If you are preparing for the TOEFL test, you know that your independent essay needs a thesis. A thesis is a fancy word for opinion. Your opinion is the starting point of your argument (essay).
Okay, so you write an independent essay and you think you've got a opinion. Great. But how do you know if your opinion is really an opinion or not without guessing? In other words, how can you give the TOEFL writing raters what they are trained to look for? By following these rules when writing an opinion.
1) an opinion is arguable
2) an opinion is supportable
3) an opinion is never a question
4) an opinion has a topic and a controlling idea
5) an opinion is not a sentence fragment
6) an opinion focuses on one topic
7) an opinion does not announce what you will talk about.
Look at some examples.
1) Brazil: A great soccer team.
Not an opinion. It is a sentence fragment. It is missing the verb "is".
2) Manhattan is a big city.
Not an opinion. This is a fact thus not arguable.
3) Taking the bus is cheap and I can do my homework on it.
Not an opinion. There are two topics: the bus and homework. This demonstrates a lack of topical unity and a lack of coherence.
4) Personally, I believe that the TOEFL iBT is harder than IELTS.
Opinion. It is arguable, supportable, not a question, has a topic (TOEFL iBT) and a controlling idea (harder than IELTS), is not a sentence fragment, focuses on one topic, and does not announce what the writer will argue.
Remember: The writing raters will look at your opinion first. Make sure your opinion is coherent (an opinion) by testing it against the checklist.
Want to learn more basic and advanced opinion strategies? It's all in Speaking and Writing Strategies for the TOEFL iBT.
Got a TOEFL question? Ask the Pro!
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© Bruce Stirling 2010-2011
