Collect and sort your ideas
Before you speak or write, jot down 3 to 5 ideas on small cards or in a list. Cross out ideas that do not help your point. Then sort them: which comes first, which supports which?
One idea per sentence makes it easy for the listener.
A simple order: O-P-R-E-C
- Opening: say the topic ("I like Sports Day.").
- Point: your main view ("We need more sports time.").
- Reason: why ("Sports keep us fit.").
- Example: a real case ("After games I study better.").
- Closing: repeat the point or ask for action ("So let us play more!").
Link them with signal words: first, also, because, for example, so, in the end.
Facts, opinions and feelings
A fact can be checked ("Sports period is 30 minutes"). An opinion is what you think ("I think 30 minutes is short"). A feeling is how you feel ("I feel happy when we play").
Use facts to be clear, opinions to say your view, and feelings to be honest. Always give a reason with an opinion.
Taking turns: useful replies
- Agree: "I agree. Also, ..." / "That is true."
- Disagree politely: "I see your point, but ..." / "I am not sure, because ..."
- Ask why: "Why do you think so?" / "Can you give an example?"
- Add an idea: "Another point is ..."
- Share a feeling: "I feel ... when ..."
Listen first. Wait until the other person finishes. Keep your voice calm and do not say "You are wrong"; say "I think differently".
Check and improve
After you speak or write, ask: Did I give a reason? Is each sentence about one idea? Did I listen and answer what the other person really said? Short and clear beats long and mixed.
Key formulas and definitions
- O-P-R-E-C = Opening, Point, Reason, Example, Closing
- One idea = one sentence
- Opinion + because + reason
- Reply types: agree, disagree politely, ask why, add an idea, share a feeling
- Signal words: first, also, because, for example, so
Worked examples
1. Put these in order for a talk: "So let us read more." / "Books teach us new words." / "I like reading." / "My brother learned 20 words from one book." / "We should read daily."
Opening: I like reading. Point: We should read daily. Reason: Books teach us new words. Example: My brother learned 20 words from one book. Closing: So let us read more.
2. A friend says "I think homework should be less." Give a polite disagreement with a reason.
"I see your point, but I think some homework helps us remember what we learned." It begins politely, then gives a reason.
3. Turn this into a fact and a feeling: "The match was very long."
Fact: "The match lasted two hours." Feeling: "I felt tired by the end, but I was happy."
4. You disagree. Which is better: "You are wrong." or "I think differently, because ..."?
The second. It is polite, shows it is your view, and gives a reason, so the talk stays friendly.
5. Your partner said "We should plant trees." Write one question to understand more.
"Why do you think trees are the best idea?" or "Where could we plant them?" A question shows you listened.
Common mistakes
- Starting to talk before sorting your ideas.
- Giving an opinion without any reason.
- Putting two or three ideas in one long sentence.
- Interrupting, or saying "You are wrong" instead of "I think differently".