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9.3 Organizing Your Writing
Learning objectives.
- Understand how and why organizational techniques help writers and readers stay focused.
- Assess how and when to use chronological order to organize an essay.
- Recognize how and when to use order of importance to organize an essay.
- Determine how and when to use spatial order to organize an essay.
The method of organization you choose for your essay is just as important as its content. Without a clear organizational pattern, your reader could become confused and lose interest. The way you structure your essay helps your readers draw connections between the body and the thesis, and the structure also keeps you focused as you plan and write the essay. Choosing your organizational pattern before you outline ensures that each body paragraph works to support and develop your thesis.
This section covers three ways to organize body paragraphs:
- Chronological order
- Order of importance
- Spatial order
When you begin to draft your essay, your ideas may seem to flow from your mind in a seemingly random manner. Your readers, who bring to the table different backgrounds, viewpoints, and ideas, need you to clearly organize these ideas in order to help process and accept them.
A solid organizational pattern gives your ideas a path that you can follow as you develop your draft. Knowing how you will organize your paragraphs allows you to better express and analyze your thoughts. Planning the structure of your essay before you choose supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and targeted research.
Chronological Order
In Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , you learned that chronological arrangement has the following purposes:
- To explain the history of an event or a topic
- To tell a story or relate an experience
- To explain how to do or to make something
- To explain the steps in a process
Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing , which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. This method requires you to use words such as first , second , then , after that , later , and finally . These transition words guide you and your reader through the paper as you expand your thesis.
For example, if you are writing an essay about the history of the airline industry, you would begin with its conception and detail the essential timeline events up until present day. You would follow the chain of events using words such as first , then , next , and so on.
Writing at Work
At some point in your career you may have to file a complaint with your human resources department. Using chronological order is a useful tool in describing the events that led up to your filing the grievance. You would logically lay out the events in the order that they occurred using the key transition words. The more logical your complaint, the more likely you will be well received and helped.
Choose an accomplishment you have achieved in your life. The important moment could be in sports, schooling, or extracurricular activities. On your own sheet of paper, list the steps you took to reach your goal. Try to be as specific as possible with the steps you took. Pay attention to using transition words to focus your writing.
Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:
- Writing essays containing heavy research
- Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
- Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books
When using chronological order, your introduction should indicate the information you will cover and in what order, and the introduction should also establish the relevance of the information. Your body paragraphs should then provide clear divisions or steps in chronology. You can divide your paragraphs by time (such as decades, wars, or other historical events) or by the same structure of the work you are examining (such as a line-by-line explication of a poem).
On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that describes a process you are familiar with and can do well. Assume that your reader is unfamiliar with the procedure. Remember to use the chronological key words, such as first , second , then , and finally .
Order of Importance
Recall from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that order of importance is best used for the following purposes:
- Persuading and convincing
- Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
- Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution
Most essays move from the least to the most important point, and the paragraphs are arranged in an effort to build the essay’s strength. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to begin with your most important supporting point, such as in an essay that contains a thesis that is highly debatable. When writing a persuasive essay, it is best to begin with the most important point because it immediately captivates your readers and compels them to continue reading.
For example, if you were supporting your thesis that homework is detrimental to the education of high school students, you would want to present your most convincing argument first, and then move on to the less important points for your case.
Some key transitional words you should use with this method of organization are most importantly , almost as importantly , just as importantly , and finally .
During your career, you may be required to work on a team that devises a strategy for a specific goal of your company, such as increasing profits. When planning your strategy you should organize your steps in order of importance. This demonstrates the ability to prioritize and plan. Using the order of importance technique also shows that you can create a resolution with logical steps for accomplishing a common goal.
On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.
Spatial Order
As stated in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , spatial order is best used for the following purposes:
- Helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
- Evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound)
- Writing a descriptive essay
Spatial order means that you explain or describe objects as they are arranged around you in your space, for example in a bedroom. As the writer, you create a picture for your reader, and their perspective is the viewpoint from which you describe what is around you.
The view must move in an orderly, logical progression, giving the reader clear directional signals to follow from place to place. The key to using this method is to choose a specific starting point and then guide the reader to follow your eye as it moves in an orderly trajectory from your starting point.
Pay attention to the following student’s description of her bedroom and how she guides the reader through the viewing process, foot by foot.
Attached to my bedroom wall is a small wooden rack dangling with red and turquoise necklaces that shimmer as you enter. Just to the right of the rack is my window, framed by billowy white curtains. The peace of such an image is a stark contrast to my desk, which sits to the right of the window, layered in textbooks, crumpled papers, coffee cups, and an overflowing ashtray. Turning my head to the right, I see a set of two bare windows that frame the trees outside the glass like a 3D painting. Below the windows is an oak chest from which blankets and scarves are protruding. Against the wall opposite the billowy curtains is an antique dresser, on top of which sits a jewelry box and a few picture frames. A tall mirror attached to the dresser takes up most of the wall, which is the color of lavender.
The paragraph incorporates two objectives you have learned in this chapter: using an implied topic sentence and applying spatial order. Often in a descriptive essay, the two work together.
The following are possible transition words to include when using spatial order:
- Just to the left or just to the right
- On the left or on the right
- Across from
- A little further down
- To the south, to the east, and so on
- A few yards away
- Turning left or turning right
On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph using spatial order that describes your commute to work, school, or another location you visit often.
Collaboration
Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.
Key Takeaways
- The way you organize your body paragraphs ensures you and your readers stay focused on and draw connections to, your thesis statement.
- A strong organizational pattern allows you to articulate, analyze, and clarify your thoughts.
- Planning the organizational structure for your essay before you begin to search for supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and directed research.
- Chronological order is most commonly used in expository writing. It is useful for explaining the history of your subject, for telling a story, or for explaining a process.
- Order of importance is most appropriate in a persuasion paper as well as for essays in which you rank things, people, or events by their significance.
- Spatial order describes things as they are arranged in space and is best for helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it; it creates a dominant impression.
Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
Ultimate Guide to Writing an Opinion Essay
An opinion essay is often given to students at all levels of schooling. In this type of essay, the writer has to say what they think about a certain topic or issue and back up their point with evidence and examples. Students should learn how to write opinion essays because they teach them how to think critically and how to explain and defend a point of view. Opinion essays are an important part of academic writing, but they are also a great way to learn persuasive communication skills that you can use in your personal and professional life. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to write an opinion essay. It will also give you 50 examples and ideas to help you get started. We will talk about the basic structure of an opinion essay and how to make a strong argument and back it up with facts and examples.
This guide will give you the tools you need to learn how to write a good opinion essay, whether you are a student looking to improve your academic writing or a professional looking to improve your persuasive communication skills .
What You'll Learn
Understanding Opinion Essays
Opinion essays are a type of academic writing in which the writer has to say what they think about a certain topic or issue. In an opinion essay, the writer should back up their point of view with evidence and examples and try to get the reader to agree with them. The point of opinion essays is to teach students how to think critically and talk in a way that makes others want to agree with them. If students want to do well in school, on the job, and in their personal lives, they need to have these skills. Opinion essays are different from descriptive or narrative essays because the writer has to take a clear stance on a certain topic and back up their claim with evidence and examples. It’s also important to have a clear thesis statement that explains the writer’s point of view.
Elements of an Opinion Essay
An opinion essay typically includes the following elements:
1. Introduction paragraph : The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on the topic. It should also include a clear thesis statement that outlines the writer’s position.
2. Body paragraphs: The body of the essay should provide supporting evidence and examples to support the writer’s argument. Each paragraph should focus on a single point and should begin with a topic sentence that relates back to the thesis statement .
3. Supporting evidence and examples: It is important to use evidence and examples to support the writer’s argument. This can include statistics, facts, quotes, and personal experiences.
4. Counter arguments: It’s also important to address counter arguments or opposing viewpoints in an opinion essay. This shows the reader that the writer has considered alternative perspectives and has still arrived at their own position. Addressing counter arguments can also strengthen the writer’s position by showing that they have thought critically about the issue .
5. Conclusion paragraph: The conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay and restate the thesis statement . It should also leave the reader with a final thought or call to action.
Opinion essays are an important genre of academic writing that require critical thinking and persuasive communication skills. To write an effective opinion essay, it is important to have a clear thesis statement , use supporting evidence and examples, address counter arguments, and provide a strong conclusion. By mastering the elements of an opinion essay, students can develop their writing skills and become more effective communicators.
Opinion Essay Structure and Outline
Let’s look at an example of an opinion essay to comprehensively understand the structure of an opinion essay
The Impacts of Globalization on Local Economies
Globalization has become a heated topic of debate, with many differing perspectives on its effects. In this persuasive essay, I will form an opinion and provide a point of view on how globalization impacts local economies. As college students interested in reading different viewpoints, you’ll learn about writing an effective opinion piece.
To begin an opinion essay, the most important thing is to establish a clear thesis stating the main argument or belief. My thesis is: While globalization creates economic opportunities through trade and investment, it also poses challenges for local businesses trying to compete with larger multinational corporations. Both the positive potentials and negative pressures of globalization must be carefully considered.
The body of your opinion essay should logically organize evidence to support your stated perspective. One key benefit of globalization is giving local producers access to international markets, strengthening export revenues. Trade agreements facilitate selling goods and services across borders. Additionally, foreign direct investment from multinational companies can create new jobs and transfer technology/skills.
However, globalization also exposes local businesses to heightened competition which can be challenging for smaller firms. They may struggle to match the economies of scale, resources, and distribution networks of huge conglomerates. Domestic companies must innovate to avoid losing market share. There are also concerns about job losses if companies move production overseas.
While globalization allows corporations to efficiently manage worldwide supply chains and operations, this same flexibility enables circumventing local labor laws and taxes. Developing nations may engage in regulatory undercutting to attract investment, harming worker rights and the environment. Governments must strike a careful balance.
In crafting this opinion essay, I defined key concepts related to globalization’s impacts through examples local and international companies. Drawing on evidence from both sides strengthened my argument that globalization has significant trade-offs for local economies. For writers and students, seeing exactly how an opinion essay is structured with a clear thesis, body paragraphs explaining the perspective, and consideration of counterpoints can serve as a useful exercise.
Ultimately, opinion essays require logically organizing one’s thoughts and reasoning on a particular topic. Drafting an outline first, and then revising and proofreading, will improve the flow and persuasiveness. While all viewpoints are important to acknowledge, a good opinion piece persuades readers toward the author’s stance through a crystal clear thesis and well-supported arguments.
This basic opinion essay provides a simple guide on how to write persuasively about globalization’s effects. By establishing a position, giving evidence pro and con, defining key terms, and directly addressing the prompt of analyzing local economic impacts, the goal is to help the reader understand both sides while making a case for the writer’s perspective. For college students starting to pen opinion pieces, examples like this can strengthen essential academic writing skills.
