how to write an essay with your opinion

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Opinion essay – the power and importance of effective writing.

When it comes to expressing one’s viewpoint, the written word holds tremendous power. An opinion essay, also known as a persuasive essay, allows individuals to convey their beliefs, values, and perspectives on a particular subject. It serves as a platform for writers to convince readers of their stance by presenting logical arguments backed by evidence and examples. Crafting an exceptional opinion essay requires a combination of critical thinking skills, efficient research, and persuasive writing techniques. In this article, we will explore some useful strategies and tips to help you master the art of writing a remarkable opinion essay.

Step 1: Choosing a Compelling Topic

The first step in writing an outstanding opinion essay is selecting a compelling topic that resonates with your interests and offers ample scope for debate. The key is to choose a subject that is thought-provoking, relevant, and engaging to your target audience. Brainstorm ideas, conduct preliminary research, and identify unique angles or perspectives within your chosen topic. This will help you narrow down your focus and provide a solid foundation for constructing a compelling argument.

Step 2: Developing a Clear Thesis Statement

Once you have selected a topic, the next step is to develop a clear and concise thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument of your essay. The thesis statement should articulate your stance on the topic and provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay. A strong thesis statement is specific, debatable, and supported by compelling evidence. It serves as the backbone of your essay and helps ensure coherence and clarity in your writing.

Step 3: Researching and Gathering Evidence

An excellent opinion essay is built on a foundation of thorough research and credible evidence. To strengthen your argument, conduct in-depth research on your topic using reputable sources such as scholarly articles, books, and reputable websites. Take notes, highlight key points, and gather evidence to support your thesis statement. It is critical to ensure that the evidence you present is accurate, reliable, and relevant to your argument.

Step 4: Structuring Your Essay

A well-structured essay is crucial for conveying your ideas effectively. Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that provides background information on the topic and hooks the reader. Follow this with a well-organized body that presents your main points, supported by evidence and examples. Use paragraphs to separate different ideas and ensure logical flow throughout the essay. Finally, conclude your essay by summarizing your main arguments and reinforcing your thesis statement.

Step 5: Polishing Your Writing

To write an exceptional opinion essay, it is essential to pay attention to the finer details of your writing. Ensure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are flawless. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively, and avoid vague or ambiguous statements. Additionally, consider the tone and style of your writing, adapting it to suit your target audience. Finally, revise and edit your essay to eliminate any errors or inconsistencies and ensure a polished final product.

By following these tips and strategies, you can elevate your opinion essay writing skills and effectively communicate your viewpoint to persuade and engage your readers. Remember, practice makes perfect, so seize every opportunity to refine your writing and express your opinions with confidence and conviction.

Choose a compelling topic that sparks interest

In order to captivate your readers and make your opinion essay stand out, it is essential to carefully select a topic that evokes curiosity and engages their interest. The topic you choose should be thought-provoking, relevant, and have the potential to generate a strong emotional response among your target audience.

When selecting a topic, consider what subjects or issues you are genuinely passionate about. By choosing a topic that genuinely sparks your interest, you are more likely to convey genuine enthusiasm and engage your readers. Additionally, consider the current societal or cultural climate, as well as any ongoing debates or controversies, as these can provide excellent sources of inspiration for your opinion essay.

Furthermore, always try to choose a topic that is unique and original. While it can be tempting to select a popular or trending topic, keep in mind that many other writers may have already covered these subjects extensively. To make your essay truly standout, it is important to select a topic that is less explored or offer a fresh perspective on a well-established topic. This will not only capture the attention of your readers but also demonstrate your ability to think critically and provide a unique viewpoint.

Overall, selecting a compelling topic that sparks interest is crucial for the success of your opinion essay. By choosing a topic that you are passionate about, exploring current debates or controversies, and offering a unique perspective, you can ensure that your essay captivates your audience and stands out among others.

Develop a strong thesis statement to guide your essay

One of the most crucial elements of writing an outstanding opinion essay is developing a strong thesis statement to serve as a guiding point for your entire essay. The thesis statement is a concise and clear statement that presents the main argument or standpoint of your essay. It should be a single sentence that encompasses the essence of your opinion and sets the tone for the rest of your writing.

The thesis statement acts as a roadmap that helps both you as the writer and your readers to navigate through your essay. It provides a clear direction and purpose to your writing, giving your readers a sense of what to expect and what stance you will take on the given topic.

When developing your thesis statement, it is important to choose a strong and specific argument that can be supported with evidence and examples throughout your essay. Avoid general or vague statements that lack clarity and precision. Instead, opt for a statement that is debatable and provokes thought and discussion.

To develop a strong thesis statement, start by brainstorming and generating ideas related to your topic. Consider the main points you want to make and the key arguments you want to present in your essay. Once you have a clear understanding of your position, craft a concise sentence that encapsulates your main argument.

In the weak thesis statement example, the argument is vague and lacks specific reasons. On the other hand, the strong thesis statement clearly outlines the negative effects of fast food consumption and provides specific points that will be addressed in the essay.

Remember, a strong thesis statement sets the foundation for a well-structured and persuasive opinion essay. It serves as a guide for your writing and helps you stay focused on your main argument throughout your essay.

Use reliable sources to support your arguments

When crafting an opinion essay, it is crucial to back up your arguments with evidence from credible sources. Utilizing reliable sources will not only strengthen your arguments but also lend credibility to your essay.

When searching for sources to support your opinions, look for reputable websites, scholarly articles, and books written by experts in the field. It is important to ensure that the sources you use are reliable and trustworthy. This can be achieved by checking the author’s credentials and reputation, as well as the publication or website’s credibility.

Using credible sources shows that you have done thorough research and are presenting well-informed opinions. It demonstrates to your readers that your arguments are backed by evidence and are not simply based on personal beliefs or biases. By using reliable sources, you are contributing to the overall quality and validity of your essay.

By utilizing these types of sources, you can ensure that your arguments are well-supported and grounded in factual information. It is also important to properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors.

Remember, using reliable sources not only strengthens your arguments but also adds credibility to your opinions. Take the time to thoroughly research and find sources that are respected and trustworthy to enhance the quality of your opinion essay.

Structure your essay with clear and logical paragraphs

When it comes to crafting an impressive opinion essay, one crucial aspect to focus on is the structure of your paragraphs. By dividing your essay into clear and logical paragraphs, you can effectively communicate your ideas and arguments to your readers.

A well-structured essay is like a well-organized house, where each room serves a specific purpose. Similarly, each paragraph in your essay should have a clear topic and contribute to the overall argument. This helps your readers understand the flow of your thoughts and makes it easier for them to follow your reasoning.

• Introductory paragraph: This paragraph should grab the reader’s attention and provide some background information about the topic. It should also include your thesis statement, which states your opinion on the subject.
• Body paragraphs: The body of your essay should consist of several paragraphs, each focusing on a different point or argument. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Provide supporting evidence and examples to strengthen your arguments.
• Counterargument paragraph: In an opinion essay, it’s important to address counterarguments and refute them. Dedicate a paragraph to acknowledging opposing viewpoints and explaining why they are not valid.
• Conclusion: The concluding paragraph should summarize your main points and restate your thesis. It should leave the reader with a clear understanding of your opinion and the arguments you have presented.

By structuring your essay with clear and logical paragraphs, you can make your arguments more persuasive and help your readers navigate through your ideas effortlessly. Remember to use transition words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs, creating a cohesive and coherent essay.

Conclude with a persuasive and memorable closing statement

As you reach the end of your opinion essay, it is crucial to leave your readers with a strong and impactful final thought. Your closing statement should aim to persuade and leave a lasting impression on your audience. By carefully crafting your closing statement, you can effectively summarize your main arguments and leave your readers with a clear and persuasive call to action or thought-provoking idea.

To create a persuasive and memorable closing statement, consider recapping your main points and reinforcing the central theme of your essay. By reminding your readers of the key arguments you have presented, you can reinforce your position and demonstrate the strength of your opinion. Additionally, you can also use your closing statement to connect your essay’s topic to a broader context or real-world implications, emphasizing the importance of your opinion.

Furthermore, a memorable closing statement should make your readers think and reflect. It can be effective to pose a thought-provoking question, challenge common assumptions, or present a powerful anecdote or statistic. By engaging your readers’ emotions and encouraging critical thinking, you can leave a lasting impact and potentially inspire further discussion or action on the topic you have written about.

Remember to keep your closing statement concise and focused. Avoid introducing new arguments or information that may dilute the impact of your overall essay. Instead, aim for clarity and a memorable ending that reinforces your main points and leaves a strong impression on your readers.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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How to Write an Opinion Essay

Home / Blog / How To Write An Opinion Essay: Structure And Examples

Introduction

Opinion essays are a type of academic writing that requires a writer to express their personal opinions about a particular topic or issue. Unlike other forms of academic writing, the main focus of an opinion essay is not on presenting facts, but on expressing personal opinions and providing arguments to support them. In this blog post, we will discuss the structure of an opinion essay and provide some examples to help you write a well-structured and convincing opinion essay.

Structure of an Opinion Essay

An opinion essay should have a clear and well-organized structure, which consists of the following components:

1.  Introduction

2.  Body Paragraphs

3.  Conclusion

Let's take a closer look at each of these components.

The introduction is the first part of your essay , and it should grab the reader's attention and provide them with some background information on the topic you are writing about. In an opinion essay, the introduction should also include a clear thesis statement that summarizes your main argument or opinion.

For example, if you were writing an opinion essay on the topic of climate change, your thesis statement might be something like this:

"Climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action from individuals, governments, and businesses alike."

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of your opinion essay should provide more detailed information and arguments to support your thesis statement. Typically, an opinion essay will have three to five body paragraphs, each focusing on a different argument or piece of evidence.

In each body paragraph, you should start with a clear topic sentence that summarizes the main point of the paragraph. Then, you should provide evidence, examples, or personal experiences to support your argument.

For example, if you were writing an opinion essay on the topic of climate change, one of your body paragraphs might focus on the impact of carbon emissions on the environment. Your topic sentence might be something like this:

"The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming and other environmental problems."

You could then provide evidence to support this argument, such as statistics on carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, or examples of how global warming is affecting ecosystems around the world.

The conclusion of your essay should summarize your main arguments and restate your thesis statement in a new and compelling way. You should also provide some final thoughts or recommendations for the reader to consider.

