aiMOOC

E7 M - Write a short opinion text

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E7 M - Write a short opinion text

Mini-Beschreibung: Write a short, clear opinion text about a familiar topic. State your position, give reasons, add an example and finish with a short conclusion.

Level: English, Klasse 7, M-Niveau, Baden-Württemberg

Start with media: What do you think?

Look first. Then speak.

Choose one:

School trips are useful.
Learning outside is fun.
Group work helps me learn.

Say one sentence: I think ... because ...

Hint: Give your opinion first. Then add one reason.

Deutsch nur wenn nötig: Sage zuerst Deine Meinung und begründe sie mit because.

I can ...

After this aiMOOC, you can:

state your opinion clearly: I think ... / In my opinion, ...
give two simple reasons: First, ... / Also, ... / because ...
add one example: For example, ...
write a short conclusion: So, I think ...
read your text again and improve it with a short checklist.

What you already know

You already know many useful building blocks:

Function	Useful English
opinion	I think ... / In my opinion, ...
reason	because ... / First, ... / Also, ...
example	For example, ...
conclusion	So, I think ... / That is why ...

Try: Complete this sentence in your own words:

In my opinion, school trips are good because ...

Listening and Viewing

Video 1: Giving an opinion politely

Watch this short BBC Learning English video. First, listen for the main idea. On the second viewing, notice phrases for giving an opinion politely.

Before watching: Which phrase sounds softer: You are wrong. or I think this may be different.?

While watching:

Listen for one verb that can introduce an opinion.
Notice how speakers can sound less direct.

After watching: Say one polite opinion about a familiar school topic.

Hint: Start with I think ... or I believe ....

Video 2: Structure of an opinion paragraph

Watch for the basic parts of an opinion paragraph.

Viewing task: Write down four labels while you watch: position – reason – example – conclusion

Do not copy a full model text. Use the structure for your own ideas.

Listening challenge: Different voices

For a slightly more authentic listening task, listen to the first part of this BBC Learning English podcast. You do not need to understand every word.

Focus task:

How many different voices can you hear?
Listen for one phrase that gives an opinion.
Write only the key words you understand.

Hint: Meaning first, details second. Do not stop for every unknown word.

Reading: Notice the structure

Read the fictional model text.

Topic: Are school trips useful?

In my opinion, school trips are a good way to learn. First, you can see things that are difficult to understand in a classroom. Also, a trip can make a topic more interesting. For example, in a museum you can look closely at real objects from history. You can ask questions and talk about what you see. So, I think school trips can make learning more active and memorable.

Notice:

Position: The writer gives a clear opinion at the beginning.
Reasons: The writer explains why.
Example: One concrete example makes the reason clearer.
Conclusion: The final sentence returns to the main opinion.

Your turn: Find the words First, Also, For example and So. What job does each word do?

Deutsch-Hilfe: Diese Signalwörter zeigen Dir die Textstruktur. Übersetze nicht den ganzen Text. Nutze den Kontext.

Vocabulary in context

Meaning in the text	Useful word or phrase	Example
Meinung nennen	in my opinion	In my opinion, clubs are useful.
Grund nennen	because	I like projects because I can create things.
ersten Punkt ordnen	first	First, it is easy to join.
weiteren Punkt ergänzen	also	Also, you can meet new people.
Beispiel geben	for example	For example, we can make a class poster.
Schluss ziehen	so	So, I think the idea is helpful.

Mini-task: Choose three phrases and make three new sentences about one familiar topic.

Pronunciation: Make your opinion clear

Clear speech is more important than sounding like a native speaker.

Read these aloud:

In my opinion, school trips are useful.
I think group work is helpful because we can share ideas.
For example, we can solve a task together.
So, I think it is a good idea.

Speaking focus: Stress the important content words. Pause briefly before your example and your conclusion.

Optional recording: Record yourself only if you want to. Keep recordings private unless you have clearly agreed to share them.

Speaking: Build an opinion in 30 seconds

Choose one topic:

Reading at school
School clubs
Learning outside
Working with a partner

Use this speaking frame:

Position: I think ...

Reason 1: First, ...

Reason 2: Also, ...

Example: For example, ...

Conclusion: So, I think ...

Feedback with a partner: Listen for the four parts. Give one positive comment and one useful suggestion.

Writing: Your short opinion text

Write about 70–100 words. Use a familiar topic and keep your ideas clear.

Step 1 – Plan

What is your position?
What are your two best reasons?
What is one concrete example?
How will you end?

Step 2 – Write

Use this simple plan:

In my opinion, ...

First, ... because ...

Also, ...

For example, ...

So, I think ...

Step 3 – Improve

Read your text again. Check:

Is my position clear?
Do I give at least two reasons?
Do I give one example?
Do I use linking words?
Is my conclusion short and clear?
Did I check spelling, capital letters and full stops?

Functional grammar for this task

You do not need difficult grammar to write a good short opinion text.

Useful choices:

Present simple for general ideas: School trips help us learn.
can for possibilities: We can see real objects.
should for a recommendation: Schools should offer clubs.
because to connect a statement and a reason: I like group work because we can share ideas.

Try: Join the two ideas.

I like learning outside. It feels more active.

Possible structure: I like learning outside because ...

