TEN STEPS TO WRITING A SUCCESSFUL OPINION COMPOSITION Presentation by Tatiana Doronina, Enlgish teacher at Obninsk Gymnasium School

Social networks came into existence about ten years ago Social networks came into existence about ten years ago. Most people are very enthusiastic about their growing popularity, while others believe they present a serious problem for modern society. Write an opinion composition using 250 words on the topic “Are social networks one of the best inventions ever, or are they social evil which we don’t fully realize yet?”

Planning your writing Introduction (restate the problem)- para 1 Your opinion on the problem (2-3 arguments in support)- para 2 The opposite opinion (2-3 arguments against your view)- para 3 Proving that they are wrong! –para 4 Conclusion – para 5

Brainstorming the topic vocabulary Social networks, networking, on the Internet, to log in, keep a blog, virtual, share your ideas, online, professional communities, Facebook, Twitter, etc. A craze for, addiction, time-eater, disclose information, privacy, means of, total control, intelligence agencies/services, Julian Assange Face a problem, cause/create problems, solve/ tackle the problem, provide smb with smth., be/pose/present/ represent a threat, see/realize/recognize danger,

Ideas in support of your view Convenient means of communication, a chance to chat, exchange news and ideas, discuss the latest events Help to get in touch with people you once knew, or make new friends with people having the same interests Great opportunity to share your ideas for professional communities, different subcultures, people with the same hobbies Great fun, a lot of entertainment(music, films, videos, etc.)

The opposite opinion (disadvantages) Causing addiction, psychological problems, replacement of real activities with virtual business and relationships, the biggest time-eater Loss of privacy, revealing/disclosing personal information, which can be used by different groups of people to do you harm; dangerous acquaintances. Powerful means of total control, secret weapon of intelligence services (reference to Julian Assange)

Useful phrases for introduction Over the last few decades… There is a growing concern about… In recent years (smth.) has (have) become… It is widely accepted that…However,…. (Smth.) is perhaps the biggest problem of/in… Many people agree that… One of the most controversial issues of … Although it is true that… Nowadays more and more people…

Useful phrases for expressing opinion In my opinion,… In my view,… I (personally) believe that… I take the view that… I tend to think that… It seems to me that… I hold a different opinion… I am of the opinion that… I would like to stress that… I am absolutely convinced that… As far as I am concerned…

Adding (listing) arguments Firstly, … Secondly, … Also, … In addition, … Furthermore, … Moreover, … Another good reason is… The good/great/best thing about… is… The last but not least… Above all, … On top of that… As a matter of fact, A further argument of favour of… is…

How to refute the arguments of the opposite side and summerise your writing I am afraid I cannot agree with this view. It is easy for me to counter/ refute/reject these arguments. I personally find these arguments weak. To sum up,… In conclusion, … As we have seen, … All in all, … Having discussed both views on the problem… To conclude, … As we have seen, it is a complex issue…

TEN STEPS TO WRITING A SUCCESSFUL OPINION COMPOSITION Understanding the rubric Brainstorming the topic-related vocabulary Planning and drawing a spider-diagram Thinking of the reasons supporting your opinion Thinking of the reasons supporting the opposite view Writing the draft version (para by para + step 7) Counting words immediately after finishing a para Reading aloud your writing to the class Listening to the teacher’s evaluation and making corrections Assessing your writing on the C2 scale