Writing Process of an Opinion Essay
Writing an opinion essay requires careful planning and organization. Here are the steps to follow when writing an opinion essay:
1. Pre-writing strategies: Before you start writing, it’s important to brainstorm ideas and gather information on your topic . This can include researching your topic , making a list of arguments and counterarguments, and creating a mind map or outline.
2. Outlining an opinion essay : Once you have gathered your ideas, create an outline to organize your thoughts and develop a clear structure for your essay . Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
3. Writing the introduction: The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide some background information on the topic. It should end with a thesis statement that clearly states your position on the issue.
4. Developing body paragraphs: The body of the essay should provide supporting evidence and examples to support your argument. Each paragraph should focus on a single point and should begin with a topic sentence that relates back to the thesis statement.
5. Using evidence and examples to support your argument: Use evidence and examples to support your argument. This can include statistics, facts, quotes, and personal experiences.
6. Addressing counter arguments: It’s important to address counterarguments or opposing viewpoints in an opinion essay. This shows the reader that you have considered alternative perspectives and have still arrived at your own position. Addressing counter arguments can also strengthen your position by showing that you have thought critically about the issue.
7. Writing the conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement . It should also leave the reader with a final thought or call to action.
Tips and Techniques for Writing a Strong Opinion Essay
To write a strong opinion essay, follow these tips and techniques:
1. Writing with clarity and precision: Use clear and concise language to express your ideas. Avoid using too many complex words or phrases that may confuse the reader.
2. Crafting an effective thesis statement: Your thesis statement should be clear and concise, and it should clearly state your position on the issue.
3. Using transitional words and phrases: Use transitional words and phrases to connect your ideas and make your essay flow smoothly. Examples include “however,” “on the other hand,” and “in addition.”
4. Avoiding logical fallacies: Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that can weaken your argument. Examples include ad hominem attacks, straw man arguments, and false causality.
5. Editing and proofreading: After you have written your essay, take the time to edit and proofread it carefully. Look for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure that your ideas are presented clearly and logically.
Writing an opinion essay requires careful planning, organization, and attention to detail. By following the steps outlined above and using the tips and techniques provided, you can craft a strong and persuasive opinion essay that effectively communicates your position on the issue at hand.
10 Opinion Essay Examples
To help you understand what makes a strong opinion essay, here are 10 examples of well-written opinion essays, along with a detailed analysis of what makes each essay effective:
1. “The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet” by Jane Smith
2. The Importance of Early Childhood Education” by John Doe
3. The Negative Effects of Social Media on Teenagers” by Sarah Johnson
4. The Pros and Cons of Online Learning” by Tom Brown
5. “The Need for Stricter Gun Control Laws” by Emily Davis
6. “The Ethics of Animal Testing” by Rachel Lee
7. The Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health” by David Nguyen
8. “The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace” by Maria Hernandez
9. The Harmful Effects of Plastic Pollution on the Environment” by Alex Lee
10. The Need for Universal Healthcare in the United States” by Samantha Jones
Each of these essays effectively communicates the writer’s position on a particular issue and provides strong supporting evidence and examples. By analyzing these essays , you can learn important lessons about how to effectively structure and develop an opinion essay.
50 Opinion Essay Topics That Will Impress Your Professors
To help you choose a topic for your opinion essay, here are 50 unique and engaging opinion essay topics that are relevant and important:
1. The impact of social media on interpersonal communication
2. The benefits and drawbacks of homeschooling
3. The role of technology in modern education
4. The need for stricter penalties for hate crimes
5. The impact of climate change on the global economy
6. The ethics of genetically modified foods
7. The impact of automation on jobs and the workforce
8. The effects of video games on children’s behavior
9. The need for better mental health support in schools
10. The benefits and drawbacks of remote work
11. The impact of social media on mental health
12. The need for stronger anti-bullying policies in schools
13. The effects of the gig economy on workers’ rights
14. The benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence
15. The impact of fast fashion on the environment
16. The ethics of animal agriculture
17. The need for more affordable housing in urban areas
18. The impact of immigration on local communities
19. The effects of screen time on children’s development
20. The need for stronger gun control laws
21. The impact of social media on political discourse
22. The benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy sources
23. The need for stronger anti-discrimination laws
24. The effects of legalization of marijuana on society
25. The impact of automation on the environment
26. The ethics of human cloning
27. The need for more accessible healthcare in rural areas
28. The effects of income inequality on society
29. The benefits and drawbacks of online dating
30. The impact of virtual reality on society
31. The need for stronger data privacy laws
32. The ethics of artificial intelligence in decision-making
33. The effects of social media on democracy
34. The impact of globalization on local economies
35. The benefits and drawbacks of autonomous vehicles
36. The need for stronger measures to combat cyberbullying
37. The effects of air pollution on public health
38. The ethics of euthanasia and assisted suicide
39. The impact of the sharing economy on traditional industries
40. The need for better access to mental health care for veterans
41. The benefits and drawbacks of cryptocurrency
42. The impact of space exploration on society
43. The ethics of gene editing
44. The need for stronger measures to combat human trafficking
45. The effects of social media on body image and self-esteem
46. The impact of automation on the future of work
47. The benefits and drawbacks of a cashless society
48. The need for stronger measures to combat domestic violence
49. The effects of social media on relationships
50. The impact of artificial intelligence on education
Choose a topic for your opinion essay that is important to you and about which you have strong feelings. Use the ideas and tips in this article to come up with a strong argument and back it up with proof and examples . With these tools, you can write a great opinion essay that will impress your professors and get your point across clearly.
1. What is the difference between an opinion essay and a persuasive essay?
An opinion essay and a persuasive essay are similar in that they both require the writer to express their viewpoint on a particular topic or issue. However, a persuasive essay is more focused on convincing the reader to take a particular action or adopt a particular viewpoint, while an opinion essay is more focused on expressing the writer’s personal perspective on the issue.
2. Can I include personal anecdotes in my opinion essay?
Yes, personal anecdotes can be a powerful tool for supporting your argument and making your essay more engaging. However, it’s important to ensure that your anecdotes are relevant to the topic and that they support your overall argument .
3. How do I address counterarguments in my essay?
To address counterarguments in your essay, consider presenting them in a separate paragraph or section of your essay . Then, explain why you disagree with the counterargument and provide evidence and examples to support your position.
4. How do I choose a topic for my opinion essay?
Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you have a strong opinion on. Consider current events , social issues, or topics related to your field of study.
5. What is the recommended length for an opinion essay?
The length of an opinion essay can vary depending on the assignment requirements. However, a typical opinion essay is usually around 500-800 words.
6. What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an opinion essay?
When writing an opinion essay, some common mistakes to avoid are not having a clear thesis statement, using weak or irrelevant evidence to back up your argument, not addressing counterarguments, and not proofreading your essay for mistakes. It’s important to take the time to carefully plan and edit your essay to make sure it clearly shows your point of view and gives strong evidence and examples to back up your argument.
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Opinion Writing: a Guide to Writing a Successful Essay Easily
An opinion essay requires students to write their thoughts regarding a subject matter. Relevant examples and explanations back their point of view. Before starting an opinion paper, it is important to study the definition, topics, requirements, and structure. Referring to examples is also highly useful. Perhaps you need help with our admission essay writing service ? Take a look at this guide from our dissertation writing service to learn how to write an opinion essay like an expert.
What Is an Opinion Essay
A common question among students is: ‘What is an Opinion Essay?' It is an assignment that contains questions that allow students to share their point-of-view on a subject matter. Students should express their thoughts precisely while providing opinions on the issue related to the field within reasonable logic. Some opinion essays type require references to back the writer's claims.
Opinion writing involves using a student's personal point-of-view, which is segregated into a point. It is backed by examples and explanations. The paper addresses the audience directly by stating ‘Dear Readers' or the equivalent. The introduction involves a reference to a speech, book, or play. This is normally followed by a rhetorical question like ‘is the pope Catholic?' or something along those lines.
What Kind of Student Faces an Opinion Essay
Non-native English-speaking students enrolled in the International English Language Testing System by the British Council & Cambridge Assessment English are tasked with learning how to write the opinion essays. This can be high-school or college students. It is designed to enhance the level of English among students. It enables them to express their thoughts and opinions while writing good opinion essay in English.
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What Are the Requirements of an Opinion Essay?
Avoid Going Off-Topic: Always write an opinion essay within relevance to answer the assigned question. This is also known as ‘beating around the bush' and should not be included in any opinion paragraph as it may lower your grade.
Indent the First Paragraph: With most academic papers, opinion writing is not different. Therefore, it contains the rule of indenting the first line of the introduction.
A Well-Thought Thesis: The full thesis statement is a brief description of the opinion essay. It determines the rest of the paper. Include all the information that you wish to include in the body paragraphs
The Use of Formal Languages: Although it is okay to write informally, keep a wide range of professional and formal words. This includes: ‘Furthermore,' ‘As Stated By,' ‘However', & ‘Thus'.
Avoid Internet Slang: In the opinion paper, avoid writing using slang words. Don'tDon't include words like ‘LOL', ‘OMG', ‘LMAO', etc.
The Use of First Person Language (Optional): For the reason of providing personal thought, it is acceptable to write your personal opinion essay in the first person.
Avoid Informal Punctuation: Although the requirements allow custom essay for the first-person language, they do not permit informal punctuation. This includes dashes, exclamation marks, and emojis.
Avoid Including Contradictions: Always make sure all spelling and grammar is correct.
We also recommend reading about types of sentences with examples .
Opinion Essay Topics
Before learning about the structure, choosing from a wide range of opinion essay topics is important. Picking an essay theme is something that can be done very simply. Choosing an excellent opinion essay topic that you are interested in or have a passion for is advisable. Otherwise, you may find the writing process boring. This also ensures that your paper will be both effective and well-written.
- Do sports differ from ordinary board games?
- Is using animals in circus performances immoral?
- Why should we be honest with our peers?
- Should all humans be entitled to a 4-day workweek?
- Should all humans become vegetarians?
- Does a CEO earn too much?
- Should teens be barred from having sleepovers?
- Should everyone vote for their leader?
- The Pros & Cons of Day-Light Saving Hours.
- What are the most energy-efficient and safest cars of X year?
Opinion Essay Structure
When it comes to opinion paragraphs, students may struggle with the opinion essay format. The standard five-paragraph-essay structure usually works well for opinion essays. Figuring out what one is supposed to include in each section may be difficult for beginners. This is why following the opinion essay structure is something all beginners should do, for their own revision before writing the entire essay.
You might also be interested in getting more information about: 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY
Opinion essay introduction
- Address the audience directly, and state the subject matter.
- Reference a speech, poem, book, or play.
- Include the author's name and date of publication in brackets.
- 1 or 2 sentences to make up a short description.
- 1 or 2 summarizing sentences of the entire paper.
- 1 sentence that links to the first body paragraph.
Body Paragraph 1
- Supporting arguments
- Explanation
- A linking sentence to the second body paragraph.
Body Paragraph 2
- Supporting argument
- A linking sentence to the third body paragraph.
Body Paragraph 3
- A linking sentence to the conclusion.
