the next slide, put the paragraphs of the essay in order. Then answer a question.

1. Put the paragraphs of the essay in order. 

Main point – the advantages of using memory over searching online

Main point – the negative social effects of internet use

Introduction – an explanation of the essay question in other words

Conclusion – the internet cannot replace memory

Main point – the difficulty of finding good quality information online

What is the structure of
an opinion essay?

1. Main points (Body) Introduction Conclusion
2. Introduction Main points (Body) Conclusion

Task 2

On the next slide, put the linking words and phrases in the correct group. Then answer a question.

2. Put the linking words and phrases in the correct group.

contrasting

adding ideas

finishing

To sum up

What's more

Wheras

On the other hand

Moreover

Finally

However

As well as

In conclusion

These linking words can be used to start the conclusion.

1. What's more As well as
2. Whereas On the other hand
3. Finally However
4. To sum up In conclusion

Task 3

In the next eight slides, fill in the blank with one of the given words.

1. __________ , people are living longer and staying active until later in their lives.

2. Most people agree that living longer is a good thing. ____________, an ageing population present some challenges for society.

3. In the past, people lived on average 14 years past retirement age, _______ now they can expect to live 30.

4. People's retirement savings have to last longer. __________, there may be little or no support available from a state pension.

5. On the ________ , many companies can benefit from the experience and expertise of older workers. What's ________ , many retired people say they enjoy working occasionally on one-off projects.

6. _______ contributing to the workplace, older members of society can spend valuable time with their children and grandchildren.

7. _______ , caring for the elderly is also an issue. Financial and practical support should be available to help people look after their loved ones.

8. In __________ , living longer can bring many opportunities but also some challenges. People need to plan for the future and the government should provide financial and practical support for people's retirement and medical care.

Assignment

Using what you've learned, plan an opinion essay.

click me!

On the next slide, click on the bubbles to see how you can fill out the essay planner.

The prompt tells you what your essay will be about.

The opinion statement states your opinion about what the prompt asks.

The reasons (R1, R2, R3) are the main points that support your opinion.

When you give an example (E), you support the main points.

In my opinion, dogs are the best pets to have.

loyalty

Protecting new babies; finding the way home

emotional support

dogs and therapy dogs help reduce stress; constant cuddles

improve owner's physical health

need to be walked

Where: GC.

With whom: yourself.

What: Fill out the essay planners. 

 

When: Be finished for tomorrow.

Information will soon be so easy to find on the internet that people will not need to remember anything. Do you agree?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nowadays all the information we could ever need is available online and some people say that means the end of having to learn anything.

It is true that these days everything you want to know is a few clicks away as long as you have internet access. However, not everyone has working internet all the time, for example in certain buildings or remote locations, so we do need to be able to remember information. Moreover, it takes time to look up everything you need to know online, whereas remembering something is immediate. The human memory is a much more efficient system.

Another problem is the quality of the information online. How do we know if it is accurate or reliable? We need to think about other facts we know and remember how to compare information from different websites. Knowing (and remembering) how to find certain information will be more important than knowing the information itself.

Finally, the internet is a good tool but it is not a useful replacement for our brains. If we did not remember anything, we would all spend even more time on our phones and computers than we already do, which is not good for society.

In conclusion, the internet offers us many things but it is still important to use our knowledge and memories. We need our memories to function without the internet and we also need to know how to use the internet properly.