How to Use the PREP Method to Give Clear Opinions
PREP helps you give a clear opinion in one minute: say your view, give one reason, add an example, then finish strongly.
- Giving your opinion
- "Do you agree?" questions
- Speaking exam answers
What is PREP?
Someone asks you, "What do you think?" and your mind goes blank. Or you start talking and never find the end. Many of my students know exactly what they think. The problem is not their English. The problem is that they have no plan for the answer, so the words come out in the wrong order.
PREP is a simple plan for opinions. It has four parts: Point, Reason, Example, Point. First you say what you think. Then you say why. Then you show a real example. Finally, you say your opinion again in new words. That's it. It works in a chat with friends, in a meeting and in a speaking exam.
In this guide, I'll show you how to do each step well. You'll get phrases you can copy, three full example answers and a before and after answer. At the end, there are practice questions. Read one example, then try the same question yourself. Speak out loud, not just in your head.
Why it works
- The listener hears your opinion in the first sentence, so they never feel lost.
- One reason and one example are easy to remember, so you don't freeze in the middle.
- A real example makes your opinion believable and much more interesting to hear.
- The final Point gives you a clear ending, so you don't trail off with "and... yeah".
Where PREP works best
Use it when...
- A friend asks for your view: "Do you think it's better to live in a city or the countryside?"
- Your manager asks in a meeting: "Should we keep working from home two days a week?"
- An IELTS Part 3 question: "Some people say children should learn to cook at school. Do you agree?"
- A job interview question: "Do you think it's better to work alone or in a team?"
- A TOEIC Speaking opinion task: "Is it better to shop online or in a store?"
- A short video where you share a view: "Is social media good for learning English?"
Choose something else when...
- When someone asks "Tell me about a time when...", use STAR, because they want a full story with a result.
- When you need to compare two sides fairly, for example "What are the advantages and disadvantages?", use a pros and cons framework instead.
- When you are describing a problem and how to fix it, for example in a work update, use Problem, Solution, Benefit.
How to do each step
Follow the steps in this order. The times are a guide, not a rule. They show you roughly how much to say in each part.
Point
Say your opinion clearly in the first sentence.
Start with your answer. Don't warm up with "Well, it depends, there are many things...". Pick a side straight away, even if you only feel 60% sure. The listener wants to know where you stand. Keep it to one or two short sentences. If the question is "Do you agree?", begin with yes or no. You can add a small softener, like "mostly", but the side must be clear.
- Answer the question in your very first sentence.
- Use "yes" or "no" for "Do you agree?" questions.
- Keep it short, one or two sentences.
- Don't start with "It depends" and stay in the middle.
- Don't give your reason here yet.
Reason
Give one strong reason for your opinion.
Now tell the listener why you think this. Choose one reason only. Many learners try to give three reasons and get lost after the first one. One clear reason, explained in two or three sentences, is much stronger. Choose the reason you can explain most easily, not the one that sounds the most clever. Say the reason, then add one sentence that explains it a little more.
- Pick the reason that's easiest for you to explain.
- Add one sentence to make the reason clearer.
- Don't list three or four reasons.
- Don't jump to your example yet.
Example
Show your reason with one real, specific example.
This is the longest part, and the most interesting one. Give a specific example that shows your reason is true. It can be something from your life, your job, your country or someone you know. Use small details, like a time, a place or a number. Details make it real. Tell it in simple past tense if it's a story. Keep it to one example, not a list.
- Use a real example from your life, work or country.
- Add one or two small details, like a time or place.
- Make sure the example matches your reason.
- Don't give a general example like "many people do this".
- Don't start a second example.
Point
Finish by saying your opinion again, in new words.
End where you started, but don't copy your first sentence. Say the same opinion with different words. This shows good vocabulary and gives the listener a clean ending. You can also add a tiny link to your reason. Then stop. Don't add a new idea or a new reason here. A short, confident last sentence sounds much better than a long one.
- Repeat your opinion with new words.
- Use a clear signal like "So" or "That's why".
- Don't copy your first sentence word for word.
- Don't add a new reason at the end.