Conclusion paragraph
- Summary of the entire paper
- A conclusive sentence (the bigger picture in conclusion)
If you need some help, leave us a message ' write my essay cheap ' and we'll help.
Opinion Essay Examples
Do you need something for reference? Reading opinion essay examples can expand your knowledge of this style of writing, as you get to see exactly how this form of an essay is written. Take a look at our samples to get an insight into this form of academic writing.
Over the past, American popular culture has been strong in creating racial stereotypes. Images displayed through television, music, and the internet have an impact on how individuals behave and what individuals believe. People find their identities and belief systems from popular culture. Evidently, I believe that American pop culture has created racial stereotypes that predominantly affect other ethnic minorities. Analyzing the history of America reveals that African Americans have always had a problem defining themselves as Americans ever since the era of slavery. AfricanAmericans have always had a hard time being integrated into American culture. The result is that African Americans have been subjected to ridicule and shame. American pop culture has compounded the problem by enhancing the negative stereotypes ofAfrican American. In theatre, film, and music, African Americans have been associated with vices such as murder, theft, and violence.
The family systems theory has a significant revelation on family relations. I firmly agree that to understand a particular family or a member, they should be around other family members. The emotional connection among different family members may create functional or dysfunctional coexistence, which is not easy to identify when an individual is further from the other members. Taking an example of the extended family, the relationship between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law may be tense, but once they are outside the family, they can pretend to have a good relationship. Therefore, I agree with the theory that the existing emotional attachment and developed culture in the family is distinctively understood when the family is together.
Opinion writing is a form of academic paper that asks students to include their thoughts on a particular topic. This is then backed by a logical explanation and examples. Becoming more knowledgeable is a practical way to successfully learn how to write an opinion paper. Before writing anything, it is essential to refer to important information. That includes the definition, topics, opinion writing examples, and requirements. This is what turns amateur writers into master writers.
Feeling like you need some assistance with your essay? No matter what kind of writer you need, opinion or persuasive essay writing service online , our team consists of experts in all fields. Our college essay writing service helps those students who need an extra push when it comes to their assignments.
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Daniel Parker
is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.
is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.
Opinion Essay
A Step-by-Step Guide to Write an Effective Opinion Essay
17 min read
Published on: Feb 28, 2023
Last updated on: Oct 26, 2024
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Are you looking to express your opinion in a clear and convincing way? Crafting an effective opinion essay is the key to making your thoughts heard.
With this simple guide, you can easily do just that.
Here, we'll take you step-by-step through the process of writing a compelling opinion essay. So you can be confident when putting your thoughts into words.
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What Exactly is an Opinion Essay?
An opinion essay is a piece of writing that presents and defends an opinion or viewpoint on a particular topic. To make your argument convincing, you must back it up with facts, evidence, and logical reasoning.
What Makes an Opinion Essay Different from Other Types of Essays?
Opinion essays differ from other types of essays, such as argumentative or persuasive essays. It requires the writer to express their own opinion on a given topic.
Here's a table that compares the three types of essays:
How to Structure an Opinion Essay?
When crafting an opinion essay, it's important to follow a specific essay structure. The basic opinion essay structure is as follows:
- Introduction: An essay introduction should introduce the topic and provide a clear statement of the author's opinion. It should also include any background information necessary to understand the argument.
- Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should present a point or argument in favor of the writer's opinion. It would be followed by evidence or examples to support it. Counter-arguments against the opinion can also be presented and discussed in this section. Although, they should not detract from the main points being made.
- Conclusion: The essay conclusion should summarize the main points and arguments made throughout the essay. Also, restate the author's opinion in a clear, concise way. It may also point out any potential implications of accepting or rejecting their viewpoint.
Struggling to write an opinion essay? Check out this video for some helpful pointers!
Opinion Essay Outline
An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing that presents an argument or point of view on a particular topic. An outline will help organize your thoughts and provide structure for your essay.
Here is an example of what an outline for a great essay might look like:
Here is another example for opinion essay ielts - structure:
By following this basic outline, you can ensure that your opinion essay will be well-structured and organized.
What to Include in an Opinion Essay
To craft a compelling opinion essay, it is important to include the following elements:
Logical Reasoning: Use logical reasoning to connect your evidence to your opinion. Clearly explain how the evidence supports your viewpoint and address any potential counterarguments. Ensure that your reasoning is clear, coherent, and easy for the reader to follow.
Personal Reflection: Share your personal experiences or observations that have influenced your opinion. This adds depth and authenticity to your essay and helps the reader understand the perspective from which you're approaching the topic.
Counter Arguments: Anticipate and address counterarguments to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the issue. Present counterarguments objectively and refute them with well-reasoned responses. This shows that you have considered alternative viewpoints and strengthens your position.
Clear Structure: Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a single point or supporting argument. Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph and provide smooth transitions between ideas.
Use of Persuasive Techniques: Employ persuasive techniques such as rhetorical questions, analogies, or emotional appeals to engage and persuade your readers. However, be cautious not to rely solely on emotional appeals without logical reasoning.
Proper Citations: If you use external sources or references, ensure proper citations and adhere to the appropriate citation style (e.g., MLA, APA). This demonstrates integrity and strengthens the credibility of your essay.
What Not to Include
While writing an opinion essay, it is important to be mindful of certain elements that should be avoided. Here are some things you should not include in an opinion essay:
Personal Bias: Avoid basing your arguments solely on personal beliefs or biases. Instead, support your opinion with objective evidence and logical reasoning.
Emotional Appeals without Reasoning: While it is acceptable to evoke emotions in your readers, do not rely solely on emotional appeals without providing solid reasoning and evidence. Emotions should supplement your arguments, not substitute for them.
Sweeping Generalizations: Avoid making broad generalizations without sufficient evidence or support. Ensure that your claims are backed by credible sources and specific examples.
Lack of Counterarguments: Failing to acknowledge or address opposing viewpoints weakens your essay. Engage with counterarguments and provide counter-evidence to demonstrate your ability to consider different perspectives.
Informal Language: Maintain a formal tone throughout your essay. Avoid slang, colloquialisms, or overly casual language. Use appropriate academic language and vocabulary.
How to Write an Opinion Essay?
Writing an opinion essay requires careful organization and evidence in order to make your point convincingly.
Here are the necessary steps to write an opinion essay:
Choose a Topic
The first step is to decide on an essay topic that appeals to you and that you can research easily. Make sure you are familiar with the subject matter. It would help you to write about it from an informed perspective.
Organize Your Thoughts
Before beginning to write, take some time to organize your thoughts and opinions on the topic. Jot down notes or draw diagrams to visualize how each of your points relates to the main argument.
Find Evidence to Support Your Point of View
After you have taken the time to organize your thoughts, it is important to find evidence that supports your opinion. Research reputable sources and collect quotes, facts, or other information relevant to each point you are making.
Write Essay Conclusion
End with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and reiterates your main argument. Give a final thought about your chosen topic. Keep in mind how it has impacted you and how it could be used to make a difference.
Be sure to reference the evidence that you have gathered throughout your essay as well.
Finally, proofread and edit your work for clarity and accuracy. Reviewing what you have written can help ensure that everything flows logically. Check grammar, punctuation, and spelling while you're at it!
Do's and Don't of Writing an Opinion Essay
When it comes to writing an opinion essay, there are certain guidelines that should be followed.
Here are some essential do's and don'ts of writing an opinion essay:
- Evidence: In order to make a convincing argument, your essay should include evidence that supports your point of view.
- Relevant facts and statistics: Use facts and statistics from reliable sources to back up your arguments.
- Logical flow: Make sure the points you are making logically follow one another in a clear and cohesive manner.
- Counter-arguments: Address any counter-arguments against your opinion by providing evidence that disproves them.
- Clear conclusion: The conclusion should restate your opinion clearly. It summarizes the main points made throughout the essay.
- Unsupportive evidence: Make sure to avoid any irrelevant evidence in your essay that isn't valid. Do not make claims that you cannot back up with facts or examples.
- Unrelated information: Stick to the topic at hand and avoid introducing any irrelevant ideas or tangents into your essay.
- Too much opinion: Although an opinion essay is based on personal beliefs, it should still be supported by evidence-based arguments.
- Weak conclusion: Avoid summarizing the main points without restating your opinion or taking a stand on the issue you are discussing.
- Poor grammar and punctuation: Make sure to review your work for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes before submitting it.
Examples of Opinion Essays
An opinion essay can be written on any topic that has two or more sides to it.
Here are these opinion essay examples:
Learn how to write with these potential opinion essay examples:
Opinion Essay PDF Example
Opinion 3 Paragraph Essay Example
Short Opinion Essay Examples PDF
Opinion Essay IELTS Example
Opinion Essay IELTS Band 9 Example
Opinion Essay About Internet Example
Opinion Essay Topics 5th Grade
5-paragraph Opinion Essay Examples
Abortion Opinion Essay Example
Climate Change Opinion Essay Example
Opinion Essay Topics
Looking for opinion essay topics? Opinion essays are a great way to express your beliefs and thoughts on various subjects.
Here are some topics to consider when writing an opinion essay:
- Social media sites create more harm than good, Agree or Disagree?
- Should the legal drinking age be lowered?
- Is animal testing necessary?
- Should the voting age be lowered?
- Are video games beneficial or harmful to children's development?
- Should the death penalty be abolished?
- Are beauty pageants beneficial to society?
- Is it important to consume organic foods?
- Should nuclear energy be used in place of fossil fuels?
- What are the positive and negative effects of technology on our lives?
Here are some more opinion essays topics - IELTS:
- Should governments ban smoking in public places?
- Should the government fund space exploration?
- Should students be required to wear school uniforms?
- Is social media a positive or negative influence on society?
- Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
If you're looking for advice on expressing your beliefs in an opinion essay without sounding too "preachy". Read this blog for more useful tips!
Opinion Essay Template
Check out the opinion essay template below to help you get started:
Transition Words for an Opinion Essay
Transition words are an essential part of any opinion essay. These words help to link your ideas and provide a logical flow for your paper.
Here are some examples of opinion essay phrases :
- In my opinion
- On the whole
- I strongly believe
- Besides that
- To conclude
- For this reason
- Most importantly
- Nevertheless
- Accordingly
- As a result
- In conclusion
- Without doubt
- Likewise/similarly
- On the contrary
Using transition words effectively can help make your opinion essay easier to read and understand.
Tips for Writing an Effective Opinion Essay
Writing an effective opinion essay requires good research skills and an understanding of how to present your argument clearly.
Here are some tips to help you get started.
- Research: Before writing an opinion essay it is important to do research. Familiarize yourself with different arguments surrounding the topic.
- Organizing Your Thoughts: Take some time to think about your main points and organize them into a logical order.
- Gathering Evidence: Find evidence or examples to support each of your points.
- Structuring Your Work: Organize the evidence into a clear and logical structure. Make sure each body paragraph is focused on one main point and develops this idea in detail.
- Writing the Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the topic and state your opinion clearly.
