Expressing Opinions Write down an argument for yes

Expressing Opinions

Write down ● an argument for (yes) ● an argument against (no) the following issues.

College Education Shouldn’t be Free Teachers Should Get Paid According to Their Students’ Test Scores Parents Should Decide Who Their Children Marry People should be able to carry guns in public

Conversation: Giving and Opinion Give your opinion “I think that…” “I have come to the conclusion that…” “I (strongly/firmly) believe that…” Explain/support your opinion with specific reasons “I think/believe this because…” “Let me tell you why. ” “Here’s why. ”

Express your opinion: College Education Should be Free

Express your opinion: Parents Should Decide Who Their Children Marry

Express your opinion: Teachers Should Get Paid According to Their Students’ Test Scores

Express your opinion: People Should Be Able To Carry Guns In Public

Conversation: Giving and Opinion: Advanced Acknowledge the other side “Others might argue/say/believe……. however/but…. ” “Even though/Although others might argue/say/believe, I …. . ” Give your opinion “I think that…” “I have come to the conclusion that…” “I (strongly/firmly) believe that…” Explain/support your opinion with specific reasons “I think/believe this because…” “Let me tell you why. ” “Here’s why. ”

Sample One: Teachers Pay Even though others might say that teachers’ pay should be tied to student test scores, I strongly believe that teachers should not get paid according to how well their students do on tests. I believe this because I think that teachers will compete with each other and try to get students to cheat on tests. It has happened already in some states. I also think that teachers might only want high scoring students in their classes and refuse to work with students who need more help. Rewarding teachers for student test scores will only hurt students and their teachers.

Sample Two: Cats or Dogs Others might argue that cats make the best pets, but I strongly believe that dogs are “a man’s best friend. ” Here’s why. Dogs know their owners and come when they are called. They protect people and are friendly towards them, and dogs can even help people who are blind or disabled to live a normal life. Dogs are clearly the better choice of pet.