For example, if you were writing an opinion essay on the topic of climate change, your conclusion might look something like this:

"In conclusion, climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action from individuals, governments, and businesses alike. By reducing our carbon footprint and investing in renewable energy sources, we can help mitigate the effects of global warming and protect our planet for future generations."

Examples of Opinion Essays

To help you better understand the structure of an opinion essay, let's take a look at some examples.

Example 1: Should College Athletes Be Paid?

Introduction:

College athletics is a billion-dollar industry, with universities making millions of dollars off the hard work and talent of their student-athletes. In my opinion, college athletes should be paid for their efforts on the field or court.

Body Paragraphs:

College athletes generate millions of dollars for their universities through ticket sales, merchandise, and television deals.

College athletes often do not have the time or resources to hold a part-time job while competing at a high level.

Paying college athletes would help to reduce the financial burden of student-athletes and their families.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, college athletes should be paid for their hard work and talent on the field or court. By compensating these athletes, we can ensure that they are able to pursue their athletic dreams without sacrificing their financial stability or future opportunities.

Example 2: Should Social Media Platforms Be Regulated?

Social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of people using them to connect with friends, family, and colleagues. However, the increasing use of social media has also led to concerns about their impact on society, including the spread of misinformation and hate speech. In my opinion, social media platforms should be regulated to ensure that they are not used to spread harmful content.

Social media platforms have a responsibility to prevent the spread of harmful content, including hate speech, fake news, and misinformation.

The current self-regulation system has proven to be inadequate, with many social media platforms failing to remove harmful content in a timely manner.

Government regulation could help to ensure that social media platforms are held accountable for the content they host, while also protecting the rights of users.

In conclusion, social media platforms should be regulated to ensure that they are not used to spread harmful content. By holding these platforms accountable for the content they host, we can protect the rights of users while also preventing the spread of hate speech, fake news, and misinformation.

Example 3: Should Recycling Be Mandatory?

The importance of recycling has become increasingly clear in recent years, with growing concerns about the impact of waste on the environment. In my opinion, recycling should be mandatory to ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect our planet.

Recycling is essential for reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and pollutes our environment.

Many people do not recycle voluntarily, and mandatory recycling programs have been shown to increase recycling rates.

Recycling can also have economic benefits, such as creating jobs in the recycling industry and reducing the need for raw materials.

In conclusion, recycling should be mandatory to ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect our planet. By increasing recycling rates, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, protect our environment, and create economic benefits for our communities.

In summary, writing an opinion essay requires a clear and well-organized structure that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should include a clear thesis statement that summarizes your main argument or opinion. The body paragraphs should provide detailed information and arguments to support your thesis statement, while the conclusion should summarize your main arguments and restate your thesis statement in a new and compelling way. By following this structure and using examples to support your arguments, you can write a convincing and well-structured opinion essay on any topic.

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Ultimate guide to writing an opinion essay, rachel r.n..

• June 14, 2023
• How to Guides

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 Essay

Last updated on: Jun 9, 2023

How to Write an Opinion Essay - Structure, Topics & Examples

By: Cordon J.

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Nov 2, 2021

The opinion essay is a type of persuasive writing that reflects the writer's point of view. It shows what the writer thinks or how they feel about a specific subject.

Moreover, such an essay requires good writing skills as well as an understanding of its format. Continue reading to know more about how to write a good opinion essay in no time. Also, find below the examples and topics for better guidance.

On this Page

What is an Opinion Essay?

An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing in which the writer expresses their viewpoints on a specific issue. It is done to persuade or convince readers.

To do this successfully, you need to present your opinions and reasoning with logical examples for both sides of the argument. The opposing viewpoint is also presented.

Similarly, an opinion essay is also known as agree or disagree essay. Writing an opinion essay is similar to writing a persuasive essay. It requires you to explain why your viewpoint is right, but it's more like the conclusion of a research paper. Here, the writer defends rather than trying to convince someone else about what they should think or do about the topic.

Consider the following points while writing a good opinion paper.

• Always support your opinion by using a strong piece of evidence from credible sources.
• Write all sentences in a proper sequence.
• Avoid using copied content from the internet and state your own opinion.
• Write formally and avoid using slang words.
• Ensure that the essay is free from any grammatical and spelling mistakes.

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Opinion Essay Structure

Writing any type of essay requires proper format and structure. The same is the case with an opinion essay that follows a standard five-paragraph structure.

Let us have a look at the detailed opinion essay format structure given below.

Introduction

• Grab the audience’s interest with a hook statement
• Present your opinion
• Introduce the main topic
• State the thesis statement

Body Paragraph 1

• Write a topic sentence with the first reason
• Supporting evidence
• Facts/ Examples

Body Paragraph 2

• Write a topic sentence with the second reason

Body Paragraph 3

• Write a topic sentence with the third reason
• Summarize your opinion
• Restate the thesis statement

How to Write an Opinion Essay?

Writing an opinion essay requires proper planning and preparation. Here are some important steps that you should follow to write a perfect essay in no time.

1. Prewriting Stage

Before you start writing your opinion essay, collect evidence to support your viewpoint. Make sure that the information collected is relevant in order for it to be considered a good argument.

After you start brainstorming, consider answering these questions to get more ideas.

• What are the central arguments being conveyed in the essay?
• What did the audiences want to know?
• Is my opinion relevant to the main theme?
• How can I improve my opinion?

Look at this list for ideas and organize their answers in a detailed opinion essay outline.

2. Begin Writing the Essay

There are three major sections included in an opinion essay. These comprise an introduction paragraph, main body, and a conclusion. The following is a detailed description of these sections.

• Introduction -  It is the first section that discusses the subject and states your opinion about it. Always start this paragraph with an attention-grabbing hook statement and present the thesis statement at the end.
• Body Paragraphs -  These paragraphs contain all the relevant information to support the main thesis. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence and use present tense while writing this essay. Never use phrasal verbs and idioms and add in-text citations properly. Lastly, make sure to use transitions for a logical flow of ideas. The opposing side who disagrees with the statement should also be represented in your writing.
• Conclusion -  This section is as important as the introduction. It should not only be restating the thesis statement but also present the central arguments. However, you should avoid introducing any new ideas.

3. Proofreading and Editing

The final step to your essay is proofreading. Make sure that the grammar, vocabulary, and spellings are all correct before submitting the final draft. Check for plagiarism, as this will also help protect you from being accused of cheating.

Don't forget about the essay’s structure. Make sure there is a clear introduction followed by well-developed body paragraphs and a conclusion.

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Opinion Essay Examples

Examples are a great way to get a detailed idea of writing any type of essay. Below we have attached some samples for you to get a comprehensive understanding of the writing process.

OPINION ESSAY SAMPLE

OPINION ESSAY ABOUT COVID 19

OPINION ESSAY ABOUT FAST FOOD

Opinion Essay Topics

Here is a list of topics for an opinion essay that you can select for writing your own paper.

• Is social media damaging to our personal relationships?
• Does traveling benefit young people?
• Are high school dress codes biased against female students?
• Should primary schools still teach handwriting?
• Should public transportation be free for city residents?
• Should college and university be free?
• Should doping be allowed in competitive sports?
• Are professional sports players’ salaries too high?
• Should physical education be mandatory in high school?
• Should hormonal birth control be sold over the counter?

The comprehensive guide mentioned above will help you write a perfect opinion essay in no time. However, if you still need help with the writing process, contact a professional  essay writing service  like  5StarEssays.com .

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Our expert essay writers have what it takes to make your work stand out from everyone else's. With years of experience, they know how to get things done in no time at all!

Just tell them exactly what you need help with - whether that be a simple high school essay or an advanced dissertation, we'll take care of everything for you. Call us now and place your  order  to get an impressive opinion essay at affordable rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an opinion essay called.

An opinion essay is also known as an argumentative, persuasive, or position essay.

What is the purpose of an opinion essay?

An opinion essay aims to explain something from a subjective position of a writer. It is also used to convince someone of anything by proving the stance.

What are the features of opinion writing?

Some of the main features of opinion writing include:

• Concrete details
• Language and content-specific words
• Relationships between and among ideas
• Linking reasons and evidence to the opinion

How do you introduce an opinion in writing?

An opinion is mainly introduced by stating the topic and providing reasons that are supported by facts and details drawn from credible sources.

What is a supported opinion essay?

Supported opinion essays are a great way to show your opinion on the subject and back it up with sound evidence. The goal of this essay isn't just convincing readers that you're right but also letting them see how well-researched all aspects were for their own learning.

Can you use I in an opinion essay?

It's not true that there is such a rule as, never use (I) in an opinion essay . It depends on the circumstances, but these kinds of expressions should be used when you think it will help your writing and thematics to get across to the readers.

College Admission Essay, Law

Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.

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Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write an Opinion Essay + Examples

A personal opinion essay is an essential part of an educational process. Wherever you study, you will surely come across this kind of work. And if you’re stuck with finding ideas, you have come to the right place. In this article, you will learn all the intricacies of writing and get some good opinion essay topics.

Let’s start!

🤔 What Is an Opinion Essay?

🖊️ how to write an opinion essay.

• 🔗 Linkers and Transition Words

💡 Opinion Essay Ideas

👨‍🎓 opinion essay examples.

An opinion essay is a type of work that involves the expression of one’s own opinion, which has become the product of processing facts and arguments. However, this does not mean there should be no argumentation in the essay. It will be a big plus if you have a couple of examples from your own life or the lives of historical figures, illustrating some facts in your stock. Writing an opinion essay requires the author to clearly state his thoughts on any occasion, without excessive water and long reasoning.

Among other things, it should be remembered that, technically, an opinion essay is a formal type of work that many graduates write at the end of their studies. And this means it has its structure and specific writing rules that must be adhered to. To fully understand the meaning of this type of work, try reading a couple of our free essay samples .

🎯 The Purpose of an Opinion Essay

An opinion essay is an excellent tool for teaching students how to express their position correctly. And also to test the depth of their knowledge and thinking. An opinion essay can help you to boost your skills:

• Ability to convey your thoughts . Regardless of the topic of the essay, the teacher wants to see that his wards, leaving the educational institution, will be independent individuals. Therefore, the student needs to show the ability to convey their thoughts on any occasion.
• Competent writing skills . Even in the modern world, writing skills do not lose their relevance. This type of work allows you to form it as efficiently as possible. So if you want to impress your boss, remember to pay attention to grammar and punctuation.
• Topic knowledge . Unfortunately, there is no error-free way to test a student’s ability. However, opinion essays allow the teacher to examine everyone and ensure that the topic has been mastered. This is especially true for subjects such as history and literature.

