1. Provide your Opinion
verbs of opinion are usually in the simple form, while actions are in the continuous. For example:
I think he’s a wonderful person [opinion]
I’m thinking about my next holiday [action right now]
I think / reckon that President Obama is a poor leader.
I believe he’s the best player of all time.
I don’t think he’ll do that.
Sorry, but I feel it’s not the right time to do this.
I don’t believe that’s true.
In my opinion, this just isn’t right.

2. Speculating
He seems to be more tired than usual.
She can’t be American – I think she’s Australian with that hat!
He’s probably in his 30’s. He can’t be older.
She must be late – her car is not here yet.
Talking About Facts
Paris has a population of 8 million people.
President Obushma is the most popular president since the 1980’s.
Victoria is located in southern Australia.

3. Common phrases
Formal ways of expressing your opinion characteristic of written English:
In my opinion
In my view
From my point of view
Less formal equivalents more characteristic of spoken English:
To my mind
I feel
I reckon
If you ask me
To be honest (with you)
As far as I am concerned

4. Example How acceptable is it for wild animals to be kept in zoos?
I believe that it is quite unacceptable for animals to be kept in zoos. It seems to me that when they are confined to a cage they never have enough room to move around. I would argue that it is kinder to allow a rare animal to die naturally in the wilds rather than to prolong its life artificially in a zoo.

5. Clarying an opinion
It may sometimes be necessary to explain a thought in greater detail. Useful linking expressions for doing this include:
By this I mean…
Here I'm referring to…
To be more precise…
That is to say…

6. Example:
By spending money on confining wild animals to zoos, we are wasting resources. By this I mean there are more urgent economic problems to deal with: hospitals and schools should be our first priority.

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