W32: Opinion essays

Opinion essays ask, "Do you agree or disagree?" or "To what extent do you agree?" They're the most common Task 2 type. The examiner wants one thing above all: a clear opinion, supported by well-developed reasons, from the first paragraph to the last.

Why this matters

Opinion essays seem easy, so many students write them carelessly. They sit on the fence, or they agree in the introduction and argue the opposite in the body. A clear structure prevents both mistakes.

Two structures that work

Structure A: Strong opinion (fully agree or fully disagree)

• Introduction: paraphrase + clear position
• Body 1: reason 1, developed
• Body 2: reason 2, developed
• Conclusion: restate position

Structure B: Partly agree

• Introduction: paraphrase + "I partly agree" with the reason for each side
• Body 1: the part you agree with
• Body 2: the part you disagree with, or the limit
• Conclusion: restate your balanced position

Both structures can score highly. Choose the one that matches your real ideas.

The question

"Some people believe that all young people should be required to do unpaid community work in their free time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Model essay (Structure B, about 290 words)

It is sometimes suggested that every young person should have to spend part of their free time doing unpaid work in their community. I agree that such work is valuable, but I do not believe it should be compulsory for all.

There is no doubt that community work can benefit young people as much as the communities they serve. Volunteering at a local clinic, school or environmental project allows teenagers to develop practical skills, such as teamwork and responsibility, that are rarely taught in classrooms. It can also help them understand the problems faced by people outside their own social circle. For example, a student who helps at a centre for elderly people may become more patient and more aware of the needs of others. These experiences can shape young people into more caring and active citizens.

However, making this work compulsory for everyone would create problems. Many young people already have heavy demands on their time. In Bangladesh, for instance, students preparing for public examinations often study late into the evening, and some teenagers from low-income families must work part-time to support their households. Forcing them to give up their remaining free time could increase stress and even harm their studies. Furthermore, work done unwillingly is unlikely to have the positive effect on character that supporters hope for.

In conclusion, while community work offers real benefits to young people and society, I believe it should be strongly encouraged rather than required. Schools and governments could offer incentives, such as certificates or credit towards university applications, so that young people choose to take part.

Why this essay works

• Clear position in the introduction: valuable, but not compulsory.
• Each body paragraph has one main idea, explained and supported with an example.
• Consistent position: the body paragraphs match the introduction, and the conclusion repeats it.
• Relevant local example: students preparing for exams in Bangladesh. Using your own context is fine and natural.
• A solution in the conclusion that fits the position, without adding a new argument.

Useful phrases for opinion essays

• I strongly agree / disagree that...
• I agree with this view to a large extent.
• While I accept that..., I believe that...
• There is no doubt that...
• However, ... would create problems.

Try it yourself

Write an introduction using Structure A for the same question, fully agreeing.

Sample answer: "Some people argue that young people should be obliged to do unpaid community work in their spare time. I completely agree, as it builds valuable life skills and strengthens local communities."

Honest note

The examiner doesn't care which side you take. A well-argued "disagree" scores the same as a well-argued "agree". Choose the side you can support most clearly.

Your task today

Write a full opinion essay on this question in 40 minutes, using Structure A. Then compare it with the model.