And, of course, you should understand that the purpose of any text is to be read. So just be creative, and you will have a fantastic essay!

🗝️ Key Features of an Opinion Essay

Like any other type of writing, an opinion essay has characteristics that make it unique. And, of course, to compose a competent text, you need to know about them.

• Focus on the author’s clear and well-reasoned subjective opinion . All proofs, as well as the conclusion, are based on it.
• Logical-based structure . Moreover, it entirely depends on the intentions of the writer.
• Examples and arguments come primarily from personal experience . However, an author may use history and social life quotes and examples of literary heroes to prove their position.
• Speech instruments used . As an author, you will benefit significantly from using a variety of speech constructs . They can help you influence other people. Connecting constructs and clear speech will keep the reader interested and get the most out of the reader.

You just need to get used to all the features to get a little practice. You will succeed!

⚖️ Argumentative, Opinion or Persuasive Essay: the Difference

Before proceeding directly to writing the text, it is worth learning one more important thing. Even towards the end of high school, many people confuse opinion and persuasive essays. These papers look similar.

To help you distinguish the argumentative, opinion, and persuasive essays, we prepare a table of comparisons where you can easily indicate the difference between these papers:

Now let’s move on to which sections the essay consists of and how it should be written. You can safely use this information as a synopsis when completing the assignment.

So, the first one!

📃 Opinion Essay Format

As mentioned earlier, a specific opinion essay structure must be followed. Therefore, before you prepare writing, make up a small outline, which will contain all the components of the text and your ideas for their content. So, how to start an opinion essay?

Opinion Essay Introduction

Of course, any text starts with a short opening. This section should summarize the essence of the problem you are writing about. The main task of the introduction is to entice the audience and familiarize them with the paper’s main topic. Therefore, by the first paragraph, a person will build an impression of your talents.

Moreover, remember that the introduction should be catchy. How to write a hook for an opinion essay? In simple words, this is a proposal that should interest the reader and draw his attention. It should be subject-related and relatively accurate. All you have to do is show the reader that the topic of the essay will be critical and even touch it.

Let’s take a look at some opinion essay introduction examples from our authors, in which you can see all the listed components:

• As Ronald Reagan said in one of his speeches, everyone who advocates abortion has been born. The topic of abortion is very controversial, and people still cannot come to a standard solution. That is why, in this abortion opinion essay, I will try to sort out my thoughts and answer whether abortion is a panacea or a hidden evil.
• Global warming is a global problem. As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez aptly put it, we cannot sit back while our planet is on fire. But can one person influence the fate of all humanity? I think so, and in this essay, I will try to explain my position

Of course, these examples are conditional, and you can change them as you need to achieve a quality result.

Opinion Essay: Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the final sentence of an introduction . It is an integral part of the entire text. And if your essay will be evaluated, then the absence of the thesis will significantly underestimate the point. So how do you write the last sentence competently so that the reader will like it?

At its core, in the thesis, you should summarize everything that you indicated in the introduction and, in a nutshell, make it clear what will be discussed. You are expected to state your position on the issue clearly. And then, the entire text should be directed precisely to reinforce your words.

For example, take this essay topic: “ Is globalization a positive phenomenon? ” In this case, a good thesis would be “ In my opinion, globalization has many more advantages than disadvantages. ”

See how one small phrase can dramatically improve your overall performance score. Therefore, pay due attention to it!

Opinion Essay: Body Paragraphs

Finally, you come to the main body of your essay, namely the argumentation. The body paragraphs of an opinion essay are aimed at correctly explaining the author’s position to the audience. Here you are expected to have good arguments and examples that will become your assistants in proving your case.

Body paragraphs have two parts: an argument and an example supporting what you said. For example, you might say that the lack of responsibility for actions leads to the corruption of the mind and soul. And as an explanation to these words, briefly support your statement with the story of the protagonist of the novel by Jack London, “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

Moreover, no one limits the number of these same arguments, and often it depends on the maximum volume of the text itself. The standard case is two good arguments, supported by examples from life or literature. Then you can be sure that the reader will correctly understand your idea.

🔗 Linkers and Transitional Words for Opinion Essay

Connecting structures are an invisible companion for the reader throughout the entire essay. They are also called linkers or transitional words . At their core, these two concepts mean the exact phrases. Their task is to make the text more readable and smoothly translate the reader from one idea to another. Moreover, all these constructions are divided into subgroups depending on their purpose. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples of good transition words for an opinion essay:

• In my opinion…
• It is clear that…, etc.
• It is widely known that…
• It is a well-known fact that…
• Research has shown that…
• There are definitely…
• It is a fact that…, etc.

There are also brilliant linkers for opinion essays on these themes:

• In spite of…
• However, etc.
• To conclude…
• In conclusion…, etc.

Using these constructions, you will significantly increase the consistency of your text and help the reader to perceive it better.

Now that you have a basic understanding of writing an essay, let’s look at some good opinion essay topics. Feel free to use them for your creative work and get good points.

💡 30 Opinion Essay Prompts

So, our team has selected 30 excellent opinion essay topics for you. Look for what resonates in your soul and get to work!

• Opinion essay: success in life depends on being successful at school. Many of us were assured that it is impossible to reach heights without a good performance at school. What do you think about it?
• Mobile phone addiction is the scourge of the 21st century. Give arguments from your life and tell about personal experiences.
• Opinion essay about GMO : pros and cons. For many, this topic remains a secret. It’s time to dispel all inaccuracies and find out the whole truth.
• Should university study be free? What is your position?
• Opinion essay about technologies in our life . What impact do they have?
• Compulsory vaccination : pros and cons. If you have any personal experience with this topic, feel free to share it.
• Opinion on abortion essay: do people have the right to choose?
• US neutrality in World War II : what would have gone differently?
• Opinion essay about video games. Is it an addiction or just leisure ? What do you think?
• Does the motivation from famous people have an effect, or is it a dummy? Do you have an opinion on this matter?
• Essay opinion on junk food : how dangerous it is. Everyone was warned that junk food and junk food kill the body, but maybe it’s all about the quantity?
• Parenting is the foundation of a child’s success. Do you think that the parents are responsible for the future education and work of their child?
• Opinion essay: buy nothing day or Black Friday sales. What do you choose and why?
• The advantages of living in a metropolis and a small town . Which would you choose?
• Essay: opinion about global warming . Do you think this is a real threat, or is it just a panic among people?
• Homemade food or dining out in restaurants? What do you and your family prefer?
• Social media impact opinion essay. Billions of people spend their time on social media. What consequences can this have for humanity?
• Consequences of increasing the budget for road construction. How will this affect our cities?
• Opinion essay: television promotes violence through broadcasting abusive behavior. Do you agree with this thesis?
• Humanity is destroying the ecosystem and making the earth uninhabitable. What arguments can be for and against?
• Opinion essay about homework : is this system outdated? How do you feel about this from a student’s point of view?
• Artists and internet bloggers make vast amounts of money. Do you support this?
• Opinion essay about racism in modern life. What are the dangers of this behavior? Tell us about your personal experience or give an example from the community’s life.
• Some people dream of changing their place of residence. Do you think that moving to another country will help you in self-realization?
• The best profession to choose opinion essay. What are your thoughts? Where would you like to be after finishing your studies?
• People prefer online communication over live communication. How do you feel about this trend?
• Opinion essay about same-sex marriages. For some people, this is unacceptable. What do you think about it?
• How can movies and television affect human behavior ? Do you think certain viewing films should be limited for people with a weak mentality?
• Opinion essay about immigration . Should the state provide maximum assistance to everyone who wants to get into it?
• Should people be allowed to carry weapons with them? What restrictions can be used, in your opinion?

These themes are ideal for getting good results.

Now let’s look at some small sample essays from our authors. You can see all the listed components and highlight some interesting ideas for yourself!

Climate change opinion essay, truth or fiction? (250 words)

Climate change has been heading the news for decades. Almost everyone is puzzled by this problem in the modern world, but is there any reason to believe that this is just exaggerated media panic? I think not, and in this essay, I will try to explain my position. The first thing worth paying attention to is the changes that we can see every day. But nature is changing, and this is noticeable with the naked eye. For example, you can look at how the temperature regime has changed over the past decades. In my region, real winter began in the last days of November. Then the temperature dropped to zero, and there was already snow outside the window. However, I would be thrilled to see snowfall this year, at least at Christmas. This raises questions about the veracity of statements from the media and various organizations. You should also look at the publicly available facts. International organizations conduct ongoing research, which clearly shows that the climate is changing, and it is difficult to fix it. One of the most respected teams, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), regularly issues climate change reports. And in them, you can see what reasons for this and what it can lead to. This is excellent and detailed work that deserves everyone’s attention. In summary, we can say that climate change can be seen with the naked eye. This problem affects all people on the planet, and to ignore it is to expose yourself to great danger. Humanity is destroying our world, and can we deny it?

Opinion on death penalty essay, is it moral? (300 words)

Many international treaties have long banned the death penalty, but this does not prevent several countries from regularly using it against criminals. I think this is a terrible practice that has no place in our civilized world. The argument for this may be the simple idea that every creature has a right to life. And this right cannot be taken away under any condition because you can take a dangerous path by creating an incident. One Russian scientist Andrei Sakharov spoke very accurately about this: “The existence of the institution of the death penalty dehumanizes society. I spoke out and am opposed to the death penalty also because this punishment provides for the presence of a constantly terrible apparatus of executors, the whole institution of the death penalty ”. I fully support his words because there is no reason not to kill the second after killing once. It should also be understood that people sentenced to death are not always, in fact, guilty. There is a miscarriage of justice, and no one can be insured against it. The most resonant was the story from 1949. Timothy Evans was hanged on charges of murdering his pregnant wife and two-year-old daughter. Four years later, it wasn’t until serial killer John Christie, who had testified in court against Evans, confessed to the murder. He was hanged, and Timothy Evans was posthumously rehabilitated. The Timothy Evans case is one of the most remarkable stories in the death penalty dispute. To summarize, I can say that there are many reasons for the absolute ban on the death penalty in the world. This is not only inhuman but can lead to unnecessary deaths. Fighting crime in this way, the people who defend the law themselves break it.

