E8 G - Write a short opinion text
E8 G - Write a short opinion text
Mini-Beschreibung: Write a short opinion text with an opinion, a reason and an example. Use a simple writing frame. Du arbeitest zuerst auf Englisch. Deutsche Hilfe kommt nur dann, wenn Du sie brauchst.

Media start: What do you think?
Look at the picture. Think of one school topic you know well, for example homework, lunch breaks, reading time or group work.
Try first: Say one sentence:
In my opinion, ...
Then add:
... because ...

Watch the first video once. First try to understand the main idea. Do not stop after every word.
First viewing: What are the three important parts of an opinion paragraph?
Second viewing: Watch again with captions if you need them. Check your answer.
I can ...
After this aiMOOC, you can say:
- I can give my opinion.
- I can give one clear reason.
- I can add one example.
- I can connect my ideas with because, for example and so.
- I can write a short opinion text of about 5–7 sentences.
- I can check my own text with a simple checklist.
What you already know
You already know many words for everyday topics. You can also write simple sentences in the Simple Present.
Quick try:
Complete these ideas in your head:
I like ...
I do not like ...
I think ... is useful.
I think ... is not a good idea.
If this is difficult, use one familiar topic: school lunch, homework, sports, music, phones at school, group work.
The three-part structure
A short opinion text can be very simple:
- Opinion: What do you think?
- Reason: Why do you think this?
- Example: What example supports your reason?

Remember the short code:
O – R – E
Opinion – Reason – Example
Reading: A model text
Topic: Should schools have longer lunch breaks?
In my opinion, schools should have longer lunch breaks. I think this is a good idea because students need time to eat and relax. For example, they can finish their lunch and still go outside for a few minutes. They can also talk to friends. So, a longer lunch break can make the school day better.
Find it:
- Which sentence gives the opinion?
- Which word introduces the reason?
- Which phrase introduces the example?
- Which word starts the final idea?
Hint: Look for In my opinion, because, For example and So.
German help if needed: Suche Meinung → Grund → Beispiel → kurzer Schluss.
Context vocabulary
Use only words you really need.
| English | Simple meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| opinion | what you think | My opinion is clear. |
| reason | why you think something | My reason is simple. |
| example | a case that shows your idea | Here is an example. |
| useful | helpful | Homework can be useful. |
| fair | right for everyone | The rule is fair. |
| easier | not so difficult | Group work can make a task easier. |
| relax | rest | Students need time to relax. |
| improve | make better | Practice can improve your writing. |

Useful connectors:
In my opinion, ...
I think ... because ...
For example, ...
So, ...
Pronunciation
Clear speech is more important than a perfect accent.
Say these words slowly, then normally:
opinion – stress the middle part
reason – stress the first part
example – stress the second part
because – stress the second part
better – stress the first part

Try: Say this sentence twice:
In my opinion, group work is useful because students can help each other.
First slowly. Then at normal speed.
Listening and viewing
Watch the video again.
Before you use captions or a transcript:
- Listen for opinion.
- Listen for reason.
- Listen for example.
After your first listening attempt:
Check with captions if available. You do not need to understand every word.
Mini transcript for practice – not the video transcript:
“I think school clubs are a good idea because students can try new activities. For example, they can learn music, sport or art after lessons. So, clubs can make school more interesting.”
Listening check: What is the opinion? What is the reason? What is the example?
Speaking
Use the picture as a speaking signal.

Choose one topic:
homework – school clubs – reading time – group work – longer breaks
Speak for about 20–30 seconds.
Writing frame for speaking:
In my opinion, ...
I think this because ...
For example, ...
So, ...
Partner feedback: Your partner only checks three things: opinion, reason, example.
Recording: A recording is optional. Keep it private. Do not upload it unless your teacher has clearly asked you to do so and your school rules allow it.
Writing
Now write your own short opinion text.
Topic example: Should students have homework every day?
Writing frame: more help
In my opinion, ...
I think this because ...
For example, ...
Another small point is ...
So, ...
Aim for about 5–7 sentences.
Writing frame: less help
Write with these four steps:
Opinion → Reason → Example → Ending
Try to use your own words.
Try → ask → hint → German help
1. Try: Write your first sentence in English.
2. Ask yourself: What do I think? Why? What example can I give?
3. Hint: Use because for your reason and for example for your example.
4. German help if needed: Meinung → Grund → Beispiel → Schluss.
Do not translate a full German text word for word.
Functional grammar
For this task, simple grammar is enough.
because gives a reason:
I like group work because we can help each other.
so shows a result:
We have more time, so we can work carefully.
should can give an opinion about a good idea:
Schools should have reading time.
At G level, you do not need to produce difficult forms for this text.
You may meet a passive form such as:
Homework is given every day.
Understand the main message, but you do not need to use the passive here.
You may meet an earlier-past form such as:
Mia had finished her homework before dinner.
Understand that one past action happened earlier. You do not need to use the Past Perfect in your opinion text.
For simple reported speech, you can understand:
Mia says that homework is useful.
No backshift is needed for this learning goal.
Mediation mini-task
A German school notice says:
„Die Schülervertretung sammelt kurze Meinungen zu einer längeren Mittagspause. Nennt eure Meinung, einen Grund und ein Beispiel.“
Explain the task to an English-speaking classmate in two or three simple English sentences.
Do not translate every word. Give only the important information.
Check your text

