C2 · Unit 6
Writing an op‑ed
Build an op-ed with a personal opening, verifiable claims and a fair objection.
New words
columnist
opinion column
personal viewpoint
everyday scene
opening paragraph
turn in the argument
verifiable claim
limit of generalisation
reader’s horizon
food for thought
anticipated objection
open ending
bring to the fore
draw a line under
stick to the facts
from detail to thesis
to refine
Two-aspect verb: the same form can describe a process or a completed action.
reinterpret
reinterpret
personal observation
in the author’s words
qualified conclusion
isolated case
Grammar
The scene attracts, the thesis directs, the argument supports. Justify the move from personal experience to generalisation. An open ending leaves a question without erasing your position.
Започни със сцена, която читателят може да си представи.
Start with a scene the reader can picture.
Прецизирам тезата, за да не обещавам повече, отколкото знам.
I am refining the thesis so I do not promise more than I know.
Examples
Личният повод не доказва общото твърдение.
A personal starting point does not prove a general claim.
На какво се опира изводът ти извън собствения ти опит?
What supports your conclusion beyond your own experience?
Не превръщай единичния случай в присъда над цяла група.
Do not turn a single case into a judgement on an entire group.
Признай силното възражение, преди да предложиш решение.
Acknowledge a strong objection before proposing a solution.
Дори да преосмисля позицията си, личният глас ще остане.
Even if I rethink my position, the personal voice will remain.
Краткият финал връща читателя към въпроса от началото.
The brief ending returns the reader to the opening question.
Преосмислям примера, защото той измества фокуса.
I am rethinking the example because it shifts the focus.
Остави повод за размисъл, но не скривай позицията си.
Leave food for thought, but do not hide your position.
Independent practice
Write a 200–350-word op-ed about evening access to the fictional library in this unit. Begin with a concrete scene, state your thesis, support it with the given facts and address one strong objection. End with a specific proposal. Mark any invented detail as hypothetical.
- I distinguished personal experience from facts and supported my thesis.
- I addressed a strong objection fairly and proposed a feasible next step.
Достъпът не се изчерпва с надписа «Вход свободен».
Access amounts to more than a "Free admission" sign.
Следователно предлагаме пробен период, а не безусловно обещание.
We therefore propose a trial period rather than an unconditional promise.