Three example answers
Read each answer out loud. Notice how every part has one clear job, and how short the sentences are. The colours match the steps above.
“Do you think it's better to live in a city or in the countryside?”
Honestly, I think living in a city is better, at least for people my age. The countryside is nice to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
The main reason is opportunity. In a city, you've got more jobs, more classes and more chances to meet new people. Your life can grow faster, because so much is close to you.
For example, when I moved to the city for work, everything changed for me. I could join an evening English class right after my job. It was just ten minutes from my office. Back in my home town, the nearest class was an hour away by bus. I'd never have gone. In the city, I went twice a week, and I made good friends there too.
So yes, for me, city life is the better choice. The countryside is peaceful, but the city helps you move forward.
“Should we keep working from home two days a week?”
I think we should definitely keep the two work-from-home days. I'd really like us not to change that.
My main reason is focus. At home, there are fewer interruptions, so people can finish deep work, like reports or planning, much faster than in the office.
For example, last month I had to prepare the quarterly sales report. In the office, I kept getting pulled into quick chats and calls. After two days, I'd only done about half of it. Then I worked on it at home on Thursday, and I finished the rest in one morning. I think a lot of the team have the same experience with their big tasks.
So my view is simple. Let's keep our home days, because they help us get more done, not less.
“Some people say children should learn to cook at school. Do you agree?”
Yes, I strongly agree. I think cooking should be a normal subject at school, just like maths or science.
The main reason is that cooking is a life skill. Every adult needs to eat, and if you can cook, you can eat healthily and save money at the same time.
For example, in my country, a lot of young people live alone when they start university. Many of them can't cook at all, so they just buy fast food every day. It's expensive, and it isn't healthy. But one of my friends learned to cook at school, and she's completely different. She makes simple meals at home, and she spends much less than the rest of us.
So overall, I'd say schools should teach cooking. It's one of the most useful things children can learn for their future.
Short on time? Use a 20-second version
In a quick chat, you can keep the same structure and say just one sentence for each step.
“Do you like rainy days?”
Actually, yes, I really like rainy days.
They make everything feel calm and slow, so I can relax.
Last Sunday it rained all day, so I stayed home, made coffee and finished a whole book.
So for me, a rainy day is a perfect excuse to rest.
How the framework fixes a messy answer
“Do you agree that people should work only four days a week?”
Um, okay, so, work is, um, a big topic. Some people like working a lot and some people don't, and, um, companies are different too. Maybe it's good for health, and also for family, and, um, the environment, because less driving. But also the boss maybe doesn't like it, and money is a problem, I think. In my company, um, we work five days, sometimes six. So, yeah, it depends. It's difficult to say, and... yeah.
What goes wrong- There is no clear opinion. The listener never learns if the speaker agrees or not.
- There are too many ideas: health, family, the environment, the boss and money.
- Fillers like "um" and "so, yeah" make the speaker sound unsure.
- There is no ending. The answer just stops with "it depends" and "yeah".
Yes, I agree. I think a four-day week would be better for most office workers.
The main reason is rest. When people have three days off, they come back to work with more energy, so they actually do better work.
For example, in my company we sometimes have a long weekend because of a public holiday. I've noticed that on the Tuesday after, everyone is in a good mood. Meetings are shorter and people finish their tasks faster. It feels like a different office. I think a four-day week would give us that feeling every week.
So overall, I'm in favour of it. Working fewer days could make us happier and more productive at the same time.
Five mistakes to avoid
Don't say "it depends" and stop there. Pick one side in your first sentence, even if you only mostly agree.
Choose one reason and explain it well. Two short sentences about one reason are better than a list of four.
"Many people do this" is not an example. Talk about one real person, place or time, and add a small detail.
Say the same opinion with new words at the end. For example, "I think X is better" can become "So for me, X is the smarter choice".
The last Point is for finishing, not for new reasons. Say your opinion again, then stop and smile.
What to do before you start speaking
- Decide your side first, in the first three seconds. Yes or no, A or B. Don't wait to feel 100% sure.
- Choose one reason and one example that go together. Say them to yourself in two or three words, like "focus, sales report".