- Writing the Conclusion: Summarize the main points made throughout the essay and restate your opinion.
Need help with structuring your essay conclusion? Check out this Read and learn how to write an impactful conclusion for any essay!
Follow these tips to make sure your opinion paper is well-written, organized, and persuasive!
To wrap it all up,
Writing an opinion essay is a great way to express your thoughts and opinions on any given topic. With some research, organization, and structure, you can easily convey your point of view. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can write an effective opinion essay and make a strong argument.
Do you need help with essay writing? We provide essay writing help online for your academic writing needs. Our team of professionals ensures that every essay is written to perfection and meets the highest academic standards.
You can also trust our essay writer to deliver quality papers to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 parts of the opinion paragraph.
The 3 parts of the opinion paragraph includes:
- Introduction: It should provide the reader with an overview.
- Body Paragraphs: The paragraphs should present information to support your arguments.
- Conclusion: It should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement.
What are some examples of opinion writing?
Examples of opinion writing include opinion articles, persuasive essays, editorial pieces, and reviews.
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How to write an IELTS opinion essay
Ielts opinion essay: structure, model answer, and analysis..
Updated: February 2023
There are 5 types of essays in IELTS writing task 2 and a common one is an opinion essay.
So how do you know if it is an opinion essay?. You will first need to study the instruction words. These words tell you what you should write about and this should be the first step to take before you even begin to plan. Analyse the task and especially the instruction words so you do not go off-topic or write a different essay altogether.
Here are 2 essay tasks below, which one do you think is the opinion essay?
1. Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness? 2. Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Looking at the instruction words we can see that the second one is an opinion essay as it asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree? ‘
The first task is called a ‘Two-part question essay’ or sometimes called a ‘Direct question essay’.
Instruction words
Opinion essays will have various instruction words such as:
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Do you agree or disagree?
What is your opinion?
Do you think…?
What do you think….?
In your opinion what is ….?
In some cases the instruction words ask your opinion it may be a discussion essay such as:
‘Discuss both views and give your own opinion’
The structure of a discussion essay is different from an opinion essay as you will need to explain peoples views before you go into your own opinion.
This task below is a 2 part question essay and the second question asks your opinion.
Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness?
The opinion essay that I am referring to asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree?’ means how much do you agree/disagree? , do you completely agree/disagree? or somewhat agree/disagree? or do you neither agree nor disagree?
You can write in your thesis statement something like: ‘ I completely agree because…..’ or if you don’t agree, something like: ‘ I absolutely disagree because…..’
What is an effective opinion essay structure?
There is no magic Band 9 structure but my students have found that the structure below works well in an opinion essay.
Tips on structure:
- The main body paragraphs will cover the reasons for your opinion; however, do not list ideas just use one central idea and explain and support it.
- Don’t wait until the conclusion to give your opinion. It must be throughout the whole essay .
- Don’t give 2 different opinions. Do not agree then disagree as it will confuse the examiner. You can balance it with why someone would hold an opposing view but it is not a discussion essay.
- I advise keeping the introduction under 60 words , each body paragraph should be approximately 90 to 105 words , the conclusion needs to be shorter than the introduction and no new ideas should be added to the conclusion
- Aim for between 270 to 295 words , over 300 words is not realistic as you only have 40 minutes to write the essay .
Which body paragraph is better?
Take a look at these 2 main body one paragraphs to the task below, what do you think will score higher?
Task question:
Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
A long time ago people used to go to market places and they bought basic daily necessities, now people can buy online and go to many high street shops. In addition, we can choose any hotel we like at cheap prices. Also, businesses compete with each other which means customers can buy items at low cost as well as a bigger selection of goods. Furthermore, the economy benefits because people can select from so many different products. For example, Amazon.com has millions of products that are much cheaper than buying at a shopping mall.
Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. This means that shoppers can benefit greatly from lower prices. For example, over the past two decades, Ryanair and EasyJet budget airlines have considerably reduced the cost of airfares for flights all over Europe. Before this, there was only one airline to choose from at exorbitant costs. Presently, many more budget airline options are serving destinations worldwide with incredible bargains for customers.
Click below for the answer.
The 2nd example is better because I wrote one central idea (lower prices for consumers) and expanded on that. The example given is not entirely true but it looks very feasible. You can just make up examples but they have to be specific and realistic looking. The point of an example is to support your main idea.
At the start of the paragraph I mentioned that too much choice is overwhelming but then contrast that with my opinion (Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that…) .
To see how to balance the essay click here for a lesson on balancing your opinion .
In example 1 above this has too many ideas and too many points. It jumps around and is not focusing on one central idea. The points are relevant but there is too much going on.
You will also notice an opinion is not given directly in the first example (I think / I believe etc) the whole paragraph affects coherence and cohesion as well as task response. The example given about amazon.com is also quite weak and not well explained.
Analysing the question.
As with all IELTS essays, it is crucial to spend a couple of minutes analysing the task and underling the keywords so that you are writing relevant points in the essay. If you go off-topic or write irrelevant points it will affect your score.
This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too many choices these days . This means that there is something negative about having many choices, as the word ‘too’ implies something negative. In my model answer, I disagree with this being a negative and in fact, many choices are beneficial.
Click here for the 5 steps you need to take before writing.
I advise 10 minutes of planning time, this includes time analysing the question and getting relevant ideas.
Click here for a lesson about examples in main body paragraphs.
Model Answer
Some people believe that n owadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
It is argued that in recent times people are overwhelmed by so many choices. Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.
Another reason why I believe that more choice is beneficial is that the quality of products has improved in recent years. This is because many businesses are vying for customers’ attention, so their main selling points are not only low prices but also much higher quality. For instance, smartphone costs have decreased in the past 5 years and these devices are more powerful and more durable than ever before. This is primarily because manufacturers have focused on quality control to compete with rival products. I would argue that this has been a benefit to consumers which would not have been possible with one or two companies monopolising the smartphone market.
To conclude, despite the argument that there is too much freedom of choice nowadays, I hold the view that this is a positive trend as so many options allows customers to buy inexpensive items without compromising on quality.
Click below to see more detail and an analysis
1. My thesis statement says: Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.
I am giving a balanced opinion here and focusing specifically on choice for consumers.
2. I have covered the points about how more choices have resulted in lower prices in main body one, while in main body two I cover the point about higher quality products because of the fact there are more choices. Notice how I have balanced my view: Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. .
3. The examples I gave are made up and not entirely true but they look realistic, the examiner does not check your examples for validity. Examples are there to support your main ideas. Do not put statistics in the examples either.
4. The points I have made in the essay connect with consumerism and shopping, but I have linked them to the points about how having many choices are of benefit to customers or consumers , because my opinion is that having many choices is a good aspect
5. In this type of essay, you could write about other areas where having many choices are relevant such as the choices of universities we can attend, the choices of work we might engage in, The choice of health care options available….and so on.
Here is a good news article from ‘ Business Insider’ that connects with this task question. Reading is a very good way to get ideas for IELTS essays.
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Topic Sentence and Paragraph Organization
Paragraph organization refers to the way sentences are structured and ordered to create a unified and cohesive body of text.
The principal features to consider in paragraph organization are the topic sentence and controlling idea, supporting details, organizational patterns, and signal words. Together, these features develop a topic and connect ideas from one point to the next, logically and fluidly. This resource explains these features and provides numerous examples of paragraph organization.
The Topic Sentence and Controlling Idea
Similar to a thesis statement, which establishes the central focus or point of a whole piece of writing, a topic sentence works at the paragraph level to express the focus and general point of an individual paragraph. A topic sentence has two parts: 1) the topic that is being discussed throughout the paragraph and 2) a controlling idea that limits the focus on the topic to one point or idea. Each additional sentence in the paragraph then develops or expounds on that point with supporting details. The example topic sentence below is from a body paragraph in an informative essay.
Example Topic Sentence and Controlling Idea
The economy also plays a role in an increase in prescription pain reliever addiction.
The example topic sentence suggests the paragraph topic is “the economy,” and the controlling idea about the economy is how it “plays a role in an increase” in opioid addition. The signal word “also” connects this topic as an additional example or contributing factor to the opioid epidemic, the focus of the paper. The example below shows the topic sentence in the context of the complete paragraph.
The economy also plays a role in an increase in prescription pain reliever addiction. According to Jungeun Olivia Lee, a social work professor at University of Southern California, “The relationship between joblessness and substance abuse is strongest among people from low socioeconomic brackets, who might not be able to afford healthier ways to relieve their stress” (2017, as cited in Khazan, 2017, para. 8). Additionally, every point the unemployment rate rises, opioid-related death rates rise by almost 4 percent (Khazan, 2017). Unemployment makes it not only difficult for those suffering from pain to afford medication or healthy alternatives, but it can also contribute to depression and varying degrees of self-medication and addiction.
Supporting Details
In a paragraph, the topic and controlling idea are developed with supporting details. Listed here are some types of supporting details found in paragraphs along with an example of each in a sentence.
Facts: statistics or evidence from research that can be verified
- The office sold seven million dollars of real estate during the boom years.
Opinions: statements, quotes, or paraphrases from subject matter experts
- According to expert tea maker, Millie Stoff, there are three easy steps to making tea.
Definitions: explanations of what a term or concept means
- A crossover is a family vehicle with the features of a sedan, a mini-van, and an SUV.
Examples: parts, pieces, instances, traits, or specimens that illustrate the essence or character of a greater whole.
- Mario is a shy, introverted young man. For example, he has few friends and mostly keeps to himself.
Anecdotes: narrative accounts of one time or recurring events
- When I visited the Washington Monument, I enjoyed the 180-degree view the most.
Descriptions: a visual or sensory depiction of a person, place, event, activity, or idea
- Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow-frosted trees.
Example Paragraph and Analysis of the Supporting Details
Hiking can be exhilarating during snowy winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a foot bridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow-frosted trees. We saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing my breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air!
The topic sentence in the example paragraph indicates that the paragraph is on “hiking,” and the focus is that hiking is “exhilarating” during winter. The sentences in the paragraph support and develop this idea with an anecdote of the writer’s experience hiking up a mountain during winter. An anecdote is a narrative account that helps a reader understand an event or situation. Had the writer said hiking was “dangerous” instead of “exhilarating,” the anecdote in addition to the visual and sensory details, facts, and opinions about the experience would have been different. Additionally, while the sample paragraph is a personal account, writers in many professions use anecdotal evidence to report events from an objective point-of-view, where the writer is not a participant but rather a witness or observer.
Paragraph Organization
Along with having topic sentences and supporting details, paragraphs are also organized to achieve a certain purpose. However, just as a paragraph can contain different types of supporting details, a paragraph may also include more than one organizational pattern. Listed here are some common patterns for organizing a paragraph:
- Cause and Effect for showing how one thing leads to another
- Chronological Order for narrating events that occurred over time
- Classification for grouping things together according to their features
- Comparison and Contrast for showing how things are similar or different
- Definition and Example for defining a term or idea and then expanding it with examples
- Description for listing details
- Episode for presenting details or information about a specific event or anecdote
- General/Specific Order for presenting a general idea followed by specific examples
- Generalization/Principle for making a general statement or applying a broad principle to explain the supporting details
- Listing for presenting ideas from least to most important
- Order of Importance for building up to or leading away from the most important point.
- Problem and Solution for presenting an issue and a way to address it
- Process/Cause for explaining what or how something happens and then why
- Spatial Order for ordering details directionally
Signal Words
Signal words are signposts or clues to a paragraph’s organization. If the word “type” is used in a sentence, for example, it signals that the ideas involve types or classification, which is an organizational pattern. Signal words are context clues that hint at what the paragraph is about and how it is organized.
Listed here are signal words associated with different types of paragraph organization.
- Cause and Effect : because, consequently, for this reason, hence, and on account of
- Chronological Order : after, at last, at (time), as long as, at the same time, as soon as, before, during, eventually, finally, in (month or year), later, meanwhile, next, on (day or date), since, second, subsequently, then, until, and whenever
- Classification : categories, classes, classifications, elements, features, groups, kinds, methods, types, varieties, and ways
- Comparison and Contrast : another, both, however, likewise, one difference, on the other hand, on the contrary, similarity, similarly, unlike, and while
- Definition and Example : concept, defined as, described as, e.g., for example, for instance, i.e., illustrates, is, is called, is stated, known as, means, refers to, specifically, such as, term, and that is to say
- Description : above, across, along, appears to be, as in, behind, below, beside, between, down, in back of, in front of, looks like, near, onto, on top of, outside, over, such as, to the right/left, and under
- Episode : a few days/weeks later, around the same time, as a result of, as it is often called, because of, began when, consequently, for this reason, just, lasted for, led to, shortly thereafter, since then, subsequently, this led to, and when
- General/Specific Order : for example, for instance, indeed, in fact, in other words, like, namely, such as, and that is
- Generalization/Principle : additionally, always, because of, clearly, conclusively, first, for instance, for example, furthermore, generally, however, if…then, in fact, it could be argued that, moreover, most convincing, never, not only…but also, often, second, therefore, third, truly, and typically
- Listing : additionally, also, and, as well as, besides, furthermore, in addition, in fact, moreover, or, plus, and too
- Order of Importance : central, chief, ending with, finishing with, key, lastly, least, main, major, finally, primary, principal, and significant
- Problem and Solution : answer, challenge, difficulty, dilemma, enigma, indicate, improve, issue, need, plan, problem, propose, resolve, respond, solve, and suggest
- Process/Cause : accordingly, as a result of, because, begins with, consequently, effects of, finally, first, for this reason, how to, how, if…then, in order to, is caused by, leads/led to, may be due to, next, so that, steps involved, therefore, thus, and when…then
- Spatial Order : above, below, behind, beside, down, east, feels, highest, looks, lowest, next to, north, smells, sounds, south, tastes, under, and west
Sample Paragraphs and Analyses of the Organization
The sample paragraphs in this section illustrate topic sentences, supporting details, organizational patterns, and signal words in context. Read each paragraph to identify the type of paragraph organization on your own, and then proceed to the analysis to check your comprehension.
Sample Paragraph 1
- In 1995, Lawrence started his real estate business, and it has since become a huge success. When Lawrence Real Estate opened its door in Oviedo, Florida, it sold seven million dollars of real estate during the first few boom years. By 2000, Lawrence decided to open two branch offices: one in Tampa in 2003 and one in Miami in 2004. By 2007, the home office and both the branch offices had survived the economic slowdown, so Lawrence and his associates expanded their business to the Carolinas and opened a branch office in Charlotte in 2020. It can be safely said that Lawrence Real Estate has become a model for success despite economic struggles and real estate devaluation.
Analysis of Paragraph 1: According to the topic sentence, which contains two coordinating clauses and therefore two subjects and two topics, this paragraph is about Lawrence and his real estate business, and the controlling idea is that they have been successful.
To understand how the supporting details are organized to present information about this topic and idea, the reader can consider the supporting details. To do this, they look at the way the sentences begin and at any signal phrases that lead readers along a certain line of thinking. Here are some key signal words: “in 1995,” “By 2000,” “By 2007,” and “in 2020.” These dates make a pattern. They go back to 1995 and then in a chronological order, they move forward to when the success of the business happened.
This paragraph uses chronological order . The reader will notice too that the last sentence returns to the beginning idea of 15 years ago. In this sentence, a final comment about the time period overall is given with respect to the new information
Sample Paragraph 2
- Making a great cup of tea is easy if you follow these three steps. First, heat a cup of water to the boiling point. Then put the tea bag in the hot water, and let it steep for at least three minutes. Finally, add creamer and sugar to taste. There is nothing tastier than a strong cup of tea early in the morning.
According to the topic sentence, which is the first sentence of the paragraph, making a cup of tea is the topic, and the controlling idea is that it’s easy to do if you follow three steps. Signal words open the following sentences: “first,” “then,” and “finally.” These indicate a sequence of steps, not times or dates as in a narrative story, but steps that happen in a specific order as in the process of doing something or informing others how to do something.
This paragraph uses process order (or process/cause). In the last sentence of this paragraph, the process is completed with a return to the original topic—a cup of tea—and a new comment about it—that a strong cup is tasty in the morning, making those three steps not only easy but also worthwhile.
Sample Paragraph 3
- The Washington Monument is divided into three main areas. The lowest section of the building houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists of elevators and stairways to the top. The top section of the monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the Washington D.C. area. When I visited the Washington Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180-degree view the most.
Based on the topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph, the topic is the Washington Monument, and the controlling idea is that it is divided into three main areas. The paragraph presents information about the lowest section first, the middle section second, and the top section third. The last sentence makes a remark about the most enjoyable of all the sections. This is an example of spatial organization . The information is given in the order you might see it if you were there.
Sample Paragraph 4
- There are three types of family vehicles made in the United States. The first type is the minivan. All American car manufacturers make a version of the minivan. Some say that the comfort and amenities of the minivan compare to none. The second type of family vehicle is the SUV. Some SUVs offer four-wheel-drive to navigate tough terrains, and they also offer seating for a large crowd. A third type of family vehicles is called the crossover. These vehicles supposedly have the best features of the sedan, minivan, and SUV. They are easy to maneuver, look much like a regular sedan, and sit up to six people. All of these vehicles are family friendly; they offer safety, roomy comfort, and many extra features to accommodate the special needs of families.
This paragraph shows another way to organize the details of a topic. The topic sentence of this paragraph is structured differently than the previous ones. Typically, the topic of a sentence is also the grammatical subject, but the subject in this sentence is “there,” a pronoun, and the topic that tells what the paragraph is about, “family vehicles,” is in the predicate of the sentence. The controlling idea is that there are three types made in the U.S.
The paragraph is organized according to those three types: the first type, the second type, and the third type. To conclude, there is a comment about “all of these vehicles” or all of these types of vehicles. When information is organized by types or features, the information is classified. This type of organization is classification .
Sample Paragraph 5
- Although the twin brothers share many physical characteristics, they handle themselves differently in social situations. Mario is a shy introverted young man. He has few friends and mostly keeps to himself. On the other hand, Gino is outgoing and the life of the party. Unlike Mario, Gino has many friends and feels totally at ease among big crowds. The best way to tell these identical twins apart is to invite both to a party and observe how differently they interact with the other guests.
When the topic sentence is complex (having more than one clause) as in this paragraph, there may be two subjects and therefore two topics; however, here, the subject of the first clause is “the twin brothers” and the subject for the second clause is “they,” so both subjects refer to the same topic—the twin brothers. The controlling idea is that the twin brothers share many physical characteristics but handle themselves differently socially.
The paragraph then progresses with descriptions of these similarities and differences. Contrast is created by signal phrases and words such as “although, “on the other hand,” and “unlike.” Words such as “apart” and “differently” also indicate that the organizational pattern of this paragraph is comparison and contrast .
Sample Paragraph 6
- There are many reasons why I enjoy walking tours when visiting new cities. For starters, walking through a city allows the visitor to see the details of an area without having to hurry. This often results in meeting locals and experiencing their lives and traditions first hand. Furthermore, walking tours are flexible and inexpensive because there are no strict schedules or transportation expenses. Travelers taking walking tours are rewarded with firsthand experiences in the places they visit and the opportunity to personally interact with the people who live there.
Because the first sentence begins with “there are,” the reader must move beyond the subject and verb to find the topic. Additionally, this is a complex sentence with an independent and dependent clause connected by “why,” so there may be two topics. Looking at the objects of both clauses, the reader finds “many reasons” and “walking tours.” These two topics are linked together by the controlling idea: the writer enjoys walking tours while visiting new cities for many different reasons.
The signal words build on this idea of “why” with terms such as “results” and “because.” The last sentence then sums up the ultimate effect of walking tours: Travelers are rewarded. This is an example of cause and effect organization.
Sample Paragraph 7
- Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow-frosted trees. We saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing my breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air!
In the first sentence, the topic of the paragraph is “hiking,” and the comment or main idea is that it “can be especially exhilarating during snowy winter months.” Based on this, the reader can expect supporting details to illustrate this exhilaration, but they do not know how it is organized until they look at the signal words that help progress the topic from one idea to the next.
Taking inventory of the signal words, the reader will find several time markers: “When” and “last January” set the narrative in the past while “first” and “then” develop a chronological order of events. The final summarizing sentence about hiking “in winter” reminds the reader of the season.
Within this chronology , signal words are associated with spatial organization: “over,” “up,” “beneath,” “through,” “crunched” (sounded), “saw,” “feels,” and “seeing.” Narratives typically include descriptive elements about the setting. Additionally, the concluding thought contrasts “inhaling” to “exhaling.” The reader can thus conclude that this paragraph has multiple patterns of organization that are intricately connected.
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Module 1: An Overview of the Writing Process
Organizing an essay.
There are many elements that must come together to create a good essay. The topic should be clear and interesting. The author’s voice should come through, but not be a distraction. There should be no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. Organization is one of the most important elements of an essay that is often overlooked. An organized essay is clear, focused, logical and effective.
Organization makes it easier to understand the thesis. To illustrate, imagine putting together a bike. Having all of the necessary tools, parts, and directions will make the job easier to complete than if the parts are spread across the room and the tools are located all over the house. The same logic applies to writing an essay. When all the parts of an essay are in some sort of order, it is both easier for the writer to put the essay together and for the reader to understand the main ideas presented in the essay.
Strategy 1. Reverse Outlining
If your paper is about Huckleberry Finn, a working thesis might be: “In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.” However, you might feel uncertain if your paper really follows through on the thesis as promised.
This paper may benefit from reverse outlining. Your aim is to create an outline of what you’ve already written, as opposed to the kind of outline that you make before you begin to write. The reverse outline will help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both your organization and your argument.
Read the draft and take notes Read your draft over, and as you do so, make very brief notes in the margin about what each paragraph is trying to accomplish.