E-lookout only: In later courses you may meet the past perfect. You do not need it for this task.

Mediation: Say the idea, not every word

A German-speaking classmate says:

Ich finde AGs gut, weil man dort neue Dinge ausprobieren und andere Schülerinnen und Schüler kennenlernen kann.

Give the key idea in simple English in two or three sentences. Do not translate every word.

Hint: I think school clubs are ... because ... You can ...

Feedback and improvement

Use this short peer-feedback pattern:

1. Notice: Your opinion is clear.

2. Ask: Can you add one example?

3. Improve: The writer changes one or two sentences.

4. Use again: Read the new version aloud or use the same structure for a new topic.

If you use AI for feedback, keep control of your own text: check whether the language still matches your level and your meaning. Do not let AI replace your own writing. Do not upload private information or recordings to external services without permission.

Mini-transfer

New situation:

Your class can choose one new lunchtime activity.

Write five sentences:

your position
reason 1
reason 2
one example
a short conclusion

Try first without the writing frame. Use the frame only if you need help.

Self-check: Can-do

Tick what you can do:

□ I can state my opinion in English.

□ I can give two simple reasons.

□ I can add a useful example.

□ I can use linking words such as because, also and for example.

□ I can finish with a short conclusion.

□ I can improve my text after feedback.

If you tick four or more boxes, try the Mini-transfer again with a new topic.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

Which sentence clearly gives a position? (In my opinion, school trips are useful.) (!For example, we visited a museum.) (!First, we looked at a map.) (!So, that was Tuesday.)

Which word is best for giving a reason? (because) (!yesterday) (!maybe) (!museum)

Which phrase introduces an example? (For example, ...) (!In the morning, ...) (!Last year, ...) (!How are you?)

What should come after your position in a short opinion text? (a reason) (!a random new topic) (!your address) (!a long dialogue)

Which sentence is a useful conclusion? (So, I think school clubs are a good idea.) (!First, there are two doors.) (!For example, my bag is blue.) (!Because we can.)

Which sentence uses because correctly? (I like group work because we can share ideas.) (!Because group work.) (!I like because.) (!Group work because and.)

Which modal can show a recommendation? (should) (!did) (!was) (!has)

What makes a reason easier to understand? (a concrete example) (!a new unrelated topic) (!many difficult words) (!a very long title)

What is a good first step before writing? (plan your position and reasons) (!copy a complete text) (!change the topic many times) (!write without reading the task)

What should you do after feedback? (improve one or two useful points) (!replace your text with another person's text) (!delete all reasons) (!add private information)

Memory

position	your main opinion
reason	why you think something
example	a concrete case
conclusion	a short final thought
because	connects an idea with a reason
for example	introduces a concrete case

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
In my opinion	Position
First	First reason
Also	Second reason
For example	Example
So, I think	Conclusion

Kreuzworträtsel

opinion	What is your personal view called in English?
reason	What explains why you think something?
example	What makes an idea concrete?
because	Which word often connects an idea and its reason?
first	Which word can introduce your first reason?
conclusion	What is the final part of an opinion text called?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Opinion sentence: Write five different sentences that start with I think or In my opinion.
Reason builder: Choose one familiar topic and write three reasons with because.
Example finder: Add one concrete example to each of three simple reasons.
Speaking card: Prepare a 20-second opinion with position, one reason and one example.

Standard

Five-sentence opinion: Write five connected sentences with position, two reasons, one example and a conclusion.
Partner feedback: Exchange texts with a partner and give one positive comment plus one specific suggestion.
Media response: Watch one video from this aiMOOC again and write three useful phrases you can use in your own speaking or writing.
Mediation mini-task: Take a short German opinion about a familiar school or hobby topic and pass on the main idea in simple English.

Schwer

Two-topic challenge: Write two short opinion texts on different familiar topics without using the writing frame.
Mini presentation: Give a one-minute opinion talk with two reasons and one example. Notes are allowed.
Revision challenge: Write a first version, collect feedback and produce a second version. Mark only the changes that improved clarity.
Compare structures: Compare a short spoken opinion with a short written opinion. Explain in English which parts are the same and which are different.

Lernkontrolle

Structure transfer: You receive a new familiar topic. Plan a position, two reasons, one example and a conclusion before writing.
Reason quality: Compare two reasons for the same opinion. Explain which one is clearer because it is more specific.
Improve a text: Rewrite a short opinion text that has no linking words and no example. Make the structure easy to follow.
Feedback decision: Read three feedback comments and decide which change would improve the text most. Explain your choice.
Speaking to writing: Listen to or read a short spoken opinion and turn its main ideas into a short written paragraph without copying every word.
New context: Use the same opinion structure for a topic outside school, such as a hobby, a local activity or free time.

Lernnachweis

For a successful Lernnachweis, show that you can:

write a short opinion text of about 70–100 words on a familiar topic.
state a clear position.
support it with at least two understandable reasons.
include at least one concrete example.
use simple linking words correctly.
finish with a short conclusion.
revise your own text after feedback.
explain one improvement you made and why it helps the reader.

No external upload is needed for the Lernnachweis.

OERs zum Thema

For background on text functions and the basic structure of an argumentative text:

Free media used in this aiMOOC come from Wikimedia Commons. The videos are used as external learning media; check the provider page for current availability and terms.

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