Opinion essay on smoking: should the state intervene? (300 words)

Smoking is a global problem. Experts predict that in the coming decades, the number of smokers will reach one billion people worldwide. In my opinion, governments should take strict measures to limit nicotine use among the population. Firstly, smoking poses enormous hardships for addicts. All this can increase the number of cancer patients and people suffering from heart and lung diseases. At the same time, it can be tough to give up cigarettes on your own. We all understand that nicotine in quantities that a person receives from cigarettes is not characteristic of the body. Therefore, our body can react in an extraordinary way to its appearance. An example may well be my family, suffering from heart problems for several generations. All men, from my great-grandfather to my father, visit doctors all the time. And they all have one reason – excessive smoking. At the same time, they cannot quit smoking on their own due to a banal addiction. Secondly, smokers can damage the health of other people nearby. It is a well-known fact that secondhand smoke is no less harmful than the regular use of nicotine. And unfortunately, non-smokers, in most cases, have no choice. You can see it yourself in everyday life. People who are forced to breathe smoke while sitting at bus stops or in public places simply cannot do anything about it. The only way to help them is to introduce more and more restrictions from the state. So, in conclusion, we can say that smoking is not only a problem for the person addicted to cigarettes. Everyone suffers from this, from his family to strangers around him. Unfortunately, these difficulties cannot be resolved on their own. But is the state and society doing enough to help people with addiction?

❓ What Are the Characteristics of an Opinion?

The opinion is an entirely subjective position formed due to the influence of certain factors on the mind. It can be characterized as a personal judgment, point of view, and not an exact fact. However, an opinion can be valid only if it is supported by actual knowledge. Otherwise, it can be called more of a guess.

❓ How Many Paragraphs is an Opinion Essay?

The standard structure consists of four main parts: an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Nevertheless, if it is not specified in the assignment, it can deviate slightly from such a system. It is pretty standard practice to write three or more body paragraphs. Conversely, if one section fully covers the topic, then the need for other explanations may disappear.

❓ What Is the Structure of an Opinion Essay?

An essay structure is a precise sequence of your thoughts, which will help the reader to understand the topic better. The standard system consists of an introduction, two arguments, and a conclusion. In addition, there are less visible components like a hook, thesis statement, and linkers words. You can expand the structure by adding more argument parts. However, the sequence must remain the same.

❓ What Is a Supported Opinion Essay?

An essay based on a person’s personal opinion implies a clear statement of the author’s thoughts on a specific topic. However, to show understanding of the problem, one should rely on facts, research, or examples from life. A supported opinion essay is precisely when the author’s opinion is based on objective factors.

📎 References

• Basic Essay Structure. Port. Ac
• An opinion essay. British Council
• How to Write an Opinion Based Essay. UCT Language Centre
• Recognizing Transitions. MPC.Edu
• Writing Your Paper: Transitions. EWU.Edu
• Transition Sentences. The College of Saint Rose
• Writing Effective Conclusions. Richmond University
• Conclusion – How to write an essay. University of Newcastle
• Writing a thesis statement. IELTS Buddy
• CCSS Argument versus Opinion Writing
• Essay Structure. Harvard College Writing Centre
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How to Write an Opinion Essay

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An opinion essay stands as a potent tool for expressing personal viewpoints, beliefs, and perspectives on various subjects. Unlike other forms of essays , that heavily rely on facts and evidence, an opinion essay invites writers to showcase their unique thoughts and emotions on a given topic. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to write an opinion essay. We will offer invaluable insights and practical tips to help you navigate this expressive form of writing.

What is an Opinion Essay?

An opinion essay is a literary form that allows writers to articulate their personal stance on a particular issue. An opinion essay encourages the author to convey their beliefs and support them with reasoning and evidence. The core objective is to persuade readers to adopt the author's perspective or, at the very least, to consider it thoughtfully.

How to Write an Opinion Essay in 5 Steps

1. Develop a Clear Thesis Statement Crafting a robust thesis statement is paramount to the success of your opinion essay. This should encapsulate your main argument and provide a roadmap for your readers. Decide whether or not you agree with your given question and put together a list of two or three compelling reasons bolstering your stance.

As you contemplate your position, delve deeper into each reason. Think about data, statistics, or anecdotes that you could use not only to substantiate your viewpoint but also to lend credibility to your argument.

2. Plan Your Structure Organise your thoughts and arguments logically by structuring your essay appropriately. Start with an engaging introduction that introduces the topic and presents your thesis statement. Follow this with well-organised body paragraphs, each dedicated to a specific point supporting your thesis. Finally, conclude your essay with a succinct summary of your main arguments and a powerful restatement of your thesis.

3. Provide Strong Supporting Evidence While an opinion essay is inherently subjective, it is essential to bolster your arguments with relevant evidence. This may include real-life examples, statistics, expert opinions, or historical references. The more compelling your evidence, the more persuasive your essay becomes.

4. Address Counterarguments Anticipate and address potential counterarguments to strengthen your position. Acknowledging opposing viewpoints demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic and adds credibility to your essay. Refute counterarguments with well-reasoned responses, reinforcing the robustness of your perspective.

5. Craft a Compelling Conclusion End your essay with a strong conclusion that summarises your key points and reiterates your thesis. Leave a lasting impression on your readers by offering a thought-provoking insight, a call to action, or a compelling final thought that reinforces the significance of your viewpoint.

Opinion Essay Writing Tips

1. Clarity is Key Ensure your writing is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and avoid unnecessary jargon. A well-articulated opinion essay is easily understood and resonates with a broader audience.

2. Stay Focused Maintain a clear focus on your chosen topic. Avoid veering off into unrelated tangents, as this can dilute the impact of your arguments. A focused essay is more persuasive and engaging.

3. Embrace Your Voice An opinion essay is your chance to showcase your unique voice and perspective. Don't shy away from injecting personality into your writing. A strong, authentic voice resonates with readers and makes your essay memorable.

4. Revise and Edit Take the time to revise and edit your essay meticulously . Check for grammatical errors, clarity, and coherence. A polished essay demonstrates your commitment to delivering a high-quality piece of writing.

The Importance of Persuasive Writing

Mastering the art of opinion essay writing is a skill that opens doors to effective communication and persuasion. By choosing compelling topics, crafting a clear thesis, providing strong evidence, and addressing counterarguments, you can create an essay that not only expresses your opinions but also captivates and convinces your audience. Remember, the key lies in embracing your unique voice, staying focused, and refining your writing through careful revision.

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How to Write an Opinion Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

Table of contents

• 1.1 The Ultimate Purpose
• 1.2 Key Features of Opinion Essay Writing
• 2 Criteria of a Convincing Opinion Essay
• 3.2 Don’ts
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Body Part 1
• 4.3 Body Part 2
• 4.4 Body Part 3
• 4.5 Conclusion

Whether in primary education, high school, or college, knowing how to write a paper that supports your position is vital. The ability to build arguments is another essential skill you can demonstrate in your work. Moreover, writing a persuasive opinion essay will help you score higher grades and let your voice resonate across many topics.

Opinion essays invite writers to express their standpoints regardless of what the opposing views might be. As long as you can back up your reasoning with facts and examples, it will remain valid. The author should also suggest a contrasting idea but refute it with arguments that expose its inconsistency.

Above all, students have the freedom to express their opinion on a specific topic. Yet, no idea is relevant if it lacks a proper explanation. Hence, learning the definition, purpose, criteria, and structure is highly beneficial. This step-by-step guide will show you how to write an essay and proceed to the finale like a pro.

What Is an Opinion Essay?

According to academia, an opinion essay is a written text that includes the author’s thoughts on a defined subject matter. The sentences should develop gradually and build upon logically presented claims. Eventually, you must arrive at an outcome that arises from relevant facts and arguments.

Including several examples from your life can be a big plus in the eyes of your educator. This point is particularly relevant for entry applications. Composing a good college admission essay requires the author to state ideas clearly, without excessive fillers and long reasoning. Referring to facts from studies and research or mentioning historical figures is advisable, too.

Finally, your manuscript must be technically accurate and structured and follow the rules of academic writing shared by your teacher. Since it is a formal piece, students must adhere to pre-set requirements. Typos, grammatical errors, and illogical sentences are off-limits, too.

The Ultimate Purpose

Teachers prefer the opinion essay format because it has proven to teach learners to express their views correctly. In addition, such reasoning lets educators test their students’ knowledge and critical thinking. Here are the underlying objectives convincing writing can achieve:

• Polished writing style. Even in a highly digitalized world, writing skills are still relevant. More specifically, you will have to write different types of college essays in school and later in your career. The sooner you master the process, the more efficiently you’ll deliver your standpoints in the future.
• Ability to convey thoughts. Regardless of the topic, teachers aim to help each student become an independent individual, knowing how to fight for their rights. Everyone must learn to express convincing arguments that put opposing views in a subordinate position.
• Mastering a specific subject. Educators must implement methods to test each student’s acquisition of the subject taught in school. Hence, writing a short essay is an excellent opportunity to ensure topic understanding. Social sciences and literature are ideal courses for this purpose.
• Developing creativity and reaching your audience. Any text intends to attract the reader’s interest and leave a mark on or modify their views. This way, you boost your confidence and improve your composition skills.

Key Features of Opinion Essay Writing

Essays have a specific form and characteristics you must follow to produce a high-quality piece. Consider these suggestions to make your text unique and attention-grabbing.

• Address the question at hand from both sides. This approach shows you’re knowledgeable about the subject and can tackle opposing views.
• Present a concise and well-reasoned subjective opinion. Ensure all your proof leads to it and that the conclusion summarizes your main points.
• Draw arguments and examples from your prior experiences. However, you can also include literary quotes and historical facts to strengthen your position.
• Stick to a logical essay structure . Sentences should flow naturally and lead to the finale.
• Incorporate speech instruments. Various language constructs will impact your audience and hook their attention.
• Use transition words to progress smoothly to the end of your manuscript. As a result, your reader will feel engaged and eager to proceed.

Criteria of a Convincing Opinion Essay

Many people don’t know how to write an opinion essay introduction even after graduation. Thus, they turn to a professional writing service to order an essay or read a few samples. Whatever your preference, there are specific guidelines you must consider when writing.

• Straight to the point: Going off-topic will lower your grade. Hence, check the relevance of your standpoints to the assignment and don’t steer away from the central idea.
• No fluff. Don’t write long sentences with no point in sight and a lot of water. Run-on sentences are also unacceptable because they bore the reader.
• Indentation: Remember to indent the first line of the intro for about 0.5 inches from the left margin. Indenting other body paragraphs isn’t necessary if there is enough visual spacing between them.
• A carefully crafted thesis: This part will describe the essay briefly and signpost what follows. Hence, offer insight about what you will support in the main body.
• Formality level: Although you might include some informal wording, concentrate on scholarly constructions. If you have problems, consider hiring a reflective essay writing service to boost your academic vocabulary. Also, choose more complex linking phrases.
• First-person sentences: Since you’re offering details from your experience, consider writing in the first person.
• Clear structure. Your essay must be coherent and follow the standardized layout.
• No slang: Forget about acronyms and abbreviations like “LOL” and “OMG, because these examples reveal you aren’t familiar with the essential rules.
• Focus on proper spelling and impeccable grammar.
• Versatile vocabulary: Use a lot of synonyms and high-learned phrases that demonstrate your academic skills.
• Refrain from parentheses, dashes, and exclamation marks. Also, avoid emojis at all costs.

Tips for Writing an Opinion Essay

Here’s some more expert advice on how to make an opinion essay stand out from the crowd.

• Use a scholarly tone for your opinion writing. It should sound as if you’re making a persuasive speech.
• Introduce the subject with clarity. Avoid useless phrases that distance the reader from the writing opinion paper.
• Avoid jargon and non-literary wording.
• The main ideas must be easy to spot. All body segments begin with a topic sentence.
• Write an excellent opinion essay conclusion.
• Stick to the present simple tense.
• Cite your sources and references.
• Use phrases like “I believe”, “I reckon,” and “In my view.”
• Brevity is the key. Write a concise introduction and conclusion that round up your positions.
• Ensure a logical sequence and give reasons that are easy to follow.

Don’ts

• Avoid colloquial expressions that come and go quickly.
• Abbreviated forms aren’t correct. Replace all contractions with their non-contracted versions. The reader should grasp what you’re contemplating.
• Over-generalizations are irrelevant. Stay precise.
• Don’t integrate statistics without citing them.
• Don’t forget essay examples that substantiate your position.
• Avoid repeating arguments. Group several similar facts in a single claim.
• Too many straightforward sentences are not typical for academic writing.
• Don’t use an imperative voice but be discreet.
• Emotive vocabulary should get avoided.
• Avoid addressing the audience “you”.

Writing an opinion essay can be a daunting task. However, with enough dedication and research, you can craft an essay that will demonstrate your knowledge and opinion on a given topic. To get started, head to PapersOwl.com , a reliable writing service that can provide you with quality opinion essay samples and guidance.

Opinion Essay Outline

The five-paragraph structure is perfect for this kind of writing. Alternatively, you might find someone to write your essay online for a fee. This way, beginners can see what each paragraph includes and how to develop their skills. Overall, the following structure will steer you in the right direction.

Introduction

– State the subject matter

– Share a famous quote or scientific fact and give credit

– Thesis statement (one or two sentences to describe the overall content)

– Sentence that introduces the first argument

Body Part 1

– Supporting claim

– Example

– Explanatory part

– Sentence that transitions to the second argument

Body Part 2

– Sentence that transitions to the third argument

Body Part 3

– Sentence that transitions to the conclusion

– Summary of the essay

– An overall sentence that rounds up the theme.

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How to write an opinion essay

Published September 27, 2020. Updated May 17, 2022.

Opinion Essay Definition

An opinion essay is a piece of writing that reflects the author’s point of view on a particular topic.

Overview of an Opinion Essay

Learning how to express your opinion and back it up in a constructive argument is an important life skill. Whether in a casual conversation or a more serious situation, being able to express yourself and your opinions will help you in the long run. There are a few steps to be followed to create a successful opinion essay: prewriting (finding the best topic), developing a strong thesis, writing an enticing introduction paragraph, writing three clear body paragraphs, writing a gripping conclusion, revising, and editing, polishing, and consulting an expert.

Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.

Prewriting: Finding the Best Topic

Your essay will only be as good as your opinion, so spending some time prewriting will work in your favor. Prewriting literally means “writing before” and refers to preparation you do before you start writing. It is an important step of the process to organize your thoughts.

Brainstorming all possible opinion ideas is a great way to start. This is a good time to go over the professor’s instructions and review the parameters.

• Are there any overarching topics that you need to focus on?
• Are there any topics that must be avoided because they are trite, controversial, or don’t fit the motif of the class?
• Finally, consider what YOU feel strongly about. If you choose an opinion that you already have some passion about, the whole process will be easier.

The final step in prewriting is to do some research if needed. You might hold an opinion but not know everything about it. This is a great time to get your facts straight and to find out what you need to know. By organizing your thoughts first, you will know what holes you need to fill in your knowledge, and you will have a better understanding of what needs to be researched.

Develop a Strong Thesis

A thesis sentence is like the road map for the paper. If you write a strong thesis, your paper will be easier to write AND to read. The thesis statement is (typically) one sentence that expresses your opinion and shows what the paper is about. Make sure that your thesis statement includes all of the following:

• An explicit opinion that you will be able to elaborate on. Choose something unique so that it stands out from the crowd, and make sure you already have some knowledge about it to get you started.
• Clear, specific vocabulary that makes your opinion sound strong. Since this thesis sentence is so important to the scope of the paper, take great care in choosing each word.
• Use the third-person point of view . This means using pronouns like he, she , and they (avoiding pronouns like I, me , we , and you ). Using the third-person perspective strengthens your argument right from the thesis sentence.
• Write a complete sentence with a strong action verb. Along with the specific vocabulary mentioned above, make sure to use a strong action verb that will add energy and specificity to your writing.

Write an Enticing Introduction Paragraph

A solid introduction paragraph needs to ease the reader into the paper and help them make connections to their own lives. A good introduction will also make your opinion clear, so the reader knows just what to expect throughout the rest of the paper. Take special care to entice your reader into reading. If the first few lines of the paper don’t grab the reader’s attention, they will not want to continue reading. Taking a few moments to set up the paper in an interesting way will pay dividends as you complete the project and gain the reader’s interest.

An introduction has three basic sections. Including these three sections and using transitions between them will ensure a great introduction paragraph.

• Begin the introduction paragraph with a startling fact, quote, or statistic . This strategy helps to get your audience’s attention and will lure them into the rest of the paper.
• The second section is a connection section . This section sets up the entire essay and clarifies what it will be about. The connector section links the anecdote or fact to the thesis, and shows the reader what they can look forward to in the paper.
• The third part of the introduction paragraph is the strong thesis statement. Use the sentence you already created in the section above.

Write Clear Body Paragraphs

Now you come to the meat of your essay and the section where you will try to persuade the reader why your opinion is justified or matters. Here are some general tips to help you write a clearly articulated and organized paper.

Have at least three main points

In order to organize your writing, it is important to have at least three body paragraphs, each focusing on a different point. Before you begin writing these, ask yourself which three main points you would like to make to back up your opinion. These become your body paragraphs.

Put the ideas in the best order for maximum benefit

Organization is key to a strong opinion essay. Many opinion writers like to put the strongest idea at the end of the essay to pack the most punch.

Use transitional words to link your ideas

Transitions are words that show a relationship. If you are stuck, a quick search for transitional words and phrases will give you many more to choose from. Here are a few example words:

• Ordinal words : first, second, last
• Proving words : definitely, evidently
• Words introducing exceptions: yet, but, however

Use strong language

When writing an opinion essay, it is important to use strong and descriptive language. You can’t sit on the fence for this one, so you need to use vivid language to show your side of the opinion. For example:

Weak: He went to school.

Strong : He ran hurriedly to school.

Weak: Without water , the plants would die.

Strong: Without life-saving water , the plants would shrivel up and die.

Think of it as painting a picture with your words. You want the reader to be able to picture what you are talking about and understand why you feel so strongly about the topic.

Be specific

When possible, it’s better to be specific than general. For example, if you are writing about how it is important to get involved in extra-curricular activities , be very specific. Saying “Join a club” is generic, but if you say “Join the Chess Club” or “Join the Fishing Club,” your reader will be able to picture what you are talking about.

Use vocabulary correctly

Use the right word for the job and write as an educated person. For example, you wouldn’t include a sentence like, “OMG, that experiment totally rocked” in a formal essay. Writing with an educated voice adds to your credibility, which strengthens your opinion.

Also, avoid the thesaurus trap, where you just plug in words and choose any random synonym. Use vocabulary you already know, especially since this is your opinion, but make it as clear and specific as possible.

Write a gripping conclusion

Keeping the reader focused on your topic until the very end of the paper is important. Writing a focused conclusion paragraph will do just that. Just like in a strong introduction paragraph, there are three major parts, only this time they are reversed.

• Rewrite the thesis statement in different words, but keep the original meaning intact. This will help remind your audience what your opinion was and why it is important.
• Clarify the three main points of your paper as evidenced by the three body paragraphs you used. Just remember not to be too repetitive.
• Dive a little deeper as you conclude, in order to answer the question, “So what?” Why is this topic important? Why is your opinion valuable? This is also a good time to link back to your introduction paragraph. This is called framework and is a great organizational technique.

When revising your opinion essay, you need to focus on the big picture. Analyze the thesis and the paragraphs to do this.

• Look at your thesis in both the introduction and conclusion paragraphs to make sure they show what the paper is proving.
• Consider the order of the body paragraphs. Does the order make sense or could the paragraphs be rearranged to build importance?
• Are there any points or information that are missing but could be added to strengthen your argument?
• Are there any points or information included that weaken your argument and should be revised or edited?

The choice is yours, but double checking the scope of the paragraphs will make sure your writing is holistically organized and makes sense to the reader.

Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.

Edit, Polish, Consult an Expert

Editing and polishing a paper include looking at the picky little pieces. Even though you are probably tired by now and tempted to turn it in as-is, this step is important so that your work can be published.

• Double check spelling and grammar . Even if you run your paper through an automatic check, there are usually words or typos that could be missed.
• Check the flow of your paper . Make sure you have used transitional words to link your ideas.
• Think of varying your sentence structures. This helps reduce redundancy and helps make the paper more readable. Start some sentences with a subject/verb and others with phrases or clauses.
• Get an outside review of your paper . After you have completed your paper, consulting with an expert can help ensure further success. Using a tool like Chegg Writing is a great way to polish your piece and help you develop the best possible draft.