Outline the Draft After you’ve read through the entire draft, transfer the brief notes to a fresh sheet of paper, listing them in the order in which they appear. The outline might look like this:
- Paragraph 1: Intro
- Paragraph 2: Background on Huck Finn
- Paragraph 3: River for Huck and Jim
- Paragraph 4: Shore and laws for Huck and Jim
- Paragraph 5: Shore and family, school
- Paragraph 6: River and freedom, democracy
- Paragraph 7: River and shore similarities
- Paragraph 8: Conclusion
Examine the Outline Look for repetition and other organizational problems. In the reverse outline above, there’s a problem somewhere in Paragraphs 3-7, where the potential for repetition is high because you keep moving back and forth between river and shore.
Re-examine the Thesis, the Outline, and the Draft Together Look closely at the outline and see how well it supports the argument in your thesis statement. You should be able to see which paragraphs need rewriting, reordering or rejecting. You may find some paragraphs are tangential or irrelevant or that some paragraphs have more than one idea and need to be separated.
Strategy 2. Talk It Out
Find a Friend, your T.A., your Professor, a relative, a Writing Center tutor, or any sympathetic and intelligent listener. People are more accustomed to talking than writing, so it might be beneficial to explain your thinking out loud to someone before organizing the essay. Talking to someone about your ideas may also relieve pressure and anxiety about your topic.
Explain What Your Paper Is About Pay attention to how you explain your argument verbally. It is likely that the order in which you present your ideas and evidence to your listener is a logical way to arrange them in your paper. Let’s say that you begin (as you did above) with the working thesis. As you continue to explain, you realize that even though your draft doesn’t mention “private enterprise” until the last two paragraphs, you begin to talk about it right away. This fact should tell you that you probably need to discuss private enterprise near the beginning.
Take Notes You and your listener should keep track of the way you explain your paper. If you don’t, you probably won’t remember what you’ve talked about. Compare the structure of the argument in the notes to the structure of the draft you’ve written.
Get Your Listener to Ask Questions As the writer, it is in your interest to receive constructive criticism so that your draft will become stronger. You want your listener to say things like, “Would you mind explaining that point about being both conservative and liberal again? I wasn’t sure I followed” or “What kind of economic principle is government relief? Do you consider it a good or bad thing?” Questions you can’t answer may signal an unnecessary tangent or an area needing further development in the draft. Questions you need to think about will probably make you realize that you need to explain more your paper. In short, you want to know if your listener fully understands you; if not, chances are your readers won’t, either. [2]
Strategy 3. Paragraphs
Readers need paragraph breaks in order to organize their reading. Writers need paragraph breaks to organize their writing. A paragraph break indicates a change in focus, topic, specificity, point of view, or rhetorical strategy. The paragraph should have one main idea; the topic sentence expresses this idea. The paragraph should be organized either spatially, chronologically, or logically. The movement may be from general to specific, specific to general, or general to specific to general. All paragraphs must contain developed ideas: comparisons, examples, explanations, definitions, causes, effects, processes, or descriptions. There are several concluding strategies which may be combined or used singly, depending on the assignment’s length and purpose:
- a summary of the main points
- a hook and return to the introductory “attention-getter” to frame the essay
- a web conclusion which relates the topic to a larger context of a greater significance
- a proposal calling for action or further examination of the topic
- a question which provokes the reader
- a vivid image or compelling narrative [3]
Put Paragraphs into Sections You should be able to group your paragraphs so that they make a particular point or argument that supports your thesis. If any paragraph, besides the introduction or conclusion, cannot fit into any section, you may have to ask yourself whether it belongs in the essay.
Re-examine each Section Assuming you have more than one paragraph under each section, try to distinguish between them. Perhaps you have two arguments in favor of that can be distinguished from each other by author, logic, ethical principles invoked, etc. Write down the distinctions — they will help you formulate clear topic sentences.
Re-examine the Entire Argument Which section do you want to appear first? Why? Which Second? Why? In what order should the paragraphs appear in each section? Look for an order that makes the strongest possible argument. [4]
Candela Citations
- Authored by : J. Indigo Eriksen. Provided by : Blue Ridge Community College. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
- Image of kitchen. Authored by : Elissa Merola. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/5u4XQt . License : CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
- Image of two men talking. Authored by : Lovelorn Poets. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/at9FgL . License : CC BY: Attribution
- Organizing an Essay. Authored by : Robin Parent. Provided by : Utah State University English Department. Project : USU Open CourseWare Initiative. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
- Organizing an Essay ↵
- Reorganizing Your Draft ↵
- Parts of an Essay ↵
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I'm Anne Rong, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The New Courant. The New Courant is a non-profit organization publishing youth opinion writing. Whether you're an ordinary human come to read a fresh perspective, or a young writer full of hope and words and opinions, I invite you to explore our site. Keep an open mind, learn something new, and start writing!
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Paragraph Organization & Flow
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This vidcast talks about major components of paragraph-level writing such as unity, coherence, and development. Solid, clear paragraphs that are well-connected create a foundation for an argument and contribute to what writers often call "flow." The handouts on patterns of paragraph organization, flow in scholarly writing, and transition words examine various aspects of a document that contribute to a sense of flow and share detailed information about patterns of paragraph organization. They should be used in conjunction with this vidcast.
Note: Closed-captioning and a full transcript are available for this vidcast.
Patterns of Paragraph Organization
There is no one perfect way to organize your paragraphs. However, depending on the genre and size of the document you're working on, there are a number of logical ways to organize your text. Here you'll find a number of possible options. Note that while this resource talks specifically about writing a rhetorical analysis, the information is applicable beyond this genre.
Flow in Scholarly Writing (PDF)
Flow in writing refers to how easily readers move past the text itself and into a reading experience where they are connecting with the ideas presented within the text. This handout talks about the notion of flow and explains what well-flowing writing looks like at the sentence, paragraph, and textual levels.
Transition Words & Devices
Good transitions can connect paragraphs and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole. Instead of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can help readers understand how paragraphs work together, reference one another, and build to a larger point. The key to producing good transitions is highlighting connections between corresponding paragraphs. This resource offers a list of some common transitional devices.
Search form
An opinion essay.
Look at the essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.
Instructions
Do the preparation exercise first. Then do the other exercises.
Preparation
Are video games a good way to keep fit.
Nowadays, many teenagers have got video consoles at home and they often like playing active video games. These are good for you for a number of reasons.
First of all, I think that active video games are a good way to keep fit. There are lots of different types of exercise you can do such as basketball, water-skiing and dance and, what's more, you can play them in the comfort of your own home. In my opinion, these games are fun and interactive because you can play them with friends and, if you play online, you don't need to be in the same place as your friend to play.
In addition, you can play them whenever you want. Some people think that it's better to do exercise outside in the fresh air. Although this is true, it's actually difficult to play outside when it's raining or very hot so video games are a good alternative.
To sum up, I believe that video games are a fun and social way to keep fit. I think they are a good option when you can't play outside and they might encourage people to do more exercise.
Top Tips for writing
- Write your essay in clear paragraphs. Use phrases like First of all , In addition and To sum up to start each paragraph.
- Express your own opinion using I think , In my opinion or I believe . Mention other viewpoints with phrases like Some people think and say whether you agree or disagree with them.
Check your understanding: multiple selection
Check your writing: matching - useful words and phrases, worksheets and downloads.
Are video games really a good way to keep fit? What do you think?
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IELTS Opinion Essays: Structure, Topics and Sample Answers
11 min read
Updated On Sep 17, 2024
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The article provides guidance on writing IELTS opinion essays, emphasizing structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs supporting one view, and a conclusion. It includes examples, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for clear, concise essays.
Table of Contents
What is an ielts opinion essay, breakdown of the ielts opinion essay format, ielts opinion essay sample answers, latest ielts opinion essay topics of 2024, top 3 common mistakes of ielts opinion essays, tips to answer ielts opinion essay questions.
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IELTS opinion essays mainly focus on agreeing or disagreeing with a particular fact or information. It presents two opposite views and you have to develop your argument supporting one view (strictly one!) You get 40 minutes to complete this task. You have to write at least 250 words on the topic given.
Given below are some examples of IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essays along with their structure. So, let’s understand how to frame the IELTS opinion essay from the sample answers given in the blog!
If you’re gearing up to tackle the Opinion Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2, know that it’s all about writing your opinion on a specific topic with supporting examples. To make sure your essay ticks off all the criteria of a band 8+ essay, organizing it in the right way is key! You can also check tips to write an effective introduction in IELTS Writing Task 2 to present a great IELTS opinion essay!
Let’s now look at a proper format to learn the structuring of an IELTS opinion essay.
Although there is no specific format for IELTS opinion essays, it is crucial to follow certain pointers while answering these essays during the IELTS Writing exam in order to make the answer effective.
Introduction:
- Keep it short, usually around 2-3 sentences.
- Introduce the topic and clearly state your opinion.
- Provide a brief overview of the main points you will discuss in the body paragraphs.
Body Paragraphs (Usually 2 paragraphs):
- Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea that supports your opinion.
- Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.
- Provide evidence, examples, and reasoning to support your main idea.
- Aim for coherence and cohesion within each paragraph by using appropriate transition words.
- Make sure to use appropriate IELTS Vocabulary and grammar while explaining an idea in the body paragraphs.
Conclusion:
- Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
- Restate your opinion, emphasizing its importance or relevance.
- Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion.
Given below is an example of an IELTS Writing task 2 o pinion essay. Let’s understand how to frame the essay from the ideas we have. Additionally, you can review the IELTS Writing Task 2 practice tests on a regular basis to achieve your desired band score.
Sample Question 1
In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Given below is a brief outline of what to write in the essay after identifying the essay type.
Opinion Essay
Introduction
Paraphrase the topic of the essay using synonyms for the words used in the topic statement. Clearly state the view on the topic.
Body Paragraph 1
Technological improvements have increased the level of ease and convenience to a point where people can access news and information at the click of a button. This has led to print media becoming outdated.
Body Paragraph 2
The development of news websites and sites that freely distribute information and print media in a digital form has led to a trend of availing such services and content without paying.
Summarize the essay and re-state the opinion on the topic.
Struggling to Crack the IELTS opinion essays? Our 8+ band trainers have got you! Sign up for a FREE demo now!
Sample Answer
Presently, newspapers, books, journals, magazines, etc. are still actively used by a section of the global population. However, with the arrival of news sites and the availability of books, magazines and other forms of media online, totally free of cost, many believe that such forms of media are on their way to becoming outdated. I agree with this statement, and will explain it further with relevant examples in the essay.
It is a well-known fact that in this day and age if an individual wants to read a book or just go over the news of the day, the first step that they take is to search the internet. Devices such as smartphones and tablets have improved the time efficiency of searching for information online to such an extent that a person can access their preferred form of media in the comfort of their homes in a matter of minutes. Consequently, people have started to abandon their preference for print media due to the presence of much more convenient alternatives.
