Expressing Opinions & Structuring an Argument

You’ll be able to

State opinions with 〜と思います and report speech with 〜と言いました
Use sequencing and contrast connectors to organize an argument
Build a short persuasive paragraph on a global issue

Stating an opinion with と思う

To give an opinion, put a plain-form clause + と思います (to omoimasu, “I think that …”): 環境問題は大切だと思います (Kankyō mondai wa taisetsu da to omoimasu, “I think environmental issues are important”). The quotative particle と brackets the thought, and the clause before it stays plain form even when the sentence is polite (大切だ, not 大切です, before と). The same と reports speech: 母は行くと言いました (Haha wa iku to iimashita, “My mother said she would go”).

Connectors that organize

Written argument leans on sentence-initial connectors. Sequence: まず (mazu, “first”), 次に (tsugi ni, “next”), 最後に (saigo ni, “finally”). Addition: そして (soshite, “and then”), また (mata, “also”). Contrast: しかし (shikashi, “however”), でも (demo, “but,” more casual). Cause/result: だから (dakara, “therefore”), その結果 (sono kekka, “as a result”). Conclusion: つまり (tsumari, “in other words”), 〜べきだ (beki da, “should”). Opening a sentence with the right connector makes the logical flow of your essay visible to the reader.

Shaping a persuasive paragraph

A strong argument paragraph often runs: state your position (〜と思います), give reasons (〜から／ので from the last lesson), add supporting points with sequencing words, acknowledge a counterpoint with しかし, and close with a recommendation (〜べきだ or 〜なければならない). For example, on plastic waste: まず、プラスチックごみは海を汚します。しかし、リサイクルは簡単ではありません。だから、私たちは使う量を減らすべきだと思います (Mazu, … Shikashi, … Dakara, watashitachi wa tsukau ryō o herasu beki da to omoimasu). Visible structure earns organization points.

Worked example

Turn this idea into a polished opinion sentence: “I think that we should reduce plastic (because it pollutes the sea).” Use と思います, a reason, and a recommendation form.

1.State the recommendation with 〜べきだ (should): プラスチックを減らすべきだ (purasuchikku o herasu beki da, “should reduce plastic”).
2.Wrap it as an opinion with plain form + と思います: …減らすべきだと思います.
3.Add the reason clause first using から: 海を汚すから (umi o yogosu kara, “because it pollutes the sea”).
4.Combine reason + recommendation + opinion frame into one sentence.

Answer: プラスチックは海を汚すから、減らすべきだと思います。(Purasuchikku wa umi o yogosu kara, herasu beki da to omoimasu.) “Because plastic pollutes the sea, I think we should reduce it.” から gives the reason, 〜べきだ states the recommendation, and と思います (with the clause kept in plain form before と) frames it as an opinion.

Checkpoint

Which form of the clause is correct directly before と思います in “I think it is important”?

Watch out

Keep the clause before と in plain form, even in a polite sentence. Say 行くと思います (iku to omoimasu), not 行きますと思います. Only the final verb 思います carries the politeness; the quoted thought stays plain.

Checkpoint

You want to introduce a contrasting point in an essay: “…pollutes the sea. However, recycling is not easy.” Which connector best opens the second sentence?

On the exam

On the presentational writing task, open paragraphs with clear connectors (まず／しかし／だから) and close with an explicit opinion using 〜と思います or 〜べきだと思います. Graders reward a visible position plus organized support far more than isolated advanced vocabulary.

Answer the 2 checkpoints as you read.