Example Opinion Essay

If you would like the downloadable version, open this opinion essay example .

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Writing an Opinion Essay

• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

At any point, you may find yourself having to  write an essay  that is based on your personal opinion about a  controversial topic . Depending on your objective, your composition could be any length—a short  letter to the editor , a medium-sized  speech , or even a long  research paper . But every piece should contain some basic steps and elements. This is how to write an opinion essay.

Research Your Topic

To write an effective opinion essay, you have to understand your topic inside and out. Your personal opinion should be informed and fully developed, but it doesn't stop there. Research popular counterclaims as well—in order to truly understand what you are arguing for or against, it is imperative that you understand the opposing side.

Acknowledge Popular Arguments

It is likely that you will be writing about a controversial topic that has been debated before. Look ​at the arguments made in the past and see how they fit in with your own opinion. How is your point of view similar to or different from those articulated by previous debaters? Has something changed between now and the time others were writing about it? If not, what does the lack of change mean?

Consider an opinion essay on the topic of school uniforms:

Against Uniforms: “A common complaint among students is that uniforms restrict their rights to freedom of expression."

For Uniforms: “While some students feel that uniforms hinder self-expression, others believe that they ease the pressure to uphold certain standards of appearance by their peers.”

Use a Transition Statement

In an opinion paper, transition statements show how your individual opinion adds to the already-made arguments; they can also suggest that those previous statements are incomplete or faulty. Follow up with a statement that expresses your opinion:

Against Uniforms: "While I agree that the regulations do hamper my ability to express my individualism, I think the economic burden that uniforms bring about is a bigger concern."

For Uniforms: “There's concern about the financial pressure that requiring uniforms could bring about, but the administration has developed a program for students needing assistance.”

Watch Your Tone

"Many students come from low-income families, and they simply don't have the resources to buy new clothing to suit the headmaster's fashion whims."

This statement contains a sour note. You may be passionate about your opinion, but sarcastic, derisive language only weakens your argument by making you sound unprofessional. This says enough:

"Many students come from low-income families, and they simply don't have the resources to buy so much new clothing."

Use Supporting Evidence to Validate Your Position

Although the essay is about your opinion, you have to back up your claims—factual statements will always be more impactful than pure opinion or vague comments. As you research your topic, look for information that will act as sound evidence for why your position is "right." Then, sprinkle factoids throughout your opinion paper to reinforce your point of view.

Your supporting statements should match the type of composition you're writing, e.g. general observations for a letter to the editor and  credible statistics for a research paper . Anecdotes from individuals involved in the issue can also provide a human aspect to your argument.

Against Uniforms: "The recent increase in fees has already led to a decrease in enrollment."

For Uniforms: "Some of my friends are excited by the prospect of uniforms because they won't have to worry about choosing an outfit every morning."

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How to Write a Convincing Opinion Essay

• DESCRIPTION Teenage boy writing an opinion essay
• SOURCE Motortion / iStock / Getty Images Plus

One essential skill for writers of any age is learning how to write an opinion essay that shows you know how to back up your opinions with evidence. Whether you’re in 5th grade, middle school, or high school, being able to write a well-organized opinion essay will help you score a great grade and get your point across about important topics.

1. Start With an Awesome Opinion Essay Topic

The first step in writing an opinion essay is to choose a topic you really care about. Pick a topic about which you naturally have an opinion. It should also be something you can research easily.

If you can’t think of an idea right away, try one of these great opinion essay topics:

• Is it morally wrong to use animals for medical testing?
• Is distance education better or worse than regular school?
• Should public schools be open all year round?
• Is it better to be a vegetarian than it is to eat meat?
• Should people have to pay to go to the doctor?
• What kind of animal makes the best pet?
• Should parents be responsible for the consequences of their kids’ behavior?
• What factors cause too much stress for students?
• Who is the best musical performer or band?
• Does homework help kids learn?

2. Use Opinion Essay Phrases to Write Your Opinion

Once you have a great topic, you can write your opinion as a sentence. This sentence will become the thesis statement for your opinionated paper. Your thesis statement is the main idea of your essay. In an opinion paper, this statement will be your view on the topic.

There are certain opinion essay phrases you can use to make writing this statement easier. Try starting with one of these:

• “I believe….”
• “I think….”
• “The best….”
• “The worst….”
• “My favorite….”
• “In my opinion….”

3. Come Up With Supporting Details

You know what your opinion is, and now it’s time to support it. Saying what you think is important, but the point of an opinion essay is to show that you know how to give supporting details to make your opinion more convincing.

For example, imagine your opinion or thesis statement is, “I believe it is better to be a vegetarian than a person who eats meat.” You might choose supporting details like these:

• Eating meat is bad for the planet because it creates more greenhouse gases to feed animals than it does to simply eat plants.
• Eating meat is inhumane because it requires that animals be raised and killed for their meat.
• Eating a vegetarian diet fulfills all the nutritional needs people have.

After you have some supporting details, you may need to find some evidence to support them. Look for journal articles and other good sources to show that your supporting details are true.

4. Make an Opinion Essay Outline

Now that you know the main idea for your opinion essay, you can write an outline. An outline is a plan for what your essay will include. You can make it very detailed or keep it simple, but either way, there are a lot of reasons an outline makes your essay better . It helps you stay on topic and makes it easier for the reader to follow your thinking. It also helps you put your ideas in order.

Here’s a basic sample opinion essay outline for you to use:

• Introduction : Get the reader’s attention and state your opinion.
• Body : In about three paragraphs, give the supporting details for your opinion and the evidence you have found to back them up.
• Conclusion : Summarize your opinion.

5. Write a Great Opinion Essay Introduction

Your introduction is one of the most important parts of your essay. It needs to capture your reader’s attention right away using a hook . Here are some ideas to help you write a hook for an opinion essay:

• Give a surprising statistic that matches your opinion. For example, you might start an essay about being a vegetarian with the fact that there are 375 million vegetarians worldwide .
• Ask the reader a question that leads into your opinion. For instance, if you’re writing about being a vegetarian, you might ask the reader about the last time he or she ate a meal that was entirely plant-based.
• Tell an anecdote that relates to your opinion. For example, in an essay about vegetarianism, you might share about a time you visited a farm and interacted with the animals.

Your introduction should start with the hook, but it also needs to include your thesis statement. You can write it word-for-word or paraphrase it to make it different. Either way, this part is essential because it clearly tells the reader the topic of your essay.

6. Write the Body of Your Opinion Paper

The body of your opinion essay is made up of your supporting details. Each detail gets its own body paragraph. At the beginning of each paragraph, state how the detail is connected to your opinion. Then talk about the evidence that supports that detail.

For example, in an opinionated paper about vegetarianism, you might include the supporting detail that eating meat creates more greenhouse gases. You would then include a source as evidence to support your claim.

One reason a vegetarian diet is better than eating meat is that it is better for the planet. According to the University of Michigan , a vegetarian diet is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Per calorie, meat is much worse for the planet, since animals require many plant-based calories to grow. If people simply eat these calories in plant form, they can eliminate much of the food-based carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change.

7. Create a Strong Conclusion

End your essay with a strong conclusion . Your conclusion should relate back to your introduction. If you used an anecdote, talk about that again. If you quoted a statistic, mention that statistic here in a new way. If you asked the reader a question, refer back to it in the conclusion.

You should also clearly state your opinion again. Don’t use the same words you did in the introduction, but do say the same ideas. This sums things up for your reader and helps make your point clear.

More Tips for a Convincing Opinion Essay

Throughout the process of writing an opinion essay, keep these tips in mind.

Pay Attention to Transitions

Use transition words to help make the connection between your supporting details and your opinion. This also helps your essay flow nicely. Some of the transition words and phrases you might use in your opinion essay include the following:

• “For these reasons….”
• “Consequently….”
• “Furthermore….”
• “In addition….”

Stay on Topic

It’s easy to ramble when writing an essay, but staying on topic makes your opinion more powerful. Stick to your outline. If you don’t deviate from the plan you set when writing it, your essay will be on topic.

Use Formal Language

Keep the tone formal. Avoid slang and informal language as much as possible. Reduce the number of contractions you use and try to choose words that have a more formal feeling.

Consider Avoiding First Person Pronouns

Consider writing without using first person pronouns . Knowing how to write an opinion essay without using “I” can help you create a more convincing argument. To do this, simply eliminate the first person part of your opinion statement.

Example with first person pronoun: “I believe it is better to be a vegetarian than a person who eats meat.” Example without first person pronoun: “It is better to be a vegetarian than a person who eats meat.”

Ask a Friend to Read Your Work

Before you turn in your essay, ask a friend or family member to look it over for you. Have them read the entire thing and note any places that are unclear or that feel weak. Then take some time to revise your essay to make it the best it can be.

An Essay That Makes You Proud

If you start with a strong opinion, it’s easy to learn how to write an essay based on that opinion. You’ll find that it’s natural to support your beliefs, and the essay will flow well. As long as you stay on topic, you’ll end up with an essay that makes you proud.

How to Write an Opinion Essay: Express Your Opinion Correctly

Every human has their own point of view. Some of them can easily express personal opinions, while others prefer to keep it down. It is important to know how to express your point of view correctly, so it will be understandable for the reader.

Opinion essay definition

An opinion essay is an academic paper that presents a personal point of view on a particular subject or event. A good opinion essay should clearly state the writer’s point of view and be based on evidence. An opinion essay is usually assigned to help students learn how to express their point of view on a particular topic. An opinion essay can be presented in the following ways: as an essay, review, poster, PowerPoint presentation, and more. Just do it yourself not to get caught by an AI detector .

How to write an opinion essay

Typically, opinion essay writing technique follows the basic rules of essay writing. It will consist of three main parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion. The number of paragraphs will depend on your assignment or the number of viewpoints you wish to consider in your paper. In this guide prepared by our paper writing service we will tell you how to write a basic five-paragraph opinion essay.

1. Start with brainstorming about the topic . If you were given a chance to choose a topic on your own, then you will need to pick an interesting topic first. Think what side you will choose: for or against. Then use a simple brainstorming technique: start writing everything you know about the topic. Don’t think about the grammar or text structure, just write until you feel that you are empty of ideas. Touch such points as your future audience and the main points that you want to express in your paper.