Additionally, the various forms of print media enjoyed by people can often be availed free of charge on several websites. For instance, most news organizations publish their daily news on their official website, which can be accessed by anyone. Also, some numerous sites and databases provide popular books, journals and magazines in a digital form to the public for a nominal subscription fee or sometimes even for free, leading to a majority of readers of such forms of media shifting away from buying hard copies.
Nevertheless, there is still a sizable chunk of the population that enjoys the conventional forms of print media. That being said, with the cost-effective nature of making such information and content available online, organizations will soon completely shift to internet-based services.
In conclusion, I would like to say that people always prefer the more comfortable alternative that is available. Therefore, it can be safely said that in the coming years, there will be a complete shift from traditional print media to online media services and products.
Sample Question 2
Some people say that international sporting events contribute greatly to peace and stability in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Paraphrase the topic sentence using synonyms.
Mention the view on the topic.
Body Paragraphs
International sports tournaments are events where teams and the general public of various countries come together and collectively participate in the event.
Sports events, especially cricket and football help distract the minds of the citizens from the ongoing difficulties in their country and enjoy these events.
Summarize the essay and state the final view.
Sports has always been a magnificent platform for the finest talents of a country to showcase their skills and represent their nation. At the same time, sports is also one of the few occasions where every citizen of the country unites in support of their favourite teams. It is considered by many that sports are a great approach to maintain stability among countries. This essay will elaborate on the given topic and justify why sports can successfully bring and preserve global peace.
One of the greatest characteristics of any popular sporting event is that supporters of every team involved in the tournament almost always attend the matches that are organized in their cities. Some veteran fans even travel to different parts of the country to witness a match between their favourite teams. These events also unite the populace of a nation as every patriotic individual prays for the success of their national team. For instance, the entire nation wishes for the victory of their national team in the Olympic Games as winning an Olympic Medal is one of the most prestigious honours that can be bestowed upon a country.
It is a well-known fact that the people of a country collectively face several challenges on a day-to-day basis. These issues can be caused by numerous factors and are the typical difficulties that ordinary citizens have to overcome. Sports help people enjoy a few moments of excitement and take a break from the monotony of everyday life.
That being said, sometimes the passion of overenthusiastic sports fans ends up leading to harmful and conflicting situations among communities. Nevertheless, the overall impact of sports on our lives is undoubtedly positive.
Finally, sports are one of the aspects of human life that bind a whole community together. This is enough evidence to understand that sports help maintain peace and stability in a nation.
Ready to grab the latest IELTS writing task 2 question papers of 2024?
Sample Question 3
Our personalities are predetermined as a result of our genes before we are born and there is nothing that can be done to change our character traits. To what extent do you agree?
Paraphrase the topic and mention the view.
Genetics are only a part of the entire list of factors that affect a person’s personality.
One of the most important influences on an individual’s personality is their childhood and upbringing.
Summarize the essay and mention the final view in brief.
Even between small periods of time, there are subtle variabilities in our disposition. Such alterations are quite natural and are a part of a human being’s existence. However, it is often assumed that our personality is entirely dependent on genetics. The following paragraphs will explore the different aspects of personality and justify why genetics are not the only factor influencing our personality.
An individual has countless experiences in their life from childhood to adulthood and finally until death. Every one of these experiences has an impact on a person’s mind, no matter how giant or small. The kind of people present in a person’s immediate surroundings also has a huge influence on their nature and characteristics. Thus, it can be safely surmised that a person’s genes are not the only contributing factor when it comes to personality.
One of the most significant influences on our personality is our childhood experiences and the teachings of our parents. Children are always known to follow in the footsteps of their parents. Thus, if the parents of a child are successful in teaching their children the right values and morals, they are bound to grow into responsible and decent individuals.
It is true that the personality traits of an individual are determined by the features of their parents. Nevertheless, these traits can be altered over the course of many years and different experiences.
In conclusion, genetics affect our personalities in a trivial manner as compared to all the other aspects of our temperament. That being said, our life experiences and learnings are the consequential factors in developing our character.
A few IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essay of opinion essay topics are listed down below, which you can practice. These opinion essay questions may appear in the actual examination.
- In the future, it seems more difficult to live on Earth. Some people think more money should be spent on researching another planet to live on, such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- Many people say that the only way to guarantee a good job is to complete a course in university education. Others claim that it is better to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work. How far do you agree or disagree with the above views?
- Although more and more people read the news on the internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news for the majority of people. Do you agree or disagree?
- Students in schools and universities learn more from their teachers than through other means such as the Internet, libraries, and TV. To what extent you agree or disagree?
- Nowadays university education is very expensive. Some people say that universities should reduce their fees, especially for the less fortunate students or for those coming from rural areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?
- Some people believe that international trade and communication with other countries is a positive trend, while others think it is harmful to nations and they might lose their identities. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.
- Many people believe that schools should teach children to become good citizens and workers rather than independent individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.
- People should follow the customs and traditions when they start to live in a new country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- It is impossible to help all people in the world, so governments should only focus on people in their own countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Prevention is better than cure. Do you agree or disagree that out of the country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventive measures?
Looking for opinion essay topics and questions for 2024?
Find out all of them in our IELTS online classes and sharpen your writing skills!
In IELTS opinion essays, it’s easy to make some common mistakes that can lower your IELTS band score . Getting aware of them is the key to not committing them knowingly or unknowingly while you prepare! The top 3 common mistakes to avoid are:
- Not giving a clear opinion.
- Presenting arguments for both sides of the issue.
- Failing to support your opinion with well-defined reasons and examples.
In the IELTS opinion essays, you need to write your opinion about a topic and back it up with proof and examples. If you use a clear structure and good writing methods, you can improve your chances of doing well! so, let us check out at some important IELTS exam preparation tips for the IELTS opinion essays.
- Spend 5 minutes on a mind map before writing.
- Stick to one viewpoint throughout the essay.
- Use a single main idea to support the topic in each of the two body paragraphs.
- Express your opinion throughout the essay, not just in the conclusion.
- Keep the introduction short, a maximum of 50 words.
- Ensure each body paragraph explains a main idea within 100 words.
- The conclusion should be shorter than the introduction.
- Write a complete essay following the given structure.
- Aim for a word count of 280 words or less.
- Revise the essay to avoid IELTS Grammar and spelling errors which can affect your score.
Here are the 10 Examples for the Opinion Essay Topics IELTS:
Also check:.
- Tips to write great writing essay
- How to get band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2
- IELTS Writing recent actual test
- IELTS 2024 Study Plan for 1 month (30 Days) / 15 Days / 7 Days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the structure for writing the introduction for an opinion essay?
Is it mandatory to state my opinion in the introduction? Can I skip it and introduce my opinion in the body paragraphs?
What are the words that I can use to state my opinion?
Can I underline the important sentences, to attract examiner’s attention?
Is it mandatory to write the essay in first person?
Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types
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Nehasri Ravishenbagam
Nehasri Ravishenbagam, a Senior Content Marketing Specialist and a Certified IELTS Trainer of 3 years, crafts her writings in an engaging way with proper SEO practices. She specializes in creating a variety of content for IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL, and certain immigration-related topics. As a student of literature, she enjoys freelancing for websites and magazines to balance her profession in marketing and her passion for creativity!
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A clear, arguable thesis will tell your readers where you are going to end up, but it can also help you figure out how to get them there. Put your thesis at the top of a blank page and then make a list of the points you will need to make to argue that thesis effectively.
For example, consider this example from the thesis handout : While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake”(54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well”(51) is less convincing.
To argue this thesis, the author needs to do the following:
- Show what is persuasive about Sandel’s claims about the problems with striving for perfection.
- Show what is not convincing about Sandel’s claim that we can clearly distinguish between medically necessary enhancements and other enhancements.
Once you have broken down your thesis into main claims, you can then think about what sub-claims you will need to make in order to support each of those main claims. That step might look like this:
- Evidence that Sandel provides to support this claim
- Discussion of why this evidence is convincing even in light of potential counterarguments
- Discussion of cases when medically necessary enhancement and non-medical enhancement cannot be easily distinguished
- Analysis of what those cases mean for Sandel’s argument
- Consideration of counterarguments (what Sandel might say in response to this section of your argument)
Each argument you will make in an essay will be different, but this strategy will often be a useful first step in figuring out the path of your argument.
Strategy #2: Use subheadings, even if you remove them later
Scientific papers generally include standard subheadings to delineate different sections of the paper, including “introduction,” “methods,” and “discussion.” Even when you are not required to use subheadings, it can be helpful to put them into an early draft to help you see what you’ve written and to begin to think about how your ideas fit together. You can do this by typing subheadings above the sections of your draft.
If you’re having trouble figuring out how your ideas fit together, try beginning with informal subheadings like these:
- Introduction
- Explain the author’s main point
- Show why this main point doesn’t hold up when we consider this other example
- Explain the implications of what I’ve shown for our understanding of the author
- Show how that changes our understanding of the topic
For longer papers, you may decide to include subheadings to guide your reader through your argument. In those cases, you would need to revise your informal subheadings to be more useful for your readers. For example, if you have initially written in something like “explain the author’s main point,” your final subheading might be something like “Sandel’s main argument” or “Sandel’s opposition to genetic enhancement.” In other cases, once you have the key pieces of your argument in place, you will be able to remove the subheadings.
Strategy #3: Create a reverse outline from your draft
While you may have learned to outline a paper before writing a draft, this step is often difficult because our ideas develop as we write. In some cases, it can be more helpful to write a draft in which you get all of your ideas out and then do a “reverse outline” of what you’ve already written. This doesn’t have to be formal; you can just make a list of the point in each paragraph of your draft and then ask these questions:
- Are those points in an order that makes sense to you?
- Are there gaps in your argument?
- Do the topic sentences of the paragraphs clearly state these main points?
- Do you have more than one paragraph that focuses on the same point? If so, do you need both paragraphs?
- Do you have some paragraphs that include too many points? If so, would it make more sense to split them up?
- Do you make points near the end of the draft that would be more effective earlier in your paper?
- Are there points missing from this draft?
- picture_as_pdf Tips for Organizing Your Essay
Opinion On political endorsement
A note from the publisher:.
William Lewis is publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post.
The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election. Nor in any future presidential election. We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates .
As our Editorial Board wrote in 1960:
“The Washington Post has not ‘endorsed’ either candidate in the presidential campaign. That is in our tradition and accords with our action in five of the last six elections. The unusual circumstances of the 1952 election led us to make an exception when we endorsed General Eisenhower prior to the nominating conventions and reiterated our endorsement during the campaign. In the light of hindsight we retain the view that the arguments for his nomination and election were compelling. But hindsight also has convinced us that it might have been wiser for an independent newspaper in the Nation’s Capital to have avoided formal endorsement.”
The Editorial Board made two other points — ahead of an election that John F. Kennedy won — that will resonate with readers today:
“The election of 1960 is certainly as important as any held in this century. This newspaper is in no sense noncommittal about the challenges that face the country. As our readers will be aware, we have attempted to make clear in editorials our conviction that most of the time one of the two candidates has shown a deeper understanding of the issues and a larger capacity for leadership.”