- Prepare your last line now, so you know how you'll finish. It can be as simple as "So for me, ...".
10 sample questions with answers
Try each question yourself first: take 15 seconds to plan, then speak for one minute. Then open the sample answer and compare. Do not learn the answers by heart. Copy the structure and the phrases, then use your own ideas.
1 Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Coffee, for sure. I drink tea sometimes, but coffee is my favourite drink.
The main reason is energy. I start work early, and I need something strong to wake my brain up. Tea is nice, but it's too gentle for me in the morning.
Take last Monday, for example. I had a meeting at eight, and I didn't have time to make coffee at home. So I had a cup of green tea at the office instead. By nine o'clock, I was yawning in front of my manager. The next day, I bought a big latte on the way, and I felt awake and ready for the whole morning.
So yes, I'm a coffee person. Tea is lovely in the afternoon, but coffee is what gets my day started.
Copy this move: Even a simple question gets a small story with a time, "a meeting at eight", which makes a basic opinion interesting to hear.
2 Is it better to get up early or stay up late?
I'd say getting up early is better. I used to be a night person, but I've changed my mind.
This is mainly because the morning is quiet. Nobody sends me messages at six, so I can do things for myself before work starts.
For instance, last year I started waking up at half past five. At first it was hard, I won't lie. But after two weeks, I had a whole free hour every morning. I used it to go for a run and practise my English with a podcast. Before that, when I stayed up late, I just watched videos on my phone until one in the morning, and I felt tired all day.
That's why I'm an early bird now. The first hour of the day is the most useful hour I have.
Copy this move: The example shows a clear before and after, so the listener can see the reason is true instead of just hearing it.
3 Is it better to travel alone or with friends?
Personally, I prefer travelling with friends. Going alone sounds exciting, but it's not really for me.
The biggest reason for me is sharing the moments. When something funny or beautiful happens, I want someone next to me to enjoy it with.
I saw this when I went to Chiang Mai with two friends in December. On the second night, we got lost looking for a night market. It took us almost an hour to find it. If I'd been alone, I'd have felt stressed. But with my friends, we just laughed the whole way. Now it's our favourite story from the trip, and we still talk about it.
So for me, a trip is much better with good company. The places are nice, but the people make the memories.
Copy this move: The speaker admits the other side in one short phrase, "sounds exciting", but still picks a side clearly in the first sentence.
4 Do you think everyone should learn to drive?
No, I don't think everyone needs to drive. It's useful for some people, but it isn't a must for everyone.
It's important because a lot depends on where you live. In a big city with good trains and buses, a car can be more of a problem than a help.
Take my cousin, for example. She lives in the centre of Bangkok, and she's never had a driving licence. She takes the Skytrain to work every day, and it's only twenty minutes. Her colleague drives the same route, and he often sits in traffic for over an hour. He also pays for parking every month. My cousin saves that money and spends it on travelling.
So in the end, I'd say driving is a choice, not a rule. If your city has good transport, you can live very well without a car.
Copy this move: Comparing two real people on the same route, "twenty minutes" against "over an hour", makes the reason easy to believe.
5 Should people check their work emails at the weekend?
Not at all, in my view. The weekend should be time off, and I mean properly off.
What I mean is, our brains need a real break. If you keep reading emails, you never fully switch off, and you start Monday already tired.
For example, at my last job, I used to check my inbox every Saturday morning. Just five minutes, I told myself. But one email could make me worry for the whole day. Then my team leader made a new rule. No emails from Friday evening until nine on Monday, unless it's an emergency. After a month, I noticed I was sleeping better, and I had more ideas in our Monday meetings.
So for me, the answer is clear. Keep your inbox closed at the weekend, and you'll do better work during the week.
Copy this move: The final Point links back to work results, so the opinion sounds sensible to a manager, not lazy.
6 Do you agree that students should wear school uniforms?
Yes, I agree, mostly. I think school uniforms are a good idea, especially for younger students.
The main reason is that uniforms make everyone equal. When students wear the same clothes, nobody can tell who's rich and who isn't, so there's less pressure.
