Giving an opinion, structuring an argument Useful language: Giving opinions I definitely think that.... I'm sure that.... I'm convinced that.... I really do think that.... I'm of the opinion that ... As I see it, .... I think .... I consider .... I feel .... Personally, I believe ... In my opinion/view, .... It seems to me .... I'm inclined to think that ... I tend to think that .... Agreeing I couldn't agree more. On the whole, I think the speaker's arguments are fair. I (quite) agree. I think you're absolutely right. That's a very good point. You've got a very good point there. I fully support what you say. I totally agree. Exactly! Doubt and reservation Well … maybe … possibly … I'm not so sure about that. You may be right. I don't think I'd say that. Yes, but don't you think …? I can see your point, but … I think that's debatable. Perhaps, but don't you think that … I see what you mean but … I agree to some extent, but ... It seems to me ... I tend to think ... Disagreeing But don't you think that …? I see what you mean, but … But what about …? But surely …? I take your point, but ,… But all the evidence suggests that I'm afraid I can't agree with … on this matter. I wouldn't say that. I don't agree at all. I can't accept that. Asking for opinions What do you think about ...?. What are you views ...? What do you feel about ...? What's your opinion of ...? What are you feelings about ...? Have you got any comments on ...? Could I have your reaction to ...? Do you have any particular views on ...? Don't you agree, ...? I think X knows more about this than I do? I expect X will agree with me when I say .... Structuring an argument: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Introduce the argument to the reader. | | | | e.g. why it is a particularly relevant topic nowadays | |or refer directly to some comments that have been voiced on it recently.| |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Arrow | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Give you reasons in favour of the argument | | | | State your point of view, your evidence and your reasons. | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Arrow | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Give your reasons against the argument. | | | | State your point of view, your evidence and your reasons. | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Arrow | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | After summarising the two sides, | | state your own opinion and explain why you think as you do. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ TASK: Students at university need to organise their lives, control their finances, keep records of phone numbers, remember assignment and exam dates etc. Some students use paper diaries and notes for this, but the use of electronic Personal Data Assistants is becoming more popular. The table below compares 19 PDAs. Using the information given in the table, recommend one of the PDAs for general student use. You will need to describe what some of the PDAs, compare and contrast to others look at advantages and disadvantages, recommend one and defend your opinion against others, give arguments to the others about why your choice is the best. +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | PDA |Price |Operating System |Memory| Size |Weight| Power | Screen | | | | | | | | | Size | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Casio Cassiopeia|-L-499|Microsoft Pocket | 32MB |131 x 84| 250g | Rechargeable |240 x 320| |E-125 | | PC | | x 20mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Casio Cassiopeia|-L-399|Microsoft Pocket | 16MB |128 x 82| 218g | Rechargeable |240 x 320| |EM-500 | | PC | | x 19mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Compaq iPaq |-L-449|Microsoft Pocket | 32MB |130 x 83| 179g | Rechargeable |240 x 320| |H3630 | | PC | | x 16mm | | Lith-Polymer | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Compaq iPaq |-L-338|Microsoft Pocket | 16MB |130 x 83| 163g | Rechargeable |240 x 320| |H3130 | | PC | | x 16mm | | Lith-Polymer | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |HandEra 330 |-L-335| Palm OS | 8MB |81 x 121| 167g |4 x AA batteries |240 x 320| | | | | | x 17mm | | | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Handspring Visor|-L-144| Palm OS | 8MB |130 x 83| 163g |2 x AAA batteries|240 x 320| |Deluxe | | | | x 16mm | | | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Hanspring Visor |-L-269| Palm OS | 8MB |119 x 79| 136g | Rechargeable |160 x 160| |Edge | | | | x 11mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Handspring Visor|-L-349| Palm OS | 8MB |120 x 75| 194g | Rechargeable |160 x 160| |Prism | | | | x 21mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Handspring Visor|-L-189| Palm OS | 8MB |122 x 76| 153g |2 x AAA batteries|160 x 160| |Platinum | | | | x 18mm | | | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |HP Jornada 548 |-L-389|Microsoft Pocket | 32MB |118 x 79| 260g | Rechargeable |240 x 360| | | | PC | | x 18mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixel | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |HP Jornada 710 |-L-599| Windows for | 32MB |189 x 95| 510g | Rechargeable |640 x 260| | | |Handheld PC 2000 | | x 34mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |HP Jornada 720 |-L-665| Windows for | 32MB |189 x 95| 510g | Rechargeable |640 x 260| | | |Handheld PC 2000 | | x 34mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Palm m05 |-L-169| Palm OS | 8MB |79 x 118| 125g |2 x AAA batteries|160 x 160| | | | | | x 18mm | | | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Palm m500 |-L-329| Palm OS | 8MB |114 x 79| 113g | Rechargeable |160 x 160| | | | | | x 10mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Palm m505 |-L-399| Palm OS | 8MB |114 x 79| 139g | Rechargeable |240 x 320| | | | | | x 10mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Psion Revo Plus |-L-300| EPOC 5 | 16MB |79 x 157| 200g |Rechargeable N1MH|480 x 160| | | | | | x 17mm | | | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Psion 5MX |-L-400| EPOC 5 | 16MB |90 x 170| 320g |2 x AA batteries |640 x 240| | | | | | x 23mm | | | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Sharp ZQ-770PC |-L-100| Proprietary | 3MB |82 x 160| 220g |2 x AA batteries |239 x 80 | | | | | | x 20mm | | | pixels | |----------------+------+-----------------+------+--------+------+-----------------+---------| |Sony Clié |-L-199|Microsoft Pocket | 8MB |71 x 115| 121g | Rechargeable |160 x 160| |(PEG-S300) | | PC | | x 15mm | | Lithium-Ion | pixels | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+