2. Analyze the information that you received after the brainstorming session and try to eliminate the main points. Think what ideas can be composed in one paragraph and what order will be more applicable to your case. Here, you can see what a classical five-paragraph opinion essay looks like. As an example, we have chosen the following topic: “Watching YouTube has a positive influence on a child’s development.”

Paragraph 1. Introduction (here you need to state that watching YouTube is great for a child’s development, as the world is constantly developing). Paragraph 2. Express your first reason and arguments for it (e.g. learning from educational channels). Paragraph 3. Express your second reason and arguments for it (e.g. source of entertainment). Paragraph 4. Express your third reason and arguments for it (e.g. source of interaction between parent and child). Paragraph 5. Conclusion (restate your opinion on the topic and sum up your thoughts).

Also, you can consider a limitation of your point of view. For the example from above, you can state that to avoid possible problems with children using YouTube, a parent can control the content and set time limitations for the child.

3. When all previous points are done, you are ready to start writing the introduction. Introduce the subject to the reader, state your opinion in the thesis statement, and list the reasons for your point of view.

Follow the outline and write the body paragraphs. Dedicate one paragraph for each reason and support each with evidence. Think what arguments will be best to prove your viewpoint and convince the reader. To make your arguments more effective, try to use such tools as comparing and contrasting, analogies, causes and effects, etc.

In conclusion, restate your opinion you have written in the thesis statement at the very beginning. Sum up your viewpoints and express them briefly in other words. If you want to make your ending more impressive, you can add a quotation, an open or provocative question, warn the reader, or tell about possible consequences/results.

4. When your text will be completed, don’t forget to proofread it. Make sure that your entire text sticks to the thesis statement. Did you state your opinion clearly? Have you stated strong arguments and facts for your point of view? Have you supported each reason with evidence? Evaluate the text layout and the quality of content – look whether the text is logical and each point is fully described. Revise grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation. Then, check whether the text follows the right format and style.

Opinion essay: how to write it right

To organize a good opinion essay on a particular topic, it is important to consider the following points before you start to write:

• Be strong and confident. You are expressing your point of view and what you really think about the subject.
• Consider your audience when writing. To make your text more persuasive, you need to talk directly to the reader. Think what opinion words and transitions to choose, how to hook the audience, and what evidence will be more powerful.
• Use a formal style, as you are writing an academic paper. Avoid using emotive vocabulary, idioms, and contractions.
• Don’t make excuses for your point of view. You are learning to come up with your point of view and become more confident in your thoughts.
• List all reasons and supporting evidence. It will be easier to choose the most interesting points for your paper.
• Use expressions to state your opinion. There are many phrases that structure your text and get the reader’s attention: “I am convinced that,” “in my opinion,” “I believe,” “I think that,” “according to experts,” “in conclusion,” etc.
• Refer your evidence to supporting facts and situations. Keep in mind that your personal experience or statistics without proper reference is not evidence.
• Use opening sentences and linking phrases to connect each viewpoint in your paper.

How to write opinion essay example

To show you what a finished opinion essay looks like, we will share an opinion essay about women in sports. Look how the author presents their own point of view and adds arguments to prove an opinion. You can use this sample as a template for your own essay or consider the structure while writing.

Opinion Essay: Women In Sport

It has been a difficult path for women to gain equality in sports. For many decades it has been a battle for women to prove they should have the same rights and opportunities as men. The situation started changing in the past century, when numerous movements and organizations started sharing promotion all around the world supporting the rights of women in sports and many different areas. Today, the world has progressed to the point where both women and men have the same rights in sports. Nowadays, women participate in such popular sporting events as the Olympic Games and Women’s Soccer World Cup. It is proof that women are strong and independent parts of society who have gone through many complications to become as famous and talented sportswomen as they are today.

It has been a complicated path for women to have the same possibilities in sports as men. This situation started changing only in the past century. World War II was the first step for women to prove their equality not only in sports but also in many others areas, including the domestic front. In the 1950s and 1960s, in the Civil Rights Movement it was a huge difficulty for women to speak up loudly for their rights (Bell). Also, many sport athletic organizations were created to support women during that period. The result of these events was Title IX, which banned all forms of sex-based discrimination in education programs. This law had started a new era for women in sports, because there were no more limits for women who wanted to reach goals in a sport career. Many famous sportswomen have become known, including Serena Williams, Danica Patrick, Ronda Rousey, Hope Solo, and Lindsey Vonn (Bell). Since the end of the twentieth century, limits for women in sports have dissolved, but the media coverage is still mainly focused on men even though, for example, “in America forty percent of sportspeople are women, but only six-eight percent of the total sports media coverage is devoted to them” (Bell). For every fifty-three articles written about men in sports, there is one about women. It shows that even though women have finally reached their goal of being on the same level in the sport as men, there is still a long way to go for what has to be done.

Women have always felt the huge pressure of discrimination against them in different areas of life, including sports. This problem has not been solved yet. Women still have to deal with a lot of negative opinions about their participation in sports. There are many famous people who think that women are not allowed to be sportswomen. For example, the world’s number one men’s tennis player, Novak Djokovic, felt free to say that men should be better paid than women just because they are more popular. Also, a British track cyclist once was told to quit her career and start taking care of her family and have children (“Sexism in Sport”). Also, there is a law in Iran that does not let women visit stadiums for the events. If the police find a woman there, she will immediately be arrested. There are many events that prove women still have a lot of pressure from the entire world every day.

Cheerleading also turns out to be the area of sports where women feel the pressure of discrimination. It happens very often that women who participate in cheerleading become offended. Many people think that being a cheerleader does not deserve any respect and can not be treated as a social group which works hard to show appropriate performance (“Scoring for Gender Equality Through Sport”). This issue needs more media coverage to prove that it is a position that deserves success and respect.

Because of the bad influence, statistics prove women still are not at the same level of participation in sports as men. For example, there is a big gap between the money that women and men earn. The salary cap for “a WNBA team is around $878,000 while the NBA’s is $58 million per team” (“Sexism in Sport”). It shows that the WNBA players do not get paid as well as men even though they do the same work. Because of such a situation, there is no possibility for women to get as much promotion as male teams and individuals get. Statistics show that “women all around the world get only about four percent of all sports media coverage” (“Sexism in Sport”). It leads to the fact that many people do not have the ability to get to know enough information about the contributions of women in sports.

Gender discrimination is one of the main things that should be changed. In the 21st century, it is time to look forward and understand that both genders deserve to express themselves in all areas of life. If any time soon the trend of discriminating against females in sports disappears, it will give women the possibilities to be at the same professional level as men.

Nowadays, children should be raised with an understanding that there is no difference in ability between men and women in any area of life. Many people have heard such a phrase as “you play like a girl” (“Scoring for Gender Equality Through Sport”). This phrase shows the sexism that many women deal with. It is difficult to understand what it should mean because both men and women have the power to become qualified professionals in sports. Avoiding such phrases in childhood and teaching children that women and men have the same rights and possibilities is one of the ways to start avoiding this issue in the future.

There is a difference of weight, body size, speed, and strength for males and females, but it does not mean there is any area of sport where women and men are unable to compete. For example, such kinds of sports as bowling, darts, and billiards do not need physical strength (“Sexism in Sport”). It is an excellent way for men and women to compete and find out who can become champions.

Also, men have advantages over women, but there are some sports where women express themselves better than men. For example, “women are better than men in tennis, golf, boxing and ice hockey” (“Scoring for Gender Equality Through Sport”). Michelle Wie, Margaret McGregor, Manon Rheaume, and Margaret Court are the women who prove to the world that men are not always the champions when it comes to competition between genders (“Sexism in Sport”). Such kinds of sports prove that it is possible to create a competition where men and women have the same rights and power to participate.

The current situation of women in sports shows that females have gotten more rights and recognition than they used to have. There are many famous sportswomen who have made a huge influence on women in sports today. The main factor that has a negative impact on women today is gender discrimination, which should be abolished. No matter what statistics show compared to a few decades ago, there has been huge progress in letting women express themselves in different areas of sport. It is important to show the world that discrimination does not have a right to influence people. There are many kinds of sports where both genders have the same chances and rights to win, including bowling, tennis, and golf. Society needs more media promotion of the topic of women in sports because the lack of awareness of female achievements can have a negative effect on people who still do not consider women as able to fully participate in sports. If the trend of female recognition in sports keeps rising, the future will show that both genders deserve to play equal parts of the sport.

Works Cited

Bell, Richard C. “A History of Women in Sport Prior to Title IX.” The Sport Journal, United States Sports Academy, 12 Oct. 2016, http://thesportjournal.org/article/a-history-of-women-in-sport-prior-to-title-ix/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2018. “Scoring for Gender Equality Through Sport.” UN Women , http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/women-and-sport. Accessed 31 Aug. 2018. “Sexism in Sport.” Women in Sport, https://www.womeninsport.org/about-us/sexism-in-sport/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2018.

Learn to express your own opinion

To be able to express your opinion clearly in written and oral form, you need to practice.

• Read. Reading will help you formulate your own thoughts. Choose classical literature using active reading. Analyze the material you have read. Also, reading aloud will help you strengthen your voice and harden your vocal chords.
• Expand your vocabulary. If you want to deliver your thoughts effectively, you need to choose the right words. Expand your vocabulary with new words.
• Start a diary. It’s a universal tool to improve your thinking skills. Start writing about your everyday routine and proceed to discuss your thoughts about a particular event or topic.
• Learn to use the right arguments for your point of view. The best way to prove your point of view is to support it with objective facts and expert opinions.
• Talk to people. Start conversations on various topics and don’t be afraid to start a discussion on controversial topics. This will help you form your thoughts clearly. Debate, argue, criticize, explain, defend – try to use it in practice. If you are afraid of live talk, start practicing over the internet.
• When expressing your point of view, concentrate on one single thought that you want to convey. Avoid empty rhetoric and try not to lose the focus on the topic.

Knowing how to express your opinion will help you in your studies, work, and daily life. It plays a great role during conversations between friends, co-workers, or business partners. Misunderstandings among people arise from the inability to correctly formulate thoughts. Hopefully, our guide will help you write a marvelous opinion essay. Don’t be shy and show your opinion!

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Writing an opinion essay – Tips, structure, examples, exercises

Check the ‘explanation’ tab above before doing these exercises. choose the correct option for each gap., are top sports players paid too much.

