Opinion essay – agree or disagree with a statement

Opinion essay – agree or disagree with a statement

An “agree or disagree” opinion essay is a type of essay where you are presented with a statement or an opinion and must express your agreement or disagreement with it.

The key to writing an effective “agree or disagree” essay is to present a clear opinion and support it with well-developed arguments. It is important to provide evidence and examples to strengthen your position and counter any potential opposing viewpoints.

Here is an example question that we will use to show you how to write this type of essay:

Structure of an opinion essay

This essay typically follows a four-paragraph structure consisting of an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

In the introduction, you need to paraphrase the question, present your thesis statement, which states whether you agree or disagree with the given statement, and introduce two reasons that support your opinion. Each body paragraph focuses on one of your supporting arguments or reasons, providing evidence, examples, and logical explanations to support your viewpoint. Finally, the conclusion summarises your main points and restates your position.

Example answer

It is often suggested that scientists and technology experts contribute more to society than artists. I agree with this view. Although it isn’t easy to measure someone’s value to society, I personally feel that scientists and technology experts have a more significant impact not only on our society’s economy, but also on essential services that improve our quality of life.

First of all, science, technology, and the arts are all very productive industries. However, while there is a shortage of scientists and technicians, there tend to be fewer jobs available for creative workers. As a result, creative people often spend more time unemployed, in temporary, low-skilled jobs, or working on eccentric projects that would need to generate more income. Consequently, they contribute less to society financially. An example of this is a study conducted in the United States which revealed that approximately 64% of individuals with a degree in the arts end up working in fields unrelated to their artistic expertise.

Secondly, although art and music are often greatly respected and appreciated, it is possible to survive without them. On the other hand, science and technology are necessary to provide power, water, medicine, communications, food and much more. Therefore, we could argue that experts in these fields are far more valuable. For instance, in times of crisis or natural disasters, it is scientific advancements that prove critical in saving lives and rebuilding communities.

In conclusion, I believe scientists and technology experts contribute significantly more to society than artists. They have more job opportunities and play a vital part in fields like healthcare, infrastructure, and innovation. While art and music hold great cultural value, the role of science and technology in providing essential services and improving lives makes them more valuable contributors to society overall.
 

Writing a good introduction

An introduction for an opinion essay should start by restating the question in your own words. Sometimes it is difficult to find synonyms for some keywords, and if you try, you might choose a term that is slightly different in meaning, and you risk losing marks for not answering the question. For example, in our essay question, it might be hard to paraphrase the key phrases “scientists and technology experts” and “artists” without risking changing their meaning. What we have done is change the rest of the sentence:

Question statement: Scientists and technology experts are more valuable to society than artists.

Paraphrased version: It is often argued that scientists and technology experts contribute more to society than artists.

Then, clearly state your stance, saying if you agree or disagree, and introduce the reasons you’ll discuss in your essay’s body paragraphs.

Our introduction, for instance, paraphrases the topic about scientists and technology experts, announces agreement, and presents two reasons: the impact on the economy and essential services. These are the reasons that we need to use in the body paragraphs.
 

Describing effects

The following link words can be used to describe the effect of one thing on something else:

Consequently / Therefore / As a result

Consequently, as a result and therefore often start a sentence and are followed by a comma. When sentences are short, they can link to the previous sentence by using and.

• There tend to be fewer jobs available for creative workers. As a result, creative people often spend more time unemployed.
• Science and technology are necessary in order to provide power, water, medicine, communications, food and much more. Therefore, we could argue that experts in these fields are far more valuable.
• Creative people often spend more time unemployed or in temporary, low-skilled jobs, and consequently, they contribute less to society financially.

Thus

Thus is more often used after and to link two parts of a sentence.

• I believe that creative arts are a luxury not a necessity, and thus experts in these fields are less valuable to society.

So

So never starts a sentence when used to describe an effect. It links two sentences and is normally used after a comma.

• I believe that creative arts are a luxury not a necessity, so experts in these fields are less valuable to society.

Making Generalisations

When we write short opinion essays, we cannot include many details to prove that a statement is true. Therefore we make generalisations. It is important to use language carefully to show that you are making a generalisation, as it makes the information in your essay more accurate and respectable.

Example:

• Creative people spend more time unemployed.

This statement is probably not accurate. Some people’s value is probably linked to their income, but we don’t have that information. As a result, we should change the language to make the sentence more accurate

• Creative people often spend more time unemployed.

Rarely, often, generally and tend to can be used to make generalisations about frequency.

• Artists rarely receive the same level of consistent financial support
• Scientists and technicians generally find work easily.
• There tend to be fewer jobs available for creative workers.

The modal verbs can and may are also useful for making generalisations.

• Creative people may spend a long time working on projects that are financially unviable.
• Creative jobs can be hard to find.

Some, most or the majority of are useful for making generalisations about number.

• The majority of scientists and technology experts find work easily.
• Most people with a degree in the arts end up working in fields unrelated to their artistic expertise.
• Some of their work will go down in history.

Acknowledging alternative opinions

In your essay, you should focus on supporting the opinion that you stated in the title. However, it is a good idea to acknowledge that alternative opinions exist. To do this, use link words that show contrast:

• While there is a shortage of scientists and technicians, there tend to be fewer jobs available for creative workers.
• While art and music hold great cultural value, the role of science and technology in providing essential services and improving lives makes them more valuable contributors to society overall.
• It is possible to survive without art and music. On the other hand, science and technology are necessary.
• I admire a number of artists and musicians. However, I believe that creative arts are a luxury not a necessity.
• Although art and music are often greatly respected and appreciated, it is possible to survive without them.

Note how while and although link a sentence with two parts, and on the other hand and however start a contrasting sentence and are followed by a comma.
 

Useful language

Introducing a statement or view:

• It is often suggested/argued/claimed that…
• Many people argue/claim that… 
• It is often agreed that…
• It is widely believed/thought that…

Agreeing and disagreeing:

• I agree/concur with this view/opinion/assertion.
• I totally/completely agree with this view/opinion/assertion.
• I share this view/opinion/assertion.
• I don’t agree with this view/opinion/assertion.
• I don’t share this view/opinion/assertion.

Giving your opinion:

• In my opinion,…
• To my mind,…
• I personally think/feel that…
• I believe that…
• I hold the view that…
• We could argue that…

Introducing and sequencing the supporting arguments:

• Firstly,… / First of all,…
• Secondly,… / Additionally / Another point to consider is that…
• Finally,…

Giving examples:

• For example,…
• An example of this is…
• For instance,…

Introducing the conclusion:

• In conclusion,…
• To sum up,…
• To conclude,…