My younger sister is a good example. She studied abroad for one year at a school with no uniform. She told me it was really stressful. Every morning, she spent half an hour choosing an outfit. Some girls in her class laughed at students with cheap shoes. When she came home and wore a uniform again, she said she felt much more relaxed.
That's why I believe uniforms help. They take away one big worry, so students can focus on learning.
Copy this move: "Yes, I agree, mostly" shows you can add a small softener and still answer the exam question with a clear yes.
7 Is it better to rent a home or to buy one?
For me, it's definitely better to rent, at least for now. Buying is a big step, and I'm not ready for it.
The main reason is freedom. When you rent, you can move easily if your job changes or you want to live in a new area.
A good example is what happened to me two years ago. I got a new job on the other side of the city. Because I was renting, I just gave my landlord one month's notice and found a flat near my new office. My friend had bought a condo the year before, and she changed jobs at the same time. She couldn't sell it quickly, so now she travels nearly two hours a day.
So overall, I'd say renting is the smarter choice when your life is still changing. You can always buy later.
Copy this move: Adding "at least for now" to the first Point keeps the opinion honest and makes the ending, "You can always buy later", feel natural.
8 Some people say social media does more harm than good. Do you agree?
Honestly, I disagree. I think social media does more good than harm, as long as people use it in the right way.
The biggest reason for me is learning. Social media gives anyone free access to teachers, experts and ideas from all over the world.
For instance, I improved my English mostly through short videos. Three years ago, I couldn't hold a simple conversation. Then I started following a few English teachers online. Every day, I watched one video on the bus and repeated the phrases quietly. After about a year, I took my TOEIC Speaking test and got a much higher score than before. And I didn't pay for a single class.
So no, I don't see it as harmful overall. If you choose what you watch, it's one of the best free tools we have.
Copy this move: For a hard "Do you agree?" question, the speaker says "I disagree" in the first two words, then uses a personal result to defend it.
9 Should governments make public transport free for everyone?
I really think they should. Free public transport would cost a lot, but I believe it's worth it.
This is mainly because it would get cars off the road. If buses and trains cost nothing, many drivers would leave their cars at home, so the traffic and the air would both get better.
I saw this when I visited my aunt's town last summer. They started free buses in the town centre about two years ago. My aunt used to drive to the market every weekend, and she always complained about parking. Now she takes the bus, and so do most of her neighbours. The main street used to be full of cars. When I was there, it was quiet, and you could actually walk and breathe.
So overall, I'm in favour of it. It's expensive, but cleaner, calmer towns are worth paying for.
Copy this move: The speaker mentions the cost early, "it would cost a lot", so the final Point can answer it without adding a new idea.
10 Should companies let employees choose their own working hours?
Yes, I strongly believe companies should let people choose their hours, as long as the work gets done.
The main reason is that people work best at different times. Some of us are sharp at seven in the morning, and some only really wake up after lunch.
Take my current team, for example. Last year, our manager tried flexible hours for three months. Everyone just needed to be online from eleven to three for meetings. One colleague started at six, because she wanted to pick up her kids after school. I started at ten and worked later, because that's when I focus best. At the end of the trial, we'd finished two projects early, and nobody wanted the old hours back.
So in the end, I'm sure flexible hours are good for business. People who work at their best time simply do better work.
Copy this move: In an interview, the example ends with a clear business result, "two projects early", which shows the interviewer you think about results.
Practise with a timer and new questions
The practice tool gives you a random question, 15 seconds to think and a one-minute timer that lights up each step.
Good to know
What if I don't have an opinion?
Just choose one. In a speaking exam, the examiner checks your English, not your real beliefs. Pick the side that's easier to explain with an example.
Can I give two reasons instead of one?
You can, but I don't recommend it, especially at B1-B2. One reason with a good example sounds clearer and more confident. If you have extra time, add more detail to your example instead.
Is it okay to use an example that isn't from my own life?
Yes. You can talk about a friend, your country, your company or something you read. Just make it specific, with a small detail like a time or place.
How long should a PREP answer be?
For most questions, about one minute is perfect. For quick replies in conversation, you can do the whole thing in 20 to 30 seconds, with one sentence for each step.
More speaking guides
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