Its time for the six oclock news.

I plop down on may comfortable couch and grab the handy remote
control. On the news, I hear yet another sad story of racial violence. The truth is that America is a place
where many cultures and races co-exist, which implies many different opinions and beliefs. So what is the
solution? Should We recognize our individual cultures and consider ourselves multicultural? Thomas Bray, an
editor for the Detroit News, emphasizes the need for assimilation a tested method of achieving E Pluribus
Unum but I believe that there are too many different people in the country to think that everyone is the
same.
It seems to me I have always considered myself all Americans. I shop, I eat fast food, I drive my own
car, and watch too much television. But when I actually had to think about my cultural background, I knew
that I had roots in Western Europe, specifically France and Germany. My moms side of the family is originally
from France and my fathers side is a mix of German and Italian roots. My grandmother is from Germany and
my grandfather is from Italy. After they married, they moved from Germany to the US in search of a better
life, just after World War II. They settled in a polish neighbourhood near Detroit and over the years raised
their children in the typical American way. Although I have never considered my family anything other than
American, there are marks of my families ethnicity, such as my grandmothers slight accent, and her famous
Italian cooking.
Also, when I look around at my classmates, I could not guess most of their ethnicities. I wouldnt
consider them anything other than American, but when we discuss the topic I can see that many of them
have very diverse and different roots around the world. Thats why I defend assimilation does play a major
part in American culture.
However, there is another side to America, the multicultural side. America is also made of many people
who bring with them their native customs and beliefs. Some people choose to remember their cultural
heritage and celebrate it. These multiculturalists see America as a place where people bring their own
culture, and combined with other cultures, that is what makes up American culture, a sort of blending of
many different cultures. Unfortunately, people dont always get along, so this becomes the more difficult
side of American culture. Some authors like Randall Bass suggest that our cultural attitudes have been so
engrained in our lives that they shape our behaviours even if we dont realize it.
All things considered, I would say we have come way too far to still believe that one right culture exists.
Perhaps all these cultures see America in a different way, and that is why American identity is so hard to
define. I think if everyone took five minutes to realize that we all have the same rights, we could get along.
No matter how you see it, or what view you hold, multiculturalism or assimilation, the fact remains that we
are all Americans and we all live in America, no matter where we came from.

Writing an Opinion Essay

In: Successful Writing Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing

Reading + Writing Targets, Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing

Introduction:
Opinion Essays are discursive essays in which you present your
personal opinion on a particular topic.
Your opinion must be stated clearly and supported by justifications.
You should also present the opposing viewpoint(s) in a separate
paragraph.

In: Successful Writing Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing

Reading + Writing Targets, Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing

Writing Tip:
When we write an article giving our opinion on a subject, we can
divide it into five* paragraphs:

In the introduction we introduce the subject, make general

remarks about it and state our opinion clearly.
We use: In my opinion, I believe, I think, As I see it, etc.

In the second and third* paragraphs we present our viewpoints

and justify them with reasons / examples. Each viewpoint is
presented in a separate paragraph.
We list points : firstly, furthermore, moreover, also, etc.

In: Successful Writing Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing

Reading + Writing Targets, Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing

In the fourth paragraph we present the opposing point of view,

with reasons / examples.
We can start with: On the other hand, However, etc.

In the conclusion we state our opinion again briefly in different

words.
*Note: The number of paragraphs in the main body depends on the
number of viewpoints we include.

We normally use present tenses in this type of writing.

Opinion Essays are normally written in formal style, therefore you
should avoid using colloquial expressions or short forms.
We can find this type of writing in the form of an article in
newspapers, magazines, etc.
In: Successful Writing Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing
Reading + Writing Targets, Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing

Introduction
Main Body
Conclusion

Its time for the six oclock news. I plop down on may comfortable couch and grab the handy remote
control. On the news, I hear yet another sad story of racial violence. The truth is that America isintroduction
a place
where many cultures and races co-exist, which implies many different opinions and beliefs. So what is the
& statement
solution? Should We recognize our individual cultures and consider ourselves multicultural? Thomas Bray, an
of opinion
editor for the Detroit News, emphasizes the need for assimilation a tested method of achieving E Pluribus
Unum but I believe that there are too many different people in the country to think that everyone is the
same.
It seems to me I have always considered myself all Americans. I shop, I eat fast food, I drive my own
car, and watch too much television. But when I actually had to think about my cultural background, I knew
that I had roots in Western Europe, specifically France and Germany. My moms side of the family is originally
from France and my fathers side is a mix of German and Italian roots. My grandmother is from Germany and
my grandfather is from Italy. After they married, they moved from Germany to the US in search of a better
life, just after World War II. They settled in a polish neighbourhood near Detroit and over the years
raised
viewpoints
their children in the typical American way. Although I have never considered my family anything other than
examples
American, there are marks of my families ethnicity, such as my grandmothers slight accent, and her&famous
Italian cooking.
Also, when I look around at my classmates, I could not guess most of their ethnicities. I wouldnt
consider them anything other than American, but when we discuss the topic I can see that many of them
have very diverse and different roots around the world. Thats why I defend assimilation does play a major
part in American culture.
However, there is another side to America, the multicultural side. America is also made of many people
who bring with them their native customs and beliefs. Some people choose to remember their cultural
heritage and celebrate it. These multiculturalists see America as a place where people bring their own
opposing
culture, and combined with other cultures, that is what makes up American culture, a sort of blending
of
many different cultures. Unfortunately, people dont always get along, so this becomes the more viewpoint
difficult
side of American culture. Some authors like Randall Bass suggest that our cultural attitudes have been so
engrained in our lives that they shape our behaviours even if we dont realize it.
All things considered, I would say we have come way too far to still believe that one right culture exists.
restate
Perhaps all these cultures see America in a different way, and that is why American identity is so hard
to
define. I think if everyone took five minutes to realize that we all have the same rights, we could get opinion
along.
No matter how you see it, or what view you hold, multiculturalism or assimilation, the fact remains that we
are all Americans and we all live in America, no matter where we came from.

Use the linking words/phrases from the list below to fill in the table that follows, as
in the example:
in the first place, also, for example, to sum up, moreover, firstly, although, to
begin with, all things considered, such as, therefore, on the other hand,
however, apart from this, in other words, in particular, for instance, in
addition, because, taking everything into account, furthermore, for one thing,
since, lastly, secondly, nonetheless, while
1 To list points:

in the first place, firstly, to begin with, for

one thing, lastly, secondly

2 To add more points:

also, moreover, apart from this, in

addition, furthermore

3 To introduce opposing
viewpoints:

although, on the other hand, however,

nonetheless, while

4 To introduce
examples/reasons:

for example, such as, therefore, in other

words, in particular, for instance,
because, since

5 To conclude:

to sum up, all things considered, taking

everything into account

In: Successful Writing Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing

Reading + Writing Targets, Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing

Remember:
Can Portugal be considered
a multicultural country?

Introduction
Paragraph 1
Introduce the subject and state your opinion
clearly

Main Body
Paragraph 2
first viewpoint and reasons/examples

Paragraph 3*

TIP

second viewpoint and reasons/examples

Paragraph 4*
opposing viewpoint and reasons/examples

Conclusion
Final Paragraph
Restate your opinion, using different words
* The number of paragraphs in the main body
depends on the number of viewpoints included.
In: Successful Writing Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing
Reading + Writing Targets, Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing