B1 • Lesson 33 of 75

Justifying Opinions with Examples

Back up your opinions with real-world examples

💭 Opinions & Arguments

📖 Do Prep First →

The Spark: Opinion Without Evidence

Saying an opinion is great, but at B1, you need to prove it. Here's the difference:

❌ Weak Opinion

"I think working from home is better."

No proof. Sounds like you just think it.

✓ Strong Opinion

"I think working from home is better. For example, in my experience..."

Now you've backed it up with evidence!

Today you'll learn: 5 phrases for introducing examples that support your opinion.

Micro-Skill: 5 Example Introduction Phrases

These phrases connect your opinion to real-world evidence:

"For example, in my experience..." Click to expand

STYLE

Personal, relatable

USE WHEN

Drawing from your own life

STRENGTH

Very persuasive (personal credibility)

Examples:

• "Remote work is better. For example, in my experience, I'm much more productive."

• "Learning languages is rewarding. For example, in my experience, it opens doors professionally."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Give an opinion about exercise. Start: "For example, in my experience..."

"To give you a concrete example..." Click to expand

TONE

Structured, formal

USE WHEN

You want to be specific and clear

EFFECT

Shows organized thinking

Examples:

• "Technology changes quickly. To give you a concrete example, smartphones didn't exist 20 years ago."

• "Social media has impacts. To give you a concrete example, it affects teenage mental health."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Make a claim about education. Use this phrase to provide a specific example.

"I've seen this myself when..." Click to expand

TONE

Conversational, authentic

USE WHEN

You've directly witnessed something

POWER

Strong - eyewitness account

Examples:

• "Teamwork matters. I've seen this myself when a project succeeded because everyone collaborated."

• "Persistence pays off. I've seen this myself when my friend finally got the job after trying for months."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

State an opinion about friendship. Use: "I've seen this myself when..."

"Take [specific example] for instance..." Click to expand

FORMALITY

Semi-formal, academic

USE WHEN

Citing a specific case or person

STRUCTURE

Very organized, persuasive

Examples:

• "Climate change is real. Take Australia for instance – the bushfires were devastating."

• "People can overcome adversity. Take Steve Jobs for instance – he was fired from Apple but came back."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Make a claim about a country or person. Use: "Take [name/place] for instance..."

"This reminds me of when..." Click to expand

TONE

Casual, storytelling

USE WHEN

Sharing a personal memory or story

EFFECT

Creates connection with listener

Examples:

• "Travel broadens your perspective. This reminds me of when I went to Japan and everything was different."

• "Failure teaches you lessons. This reminds me of when I started a business that failed."

🎤 NOW YOU TRY

Make a point about learning. Use: "This reminds me of when..."

Guided Practice: Opinion + Example

For each opinion, choose the BEST example phrase and provide a real example:

Scenario 1

Your Opinion: "Remote work is better than office work."

You need to support this with an example from your life or knowledge.

Choose a phrase and explain why you think this.

Say: "I think... [opinion]. For example, in my experience..." or "I've seen this myself when..."

💡 Best: Use personal experience if you have it ("For example, in my experience...") or observation ("I've seen this myself...")

Scenario 2

Your Opinion: "Learning languages helps you understand other cultures."

You need to provide a concrete or personal example.

Choose a phrase and explain.

Say: "I believe... [opinion]. To give you a concrete example..." or "This reminds me of when..."

💡 Best: Could use "To give you a concrete example" (factual) or "This reminds me of when" (personal story)

Scenario 3

Your Opinion: "Teamwork is essential for success."

You need a compelling example that proves your point.

Choose a phrase and provide evidence.

Say: "I'm convinced that... [opinion]. Take [company/project] for instance..."

💡 Best: Use "Take [example] for instance" to cite a well-known case that proves your point

Free Production: Opinion + Justification Speeches

For each topic, state an opinion, then justify it with examples. Speak out loud!

Speaking Timer

5:00

Your Topics:

Topic 1: Work-Life Balance

State your opinion: "I think work-life balance is essential..."

Introduce an example: "For example, in my experience..." or "I've seen this myself when..."

Explain the example: Give details about how this supports your opinion

Topic 2: The Impact of Social Media

State your opinion: "I believe social media has both positive and negative effects..."

Introduce an example: "To give you a concrete example..." or "This reminds me of when..."

Explain the example: Show how it proves your point

Topic 3: Education Quality

State your opinion: "I think practical skills are as important as theoretical knowledge..."

Introduce an example: "Take [country/university] for instance..." or "I've seen this myself when..."

Explain the example: Connect it directly to your opinion

Goal: Use DIFFERENT phrases for each topic. Connect opinion to evidence naturally!

Recall Zone

B1 Lessons 8 & 26 Review

Build on previous opinion and abstract concept skills!

From Lesson 8 (A2): Name 3 ways to give reasons for your opinion.

"Because..." - Simple reason

"That's why..." - Result of a reason

"For this reason..." - More formal reason

From Lesson 26: How do you explain abstract concepts like "success"?

Define it: "Success means..." / "By freedom, I mean..."

Give examples: "For instance..." / "In my experience..."

Show contrast: "It's not about... but rather..."

From Lesson 23: What's the three-part structure for opinions?

1. Opening: State your opinion ("I think..." / "I believe...")

2. Development: Add reasons and examples

3. Closing: Summarize your view ("So in conclusion..." / "All things considered...")

🎤 Combined Challenge

Give an opinion about something in your life, then justify it with TWO examples using different phrases:

First example: Use "For example, in my experience..." Second example: Use "I've seen this myself when..." or "This reminds me of when..."

Goal: Opinion + structured support with multiple examples = very persuasive!

Self-Check

📋 Today's "I Can" Statement

I can justify my opinions with relevant real-world examples

How confident do you feel?

1 = Need more practice | 5 = I've got this!

Quick Review: 5 Example Introduction Phrases

✓ "For example, in my experience..." - Personal credibility

✓ "To give you a concrete example..." - Specific and structured

✓ "I've seen this myself when..." - Eyewitness account

✓ "Take [X] for instance..." - Well-known case or example

✓ "This reminds me of when..." - Personal story/connection

The Formula for Strong Arguments

Opinion: "I think that..."

+ Reason: "Because..." / "That's why..."

+ Example: "For example, in my experience..." / "I've seen this myself when..."

= Persuasive, credible argument

Key Principles for Examples

Use personal experience when you have it: "In my experience" is very convincing
Be specific: "Take Japan for instance" is better than "most countries"
Connect the example to your opinion: Don't just tell a story – explain WHY it supports your point
Vary your phrases: Using different phrases keeps your speaking interesting
Use relevant examples: The example should directly support your claim

Your Mission Before Lesson 34:

Next time someone asks for your opinion, don't just state it. Back it up with an example using one of these phrases. Notice how much more convincing you sound!

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