The opening
Don’t know how to start? You are not alone. The hardest part of any text is the first sentence. The trick is simple: never copy the question. Set the topic in your own words, or ask a question that makes the reader want to continue.
Where is the best place to live: a busy city or a quiet village?①
These days, more and more people are moving from the countryside to big cities.②
Asking a question pulls the reader in straight away. It also shows the topic without copying the task.
Starting with a true, general idea about the topic is a safe, strong way to open. Both work — pick one.
Write your own opening for this topic: Is it better to do sport outdoors or in a gym?
One sentence. Do not copy the question — set the topic or ask a question.
Many people want to keep fit, but they do not always agree on the best place to do it.
Your opinion
After the opening, tell the reader clearly what you think. A good opinion is short, clear and specific. Use a fixed phrase to introduce it so it is impossible to miss.
In my opinion,① a city is a better place for young people.②
In my opinion / I think / I believe / In my view — these tell the reader your idea is coming.
«A better place for young people» is clear. «Cities are good» is too vague to score.
Give your opinion on: Is it better to do sport outdoors or in a gym?
Use an opinion phrase and be specific.
In my opinion, doing sport outdoors is much healthier and more enjoyable than going to a gym.
Give a reason
An opinion on its own is not enough — the reader wants to know why. Connect your opinion to a reason with words like because, as or so.
I think cities are exciting because① there are lots of shops, restaurants and things to do.②
because joins the opinion and the reason in one smooth sentence.
The reason really supports the opinion. It explains why cities are exciting.
Add a reason to your opinion about sport outdoors or in a gym.
Opinion + because + reason, in one sentence.
I think doing sport outdoors is better because fresh air and natural light make exercise feel less like hard work.
Add an example
A reason becomes much stronger with a real example. For example and such as let you show the reader exactly what you mean.
There are many things to do in a city. For example,① you can visit museums, go shopping or meet friends in a café.②
For example, tells the reader an illustration is coming. A comma always follows it.
Real, specific examples (museums, shopping, cafés) are far more convincing than «many things».
Add an example to your reason about doing sport outdoors.
Start with For example, and give something concrete.
For example, running in a park or cycling along the coast is far more relaxing than staring at a wall in a gym.
Linking your ideas
Short, separate sentences sound like a list. Linking words join your ideas so the text flows. At B1 you only need a handful: and, but, also, so, however.
I love living in a city, but① it can be expensive. However,② there are many jobs, so③ it is easier to earn money.
Joins two ideas that contrast, inside one sentence.
Also shows contrast, but starts a new sentence. Comma after it.
Shows a result: jobs → easier to earn money.
Rewrite these short sentences as one or two, using linking words:
Cities are busy. Cities are exciting. Cities are expensive.
Cities are busy and exciting, but they are also quite expensive.
The closing
A text needs a clear ending. Signal it, repeat your opinion in different words, and — this is the golden rule — never add a new idea in the conclusion.
To sum up,① I believe that living in a city is better for young people,② even though the countryside is more relaxing.
To sum up / In conclusion tells the reader the end is here.
The opinion returns, in new words. No new information is added.
Write your closing for the topic sport outdoors or in a gym.
Signal + your opinion again, in new words. No new idea.
To sum up, although a gym is useful in bad weather, I am convinced that doing sport outdoors is better for both body and mind.
Put it all together
You now have all six pieces. A full text is just those pieces in the right order. Here is the complete model — every block you learned is colour-coded.
Where is the best place to live: a busy city or a quiet village? In my opinion, a city is a better place for young people.
I think this because there are more opportunities to study, work and have fun. For example, in a city you can find many schools, jobs and places to meet friends.
Of course, cities can be noisy and expensive, but they are also exciting and full of life.
To sum up, although the countryside is more relaxing, I believe a city is the best choice for any young person who wants an active life.
Blue = opening · Green = opinion / closing · Purple = reason & links · Brown = example · Red = closing signal
Now write your own complete text: Is it better to do sport outdoors or in a gym?
Use all seven blocks: opening, opinion, reason, example, linking, closing.
- My opening does not copy the question
- I give a clear opinion with an opinion phrase
- I give at least one reason (because / as / so)
- I include at least one example (for example / such as)
- I use linking words (and, but, also, however, so)
- My closing repeats the opinion and adds no new idea
- I have written between 80 and 120 words
Many people want to keep fit, but they do not always agree on the best place to do it. In my opinion, doing sport outdoors is much better than going to a gym. I think this because fresh air and natural light make exercise feel less like hard work. For example, running in a park or cycling along the coast is far more relaxing than staring at a wall indoors. Of course, a gym is useful in bad weather, but it can also be crowded and boring. To sum up, although a gym has its advantages, I am convinced that doing sport outdoors is better for both body and mind.