Topic, plans and tips

1. ECPE Writing
Opinion Essay

2. Tolerance
Nowadays, societies worldwide are
not homogeneous. In what ways do
you think people differ from one
another? How can we co-exist and
accept difference? Elaborate on
your opinion by adding reasons and
examples.

3. Plan
Intro: heterogeneity is the rule
Par. 1 (main body): factors that determine
difference (remember sex, age, religion, race/
colour/ origin, etc.), mention example
Par.2 (main body): ways to coexist-> be tolerant->
how? -> individual, family, school, mention example
Conclusion: sum up, more personal thoughts/ a
message/ a warning

4. Basic Opinion Phrases
As far as I am concerned, ...
I am (not) convinced that ...
In my opinion/view ...
My opinion is that ...
I (firmly)believe ...
I (definitely) feel/think that ...

5. Basic DOs in Writing Opinion Essays:
Write in a formal style
Introduce the topic clearly
State clear topic sentences
Use generalizations
Use quotations

6. Basic DONTs in Writing an Opinion Essay
Don’t use colloquial expressions
Don’t use short forms
Don’t use emotive vocabulary
Don’t use over-generalizations
Don’t use statistics without proper referencing
Don’t give personal examples

7. Useful Links
All ECPE links on the Students’ Page
Advice on how to write an ECPE essay
ECPE benchmark essays from Michigan:
• A Honors sample essay
• B Pass sample essay
• C Minimum Pass sample essay
• D Fail sample essay