However, it concluded:
“We nevertheless adhere to our tradition of non-endorsement in this presidential election. We have said and will continue to say, as reasonably and candidly as we know how, what we believe about the emerging issues of the campaign. We have sought to arrive at our opinions as fairly as possible, with the guidance of our own principles of independence but free of commitment to any party or candidate.”
And again in 1972, the Editorial Board posed and then answered this critical question ahead of an election which President Richard M. Nixon won: “In talking about the choice of a President of the United States, what is a newspaper’s proper role? … Our own answer is that we are, as our masthead proclaims, an independent newspaper, and that with one exception (our support of President Eisenhower in 1952), it has not been our tradition to bestow formal endorsement upon presidential candidates. We can think of no reason to depart from that tradition this year.”
That was strong reasoning, but in 1976 for understandable reasons at the time, we changed this long-standing policy and endorsed Jimmy Carter as president. But we had it right before that, and this is what we are going back to.
We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility. That is inevitable. We don’t see it that way. We see it as consistent with the values The Post has always stood for and what we hope for in a leader: character and courage in service to the American ethic, veneration for the rule of law, and respect for human freedom in all its aspects. We also see it as a statement in support of our readers’ ability to make up their own minds on this, the most consequential of American decisions — whom to vote for as the next president.
Our job at The Washington Post is to provide through the newsroom nonpartisan news for all Americans, and thought-provoking, reported views from our opinion team to help our readers make up their own minds.
Most of all, our job as the newspaper of the capital city of the most important country in the world is to be independent.
And that is what we are and will be.
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Guest Essay
James Carville: Three Reasons I’m Certain Kamala Harris Will Win
By James Carville
Mr. Carville is a veteran of Democratic presidential campaigns, including Bill Clinton’s in 1992, and a consultant to American Bridge, a Democratic super PAC.
There is a palpable anxiety wailing on the winds of American life right now. More than in any other election in my lifetime, I’ve been consistently asked by people of all stripes and creeds: “Can Kamala Harris win this thing? Are we going to be OK?” This sentiment is heard over and over from sweaty Democratic operatives who all too often love to run to the press with their woes.
While I am not one to take part in the political prediction industry — recently ballooned by mysterious crypto investments gambling on a Donald Trump victory — today I am pulling my stool up to the political poker table to throw my chips all in: America, it will all be OK. Ms. Harris will be elected the next president of the United States. Of this, I am certain. Here are three reasons:
Mr. Trump is a repeat electoral loser. This time will be no different.
The biggest reason Mr. Trump will lose is that the whole Republican Party has been on a losing streak since Mr. Trump took it over. See 2018: the largest House landslide for Democrats in a midterm election since Watergate . See 2020: He was decisively bucked from the White House by Joe Biden. See 2022: an embarrassment of a midterm for Republicans off the heels of Dobbs . And the Democrats have been performing well in special elections since Trump appointees on the Supreme Court helped take away a basic right of American women. Guess what? Abortion is on the ballot again — for president.
There simply do not seem to be enough voters — even in the battleground states — who turn out at Mr. Trump’s behest anymore when he’s simply preaching to his base. He has not learned from his electoral losses nor done the necessary work to assemble a broad electoral coalition in 2024. Let’s not forget that seven weeks after Nikki Haley dropped out of the Republican primary, she received 158,000 votes in Pennsylvania — and some disaffected Haley voters are currently looking to move to Ms. Harris. Although Ms. Haley has endorsed Mr. Trump, losing even a fraction of those voters leaves Mr. Trump running the final leg of this race with a fundamental fracture of the femur. To add a cherry to the pie, most voters think Mr. Trump is too old to be president , but instead of easing their concerns, he’s spending the final days of the campaign jiving to the Village People and canceling interviews.
On the other side, in just three months Ms. Harris has assembled a unified and electrified coalition. From Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Liz and Dick Cheney, it is the broadest we have seen in modern political history. And Ms. Harris’s coalition is just as excited as the smaller opposition. This is shaping out to be a record-turnout election — and if the bigger coalition turns out with equal enthusiasm, it will be lights out for Mr. Trump.
Money matters, and Ms. Harris has it in droves.
More reality: Money matters in politics. If this weren’t the case, somebody would be wasting an awful lot of time raising it. Take it from Lindsey Graham, who is whining that Republicans are getting creamed in fund-raising. He’s not wrong to complain, since Ms. Harris is processing Cheddar like a Wisconsin cheese factory.
Since joining the race, the vice president has raised an eye-boggling $1 billion , and last quarter one of her fund-raising committees reeled in $633 million — dwarfing what Mr. Trump raised with two committees combined. All this cash not only effectively offsets the flow of money funneling in for Mr. Trump from some tech billionaires , but it has also given Ms. Harris the resources she needs to persuade swing voters with ads and to organize on the ground. With her field operation moving like a tremendous machine , it seems likely there has never been a greater disparity in voter contact efforts. Mr. Trump can run all the high-profile TV ads he wants painting Ms. Harris as extreme, but what’s less discussed is that she is more than fighting back with ads reminding voters of how Mr. Trump betrayed his oath of office after the 2020 election and ended a woman’s right to choose. She is strapped with the necessary cash to forcefully remind suburban women and voters in the middle that Mr. Trump is, in fact, the extremist candidate.
It’s just a feeling.
My final reason is 100 percent emotional. We are constantly told that America is too divided, too hopelessly stricken by tribalism, to grasp the stakes. That is plain wrong. If the Cheneys and A.O.C. get that the Constitution and our democracy are on the ballot, every true conservative and every true progressive should get it too. A vast majority of Americans are rational, reasonable people of good will. I refuse to believe that the same country that has time and again overcome its mistakes to bend its future toward justice will make the same mistake twice. America overcame Mr. Trump in 2020. I know that we know we are better than this.
Now, I don’t mean for my prediction of a Harris victory to breed complacency. We still have days of vital work to do. I say all this because a movement that marches with hope is 1,000 times as thunderous as a movement that marches with dread.
For the past decade, Mr. Trump has infected American life with a malignant political sickness , one that would have wiped out many other global democracies. On Jan. 6, 2021, our democracy itself nearly succumbed to it. But Mr. Trump has stated clearly that this will be the last time he runs for president. That is exactly why we should be exhilarated by what comes next: Mr. Trump is a loser; he is going to lose again. And it is highly likely that there will be no other who can carry the MAGA mantle in his wake — certainly not his running mate.
In two weeks, we not only have a chance to elect Kamala Harris as president, but a chance to bring finality to the sordid career of Donald Trump and drive MAGA into a prolonged remission.
See you on the other side.
James Carville is a veteran of Democratic presidential campaigns, including Bill Clinton’s in 1992, and a consultant to American Bridge, a Democratic super PAC.
The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .
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COMMENTS
Paragraph 1: Introduction. Capture your reader's attention with a good hook. Present the prompt and state your opinion. Some tips for a good opinion essay hook: Use a surprising statistic. Profess an unpopular opinion. Ask a rhetorical question. Share an anecdote.
Each argument you will make in an essay will be different, but this strategy will often be a useful first step in figuring out the path of your argument. Strategy #2: Use subheadings, even if you remove them later Scientific papers generally include standard subheadings to delineate different sections
Whole-Essay Structure IMRAD. While organization varies across and within disciplines, usually based on the genre, publication venue, and other rhetorical considerations of the writing, a great deal of academic writing can be described by the acronym IMRAD (or IMRaD): Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
In order for your argument to be persuasive, it must use an organizational structure that the audience perceives as both logical and easy to parse. Three argumentative methods —the Toulmin Method, Classical Method, and Rogerian Method— give guidance for how to organize the points in an argument. PARTNER CONTENT.
Exercise 3. On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.
Elements of an Opinion Essay. An opinion essay typically includes the following elements: 1. Introduction paragraph: The introduction should grab the reader's attention and provide background information on the topic. It should also include a clear thesis statement that outlines the writer's position. 2.
Opinion essay introduction. Address the audience directly, and state the subject matter. Reference a speech, poem, book, or play. Include the author's name and date of publication in brackets. Thesis. 1 or 2 sentences to make up a short description. 1 or 2 summarizing sentences of the entire paper.
Writing an opinion essay requires careful organization and evidence in order to make your point convincingly. Here are the necessary steps to write an opinion essay: Choose a Topic. The first step is to decide on an essay topic that appeals to you and that you can research easily. Make sure you are familiar with the subject matter.
This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too many choices these days. This means that there is something negative about having many choices, as the word 'too' implies something negative. In my model answer, I disagree with this being a negative and in fact, many choices are beneficial.
paragraph. A topic sentence has two parts: 1) the topic that is being discussed throughout the. paragraph and 2) a controlling idea that limits the focus on the topic to one point or idea. Each. additional sentence in the paragraph then develops or expounds on that point with supporting details.
Organizing an Essay. There are many elements that must come together to create a good essay. The topic should be clear and interesting. The author's voice should come through, but not be a distraction. There should be no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. Organization is one of the most important elements of an essay ...
Organizing an Essay. Organizing ideas and information clearly and logically in an essay, so that readers will understand and be able to follow the writer's thinking, is an essential stage of the writing process, but one that often proves to be more difficult than it sounds. When people write, ideas tend to come out in whatever order they occur ...
WELCOME! I'm Anne Rong, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The New Courant. The New Courant is a non-profit organization publishing youth opinion writing. Whether you're an ordinary human come to read a fresh perspective, or a young writer full of hope and words and opinions, I invite you to explore our site. Keep an open mind, learn something ...
Paragraph Organization & Flow. This vidcast talks about major components of paragraph-level writing such as unity, coherence, and development. Solid, clear paragraphs that are well-connected create a foundation for an argument and contribute to what writers often call "flow." The handouts on patterns of paragraph organization, flow in scholarly ...
Top Tips for writing. Write your essay in clear paragraphs. Use phrases like First of all, In addition and To sum up to start each paragraph. Express your own opinion using I think, In my opinion or I believe. Mention other viewpoints with phrases like Some people think and say whether you agree or disagree with them.
Free Trail. IELTS opinion essays mainly focus on agreeing or disagreeing with a particular fact or information. It presents two opposite views and you have to develop your argument supporting one view (strictly one!) You get 40 minutes to complete this task. You have to write at least 250 words on the topic given.
Strategy #1: Decompose your thesis into paragraphs. A clear, arguable thesis will tell your readers where you are going to end up, but it can also help you figure out how to get them there. Put your thesis at the top of a blank page and then make a list of the points you will need to make to argue that thesis effectively.
An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays. Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and ...
October 25, 2024 at 11:58 a.m. EDT. William Lewis is publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post. The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate ...
He's not wrong to complain, since Ms. Harris is processing Cheddar like a Wisconsin cheese factory. Since joining the race, the vice president has raised an eye-boggling $1 billion, and last ...