Slide bài giảng môn Viết 2 Academic Writing 2 unit 4 opinion essays slides

Writing 2
Unit 4: Opinion Essays
Unit 5: Comparison and Contrast Essays
Unit 6: Cause and Effect Essays


WRITING 2

UNIT 4: OPINION ESSAYS


OPINION ESSAYS: Purpose
• To persuade the reader of a point of view on a controversial issue


OPINION ESSAYS: Threeparagraph Format
1 paragraph
• Introduction
1 paragraph
• Body
1 paragraph
• Conclusion


INTRODUCTION: Structure
INTRODUCTION

introduces the issue = telling
short story/asking
question/giving surprising fact
to attract reader’s interest

HOOK

gives more details : why the
issue is important
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION

presents writer’s point of
view
THESIS STATEMENT


INTRODUCTION: Example (Savage
& Mayer, 2006)
Last week, I noticed that my son had a bad cold. I took him
to the pediatrician, and she told me he had an infection. Then
she gave me a prescription for antibiotics. After two days, my
son was happy and healthy thanks to this important medicine
(hook: telling a short story). Every day doctors prescribe antibiotics to
help thousands of patients around the world fight infections
(background information: explaining why antibiotics are important). I do not like
to think about what might happen if we did not have antibiotics
(thesis statement: supporting the use of antibiotics).


BODY PARAGRAPH: Structure
conveys main idea that supports 1 point of view in thesis statement
Topic sentence

support topic sentence = reasons; facts; examples; explanations

Following sentences

describes opposing opinion
Counter argument
Refutation

points out weaknesses in counter-argument & shows strengths of writer’s argument


BODY PARAGRAPH: Example
2006)

(Savage & Mayer,

Antibiotics are one of the greatest medical inventions in human history for
several reasons (topic sentence). First, infections are frequent. Almost everyone
has experienced an ear infection or a sinus infection. These common illnesses
cause pain and discomfort to millions of people around the world every year. In
addition, infections can be life-threatening. For example, sepsis, a dangerous
infection of the blood, is responsible for one out of every one hundred
hospitalizations. The victims are usually very young, old, or weak. Another
reason why antibiotics are important is that they stop an infection from
spreading to others. Infectious diseases can quickly travel from person to person
if they are not treated right away. Antibiotics are the most effective way to
control the spread of these serious illnesses. Recently, many people have argued
that doctors prescribe antibiotics too often and that the bacteria that cause
infections are becoming stronger as a result (counter-argument). This may be true;


CONCLUSION: Structure

• Conclusion = writer’s opinion + warning/prediction/advice


CONCLUSION: Example

(Savage & Mayer, 2006)

Infections can attack anyone at any time. They can also
attack entire populations. While many infections create minor
discomfort and suffering, some are quite dangerous (summary of
reasons). Antibiotics are the most effective way to treat
infections (thesis restatement). Without antibiotics, many more
people would get seriously ill, and others would die (a warning).


OPINION ESSAYS: Writing task
Write a three-paragraph essay to show your opinions on the
following comment:
“Attendance at college classes should be optional.”


STEP 1: Brainstorming ideas
Agree

Opinion
“Attendance at college
classes should be
optional.”

Disagree

STEP 2: Outlining
Introduction
Hook:
_____________________
_____________________
Background information:
_____________________
_____________________
Thesis statement:
_____________________
_____________________

Body
Topic sentence:
_____________________
Examples/reasons:
_____________________
_____________________
Counter-argument:
_____________________
_____________________
Refutation:
_____________________
_____________________

Conclusion
Summary and comment:
_____________________

_____________________
_____________________


STEP 3: Writing the first draft
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________


STEP 4: Editing your writing
Editor’s Checklist
Put a check () in the box as appropriate.
 1. Does your essay have three paragraphs?
 2. Does your introduction include a hook and a thesis statement?
 3. Does your body paragraph have a topic sentence?
 4. Does your body paragraph give reasons that support the topic sentence?
 5. Does your body paragraph give a counter-argument and refutation?
 6. Did you use quantity expressions to avoid overgeneralizations?

 7. Did you use connectors to show support or opposition between ideas?


STEP 4: Editing your writing
Peer Editor’s Checklist
Put a check () in the box as appropriate.
 1. Does the essay have three paragraphs?
 2. Does the introduction include a hook to attract the reader’s interest along with
background information?
 3. Does the introduction include a thesis statement that clearly states the writer’s
opinion?
 4. Does the body paragraph have a topic sentence?
 5. Does the body paragraph give reasons that support the topic sentence?
 6. Does the body paragraph give a counter-argument and refutation?
 7. Did the writer use quantity expressions to avoid overgeneralizations?


Reference
Savage, A., & Mayer, P. (2006). Effective academic writing 2: The short
essay. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

THE END