Use this checklist:
- Do I give a clear opinion?
- Do I give at least one reason?
- Do I give one example?
- Do I use a connector such as because or for example?
- Do my sentences start with capital letters?
- Do my sentences end with full stops?
- Is my text about 5–7 sentences?
- Is the text in my own words?
Direct feedback
Use these short feedback codes:
O = opinion missing or unclear
R = reason missing
E = example missing
C = connector missing
S = sentence needs a small language check
Example:
I think longer breaks are good. O is clear. R is missing. Add: because students need time to relax.
Feedback should help you improve your own text. It should not replace your text.
Error analysis
Find the problem and improve the sentence.
1. I think homework is useful because.
Hint: A reason must come after because.
Better: I think homework is useful because it helps me practise.
2. In my opinion school clubs are good.
Hint: Add a comma after the opening phrase.
Better: In my opinion, school clubs are good.
3. For example students can read in the library.
Hint: Add a comma after the opening phrase.
Better: For example, students can read in the library.
4. I opinion longer breaks are better.
Hint: Use the full phrase.
Better: In my opinion, longer breaks are better.
One more media example
This video is a little longer and uses the idea of an opinion essay. For G level, focus only on the basic structure: opinion, reasons and a clear ending.
Viewing task: Stop after the explanation of the basic structure. Name one idea you can use in a short text. You do not need to copy the full essay structure.
Transfer
Write a new text without the full writing frame.
Choose one:
School should start later.
Every class should have ten minutes of reading time.
Group work is useful for difficult tasks.
Students should have more choice in project topics.
Use:
opinion + reason + example
Can-do check
| I can ... | Yes | Almost | Not yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| give my opinion | □ | □ | □ |
| give one reason | □ | □ | □ |
| add one example | □ | □ | □ |
| use because and for example | □ | □ | □ |
| write 5–7 connected sentences | □ | □ | □ |
| improve my text after feedback | □ | □ | □ |
If you have many ticks in Almost, use the writing frame one more time.
If you have many ticks in Yes, continue with E8 G - Improve an opinion text or Argumentation.
Safe and responsible use
Use fictional names and situations in practice texts. Do not share private social-media data.
Recordings are voluntary and should stay private unless your teacher gives a clear school-approved task.
If AI is used for learning, check its language, facts and feedback. Keep your own ideas and your own final text. Do not let AI replace your writing.
Interaktive Aufgaben
Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen
Which part tells the reader what you think? (Opinion) (!Example) (!Title) (!Question)
Which word often introduces a reason? (because) (!before) (!yesterday) (!maybe)
Which phrase can introduce an example? (For example) (!At night) (!Last year) (!Next door)
Which order is useful for a short opinion text? (Opinion reason example) (!Example title question) (!Reason question title) (!Ending example title)
Which sentence gives a clear opinion? (In my opinion, longer breaks are a good idea.) (!For example, we can go outside.) (!Because students need time.) (!At twelve o'clock.)
Which sentence gives a reason? (I like reading time because it helps me relax.) (!For example, I read comics.) (!In my opinion, reading is useful.) (!The book is blue.)
Which sentence gives an example? (For example, students can read a short story.) (!I think reading time is useful.) (!Reading is important because it builds vocabulary.) (!So, reading time is a good idea.)
How long should your text be in this course? (About 5 to 7 sentences) (!About 25 sentences) (!Only one word) (!About 50 sentences)
What should you do before using German help? (Try in English first) (!Translate every word) (!Stop writing) (!Copy a model text)
What is a good final check? (Check opinion reason example and language) (!Delete every connector) (!Add difficult grammar everywhere) (!Upload the text publicly)
Memory
| Opinion | what you think |
| Reason | why you think it |
| Example | a situation that supports your idea |
| Because | connector for a reason |
| Therefore | connector for a result |
| Checklist | tool for checking your work |
Drag and Drop
| Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu. | Thema |
|---|---|
| Opinion | In my opinion, longer breaks are useful. |
| Reason | Students need time to relax. |
| Example | For example, they can go outside. |
| Connector | because |
| Ending | So, longer breaks are a good idea. |
Kreuzworträtsel
| opinion | What do we call what you think about a topic? |
| reason | What explains why you think something? |
| example | What supports a reason with a case or situation? |
| because | Which connector often starts a reason? |
| connector | What kind of word links ideas in a text? |
| checklist | What can you use to check your writing? |
LearningApps
Lückentext
Offene Aufgaben
Leicht
- One-sentence opinion: Write one clear sentence about school lunch, homework or reading time.
- Add a reason: Add one sentence with because to your opinion.
- Add an example: Add one sentence beginning with For example.
- Mini speaking: Say your opinion, reason and example to a partner in about 20 seconds.
Standard
- Writing frame text: Write a 5–7 sentence opinion text with the full writing frame.
- Partner check: Exchange texts and mark O, R, E and C. Give one helpful suggestion.
- Mediation: Explain a short German classroom task in simple English without translating every word.
- Private audio: If you want, record your opinion text for yourself and listen for clear pauses and understandable words.
Schwer
- New topic: Write a new opinion text without the full writing frame.
- Compare reasons: Write two possible reasons for one opinion and choose the clearer reason.
- Revision: Improve a first draft after feedback and mark three changes you made.
- Media check: Watch one embedded learning video and write three useful ideas in your own words without copying sentences.


Lernkontrolle
- Structure transfer: You get a new school topic. Write 5–7 sentences with opinion, reason and example without the full frame.
- Error analysis: Improve a short text that has a clear opinion but no reason and no example. Explain what you changed.
- Compare texts: Read two short opinion texts and explain which sentence in each text is the opinion, the reason and the example.
- Revision: Use a checklist to improve your own draft. Mark at least three changes and explain why they help.
- Mediation transfer: Read a short German classroom message and explain the important information in simple English for a classmate.
Lernnachweis
For a successful learning record, show that you can:
- write a clear opinion
- give at least one understandable reason
- add a fitting example
- connect ideas with simple words such as because, for example and so
- write about 5–7 connected sentences
- use understandable spelling and punctuation
- check and improve your own work
- explain simple feedback and use it for revision
- keep your text mainly in your own words
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