LESSON 21

WRITING TASK 2
Discussion essay
REVIEW
Opinion Essay
Some people consider public libraries to be
unnecessary due to the availability of the
Internet. Others, however, believe that libraries
play an important role in society.

Discuss both views and give your own

opinion.
 OPINION ESSAY

Question 1 Question 2
How many ways are there How do you organize the
to express your body paragraphs in each
opinion? way?
Discussion Essay
 How do you structure your
essay?
Some people consider public libraries to be unnecessary
due to the availability of the Internet. Others, however,
believe that libraries play an important role in society.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

 Opening
Background statement: It is sometimes argue that…/ Opinions are divided over…
Thesis statement:
Although there are some benefits to…, I am of the opinion that…
While many people believe that…, I maintain the opinion that

Body 1
Support the opposite view
On the one hand, the idea of … is beneficial for several reasons
The argument that ... is reasonable to some extent.

Body 2
Support your view
Despite the above mentioned ideas, I believe that…
On the other hand, there are a variety of reasons why I believe

Essay Conclusion
In conclusion, while some claim that…, I believe that…

Structure
*Summarize your ideas
 Quick tip
In discussion essays, sometimes you are not required to
present your opinion. For example:

Some people think that the internet has brought

people together while others think that people
have become more isolated now.
Discuss both views.

In this case: Do not include your opinion

 Opening
Background statement: It is sometimes argue that…/ Opinions are divided over…
Thesis statement:
Although there are some benefits to…, there are also good reasons why…

Body 1
Support the first view
On the one hand, the idea of … is beneficial for several reasons

Body 2
Support the second view
On the other hand, it is also understandable that

Essay Conclusion
Structure In conclusion, while there are convincing arguments for …,
… is reasonable to some extent.

without opinion *Summarize your ideas

Public library Internet
❖ Idea 1: Online libraries saves commuting time

❖ Idea 2: Online libraries are affordable

❖ Idea 3: Offline libraries are authentic

❖ Idea 4: Offline libraries provides an ideal working space

Support the ideas above

Opinions are divided over whether government-run libraries still serve a crucial function nowadays given the omnipresence of computers
and the Internet. While many people argue that such places have become irrelevant in today’s society, I am of the opinion that they still
play a prominent role in terms of credibility and environment.

On the one hand, it is understandable why state-funded libraries are considered obsolete. Despite their identical roles in imparting
knowledge to the masses, some people would not prefer libraries as they can shave some commuting time off by reading on a computer
in the comfort of their own home. Admittedly, for those who live away from the city centers where libraries are generally situated,
spending a significant amount of time traveling back and forth could be a nuisance. Another plausible reason why reading online
becomes preferable is due to its affordability. Unlike physical libraries where people might have to pay for entrance fees and renting fees,
online libraries offer free access to a variety of resources while making money off advertising. This, in fact, has made education become
more accessible to the public, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

On the other hand, the existence of the utmost importance considering their authenticity and the distinct atmosphere they offer. While
readers might come across unreliable resources from dubious online sites, at libraries nevertheless people will have no trust issues.
Thanks to their strict quality control, public libraries always ensure their materials are from trusted authors and legitimate publishers. This
explains why people can feel confident when disseminating information acquired from such places. Public libraries also provide people
with an ideal working space. Instinctively, people have a propensity to work more productively when surrounded by hard-working people
who can normally be found in libraries Moreover, libraries with strict rules of conduct such as no phones or no chatting can remove
people from all the possible distractors, leading to a focused and motivated working attitude.

In conclusion, although reading online can be an economical and time-saving method to approach knowledge public libraries is of, I hold
the view that public libraries can not be supplanted considering their trustworthy materials and an inspiring working environment.
 Useful vocabulary
1. government-run libraries 10. could be a nuisance
2. state-funded libraries 11. making money off advertising
3. serve a crucial function 12. become more accessible to the public
4. omnipresence 13. those from economically
5. become irrelevant in today’s society disadvantaged backgrounds
6. play a prominent role 14. be of the utmost importance
7. obsolete 15. dubious online sites
8. identical roles in 16. have a propensity to
9. shave some commuting time off 17. disseminating information
18. legitimate publishers
19. supplant
Practice Task
Some people say students should live alone
when going to university while others believe
they should live with their parents during this
period.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

 LIVING ALONE

PROS CONS
 1. develop a sense of responsibility: hình thành tính trách nhiệm
2. manage expenses/budgets/personal spending: quản lý chi tiêu
3. life-changing decision: quyết định trọng đại
4. essential life skills: những kỹ năng sống thiết yếu

Useful 5.
6.
stable source of income: nguồn thu nhập ổn định
take on the upcoming challenges: đương đầu với những thử

Vocabulary
thách sắp tới
7. earn a living on one's own: tự trang trải cuộc sống
8. save a considerable amount of money: tiết kiệm một khoản tiền
đáng kể
9. low-income families: những gia đình có thu nhập thấp
10. financial issues: vấn đề tài chính
11. receive emotional support: nhận được sự trợ giúp về tình cảm
12. get familiar with: làm quen với
13. crucial stage: giai đoạn then chốt
14. overcome the difficulties: vượt qua những khó khăn
15. settle in: ổn định cuộc sống ở
16. absolute best option: phương án tốt nhất
17. be fully aware of: nhận thức đầy đủ được
18. feasible/viable/practical: khả thi
REVIEW
Find words in the sample essay
that mean…

● public libraries ● unreliable

● be important ● legal
● the state of being widespread
● have a tendency to
● out of date ● poor people
● replace
What types of essays have we
learned?
Causes - Problems - Advantages -
Solutions Essay Disadvantages Essay

Discussion Essay Opinion Essay

Other Types of Essay
 Two-part Question Essay
Success is often measured by wealth and material
possessions. Do you think wealth is the best
measure of success? What makes a successful
person?
In education and employment, some people work harder
than others. Why do some people work harder? Is it
always a good thing to work hard?

Successful companies use advertising to make more

sales. What can make an advertisement effective?
Do you think advertising is a bad thing or a good
thing for society?

You must answer both questions

fully!
Positive-Negative Development
Essay
Nowadays more people are choosing to socialize online
rather than face to face. Is this a positive or negative
development?

Many employers are now offering their employees the

option to work from home. As a result, employees will
have much more flexible hours in the future. Is this a
positive or negative development?

Use the same structure as Opinion

essays!
THANKS!
Do you have any questions?

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