1 Firstly To sum up Nowadays In my opinion In addition Secondly , top sportspeople, such as football players or basketball players have huge salaries, and this promotes a lot of debate. But do they earn too much? 2 Nowadays In addition Secondly In my opinion To sum up Firstly , their salaries are fair.

3 Firstly Secondly In addition In my opinion To sum up Nowadays , the career of a professional sports player is short – they usually retire when they are in their thirties. 4 To sum up In addition Firstly Nowadays In my opinion , many of them have to retire earlier because they get injured and have to stop playing.

5 I believe Firstly Secondly To sum up Nowadays , sports stars are celebrities, and all celebrities lose their privacy. Journalists, paparazzi and fans follow them everywhere, and they want to get pictures or talk to them all the time. 6 Nowadays Moreover I believe Secondly To sum up Firstly , now anyone can take photos with their mobile phone and publish them at any moment on their social media accounts.

7 To sum up Moreover Nowadays I believe Secondly Firstly , 8 To sum up Moreover Secondly Nowadays I believe Firstly top professional sports players have the salaries they deserve because their careers are much shorter and because during those years, their personal lives are affected by their popularity.

Writing an opinion essay

When you write an opinion essay, you must say what you think about a topic and try to convince the reader of your point of view on that topic. To do that, you should first introduce the topic and state your opinion. Then, you should give three reasons that support your view, and finally, you should write a conclusion where you summarise your arguments and repeat your opinion using different words.  

Plan your ideas

The first thing you need to do is decide whether you agree with the question or statement and then make a list of two or three reasons that support your opinion, including some facts and/or examples. Here is an example:

Opinion: I disagree.

• Fact 1:  their careers usually end in their 30’s.
• Fact 2: sometimes, they are even shorter because of injuries.
• Fact 1: Constantly followed by journalists and fans.
• Fact 2: Now, everyone uses their phones to take photos and publish them.

Organise your text

An opinion essay has three parts:

• Introduction
• Arguments or reasons that support your view.

Introduction. Paragraph 1

Introduce the topic and give your opinion. Say whether you agree or disagree with the statement or question. It can be a good idea to use a question to grab the reader’s attention. Check the two examples below:

Nowadays, top sportspeople, such as football players or basketball players, have huge salaries, and this promotes a lot of debate. However,   I don’t think they earn too much. In my opinion, their salaries are fair.

How often have you heard a friend or a colleague complain about the excessive salaries of professional sports players? But do they really earn too much? I don’t think they earn too much. I truly believe  their salaries are fair. 

Arguments. Paragraph 2

Give the first argument to support your opinion. Include at least two facts or examples to show that your reason makes sense. Check this example:

Firstly, Despite all the money professional sports players earn every year, they work for only a few years – they usually retire when they are in their thirties. In addition, many of them have to retire earlier because they get injured and have to stop playing.

Arguments. Paragraph 3

Give more reasons and again provide examples, facts or supporting ideas. For example:

Secondly, sports stars are celebrities, and all celebrities lose their privacy. Journalists, paparazzi and fans follow them everywhere, and they want to get pictures or talk to them all the time. Moreover, now anyone can take photos with their mobile phone and publish them at any moment on their social media accounts.

Conclusion. Paragraph 4

Summarise your ideas and repeat your opinion.

To sum up, I believe top professional sports players have the salaries they deserve because their careers are short and because during those years, their personal lives are affected by their popularity.

Useful language

Sequencing your text.

Use connectors to sequence and structure your ideas:

• Firstly/First of all, …
• Secondly/Thirdly, …
• Finally, …

Adding more points or ideas

Use connectors to introduce additional ideas:

• In addition, …
• Moreover, …

Giving your opinion

Expressions you can use to say what you think:

• In my opinion, …
• In my view, …
• I think/feel that …
• I (truly) believe that …
• I am convinced that …
• I agree that …
• I disagree with/about …

Introducing examples

Use connectors to introduce examples:

• For example, …
• For instance, …

Expressing contrast, purpose and reason

You may also need or want to use some connectors of contrast, purpose and reason .

• Contrast: although, however, despite, etc.
• Purpose: to, in order to, so that, etc.
• Reason: because (of), since, due to, etc.

Introducing your conclusion

Use connectors to introduce the conclusion:

• In conclusion, …
• To sum up, …

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How to Write an Opinion Essay: Examples, Structure, & Tips

An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing which presents the author’s point of view on a particular subject supported by reasoning and examples . The opposing viewpoint is also suggested, but it is followed by arguments that show its inconsistency. Take a look at the guide prepared by Custom-writing experts to learn how to write a perfect opinion essay!

• 🔤 Opinion Essay Basics
• 📑 Essay Structure

🖊️ Opinion Essay Format

• 💬 How to Start an Opinion Essay
• ✅ Dos and Don’ts

👌 Opinion Essay Examples

• 💡 Essay Tips

🏁 Concluding Remarks

🔗 references, 🔤 writing an opinion essay: basics.

You may be wondering: How do I write an opinion essay? How is it different from a persuasive, an argumentative, or a pros and cons essay ?

It’s simple: When you write an argumentative or persuasive essay , you should provide counterpoints and describe the essay topic from different perspectives. In an opinion paper, you don’t have to focus on the advantages and disadvantages in comparison. Instead, focus only on your opinion about the issue .

What Is an Opinion Essay?

An opinion essay, sometimes called “argumentative” or “persuasive,” presents the author’s perception of a subject and supporting arguments. It is written in a standard essay format. In such essays, authors usually try to persuade readers that their opinion is correct.

You may say: “I’m afraid to take a stand,” or “I don’t know what to say.” Relax. There’s nothing to worry about if your arguments are based on well-researched data. Speaking about opinion essay topics, some students find it difficult enough to choose the perfect one. But it’s not so hard: Think about something that engages you and that you feel strongly about.

Do you still have no clues about what to write? Check our 100 free ideas for an argumentative or persuasive essay and choose the topic that you have a strong opinion on. Then pick up a few reasons supporting your point of view and gather the facts that you’ll use as evidence.

📑 Opinion Essay Structure

The next step is to write an opinion essay outline . First of all, it will help you to overcome the fear of the blank page. Second, you’ll have a broken-down list of ideas and an organized place for your random thoughts. This will help you write an assignment faster.

Here’s an example of an opinion paper outline:

• An introduction . Write a thesis statement and the reasons that support your opinion. Give your readers a hook to engage them with the topic
• The main body . Break it into several paragraphs where you provide arguments and supporting examples, statements, and facts.
• A conclusion . When ending a paper, restate the main thesis and summarize the central points of the essay.

Develop an outline while you’re researching the topic and place the pieces of evidence where they make the most sense. You don’t have to write the whole assignment at a time. Just put stand-alone examples and facts in the places where they should go.

A well-prepared outline for an opinion essay is almost 70 percent of the work. All you’ll need to do is simply join your arguments by bridging the language.

Now that you’re familiar with the basic opinion essay structure, let’s see how exactly you should format each part of your paper.

Opinion Essay Introduction

Start your writing with a hook sentence that grabs the reader’s interest. You can use a surprising fact, a provocative question, or a relevant quote as a hook.

Have you ever stopped to consider the impact that social media has on our lives and society as a whole?

Then, provide background information and a thesis statement. It should present your opinion on the topic and the main arguments that support your point of view.

The rise of social media platforms has had detrimental effects on teenagers’ mental health due to increased feelings of loneliness, heightened levels of anxiety, and the negative impact on self-esteem.

Opinion Essay Body

In the body paragraphs, you need to explain your arguments and provide evidence to support them. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence that introduces the point you are discussing.

The constant exposure to idealized and unrealistic images on social media platforms can contribute to insecurities and anxiety among teenagers, affecting their mental well-being.

Then, provide specific examples, facts, or statistics to support your reason. You may also include personal experiences or anecdotes to make your points more convincing.

According to The Mental Health Foundation’s survey in 2019, four in ten teenagers (40%) admitted that posts on social media had caused them to worry about body image. This statistic highlights the concerning impact of social media on teenagers’ mental well-being.

Opinion Essay Conclusion

The last paragraph of your opinion essay is the conclusion. Here, you restate your thesis and summarize the main points from the body paragraphs.

Social media platforms have negatively impacted teenagers’ mental well-being through the feelings of isolation, increased depression levels, and detrimental effects on the body image.

• Finally, you should end with a strong and memorable closing statement or a call to action. This will help you leave a lasting impression on the reader.

If all people work together raising awareness and advocating for change, we will eventually build a healthier online environment.

Opinion Essay Format

Correct formattion is another essential aspect of essay writing. Here are helpful guidelines you can use:

• Stick to a readable 12-point font, such as Times New Roman or Arial.
• Set 1-inch margins on all sides of the document.
• Double-space the entire essay, including the title and headings.
• Properly cite any sources used in your essay according to your required citation style (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.)

If you are unsure about any specific formatting requirements for your opinion essay, we recommend consulting your school’s writing guidelines or asking your professor for clarification.

💬 How to Start an Opinion Essay – 30 Ideas

When it comes to opinion writing, a lot of students can’t explain their point of view. This shows a lack of critical thinking skills and leads to low grades. Even the perfect opinion essay format won’t save the situation in this case.

If you need a quick fix for your assignment, check our list of transition words and phrases to help you start putting your opinions:

• As far as I am concerned, …
• I am (not) convinced that …
• In my opinion/view …
• My opinion is that …
• I (firmly)believe that …
• I (definitely) feel/think that …
• I am inclined to believe that …
• Personally, I believe that…
• It is clear that…
• It seems to me that…
• In my mind…
• As I see it…
• My principal reason is…
• Another reason is…
• It is widely known that…
• It could be argued that…
• The well-known fact is…
• Research has shown that…
• For instance/for example…
• This suggests that…
• It would seem that…
• This proves that…
• This supports the …
• Even though / Although…
• In contrast…
• Despite the fact that…
• In spite of…
• In order to…
• In conclusion…

And don’t forget to use nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, or make your own phrases.

✅ Opinion Essay Rules

Writing an opinion essay may seem challenging, but if you keep the following dos and don’ts in mind, you will easily craft a compelling and well-structured essay. Check out the opinion essay rules we’ve collected for you below.

Opinion Essay Dos

• Use formal style. When writing an opinion essay, you should use a formal style, avoiding slang and colloquial language. It means using proper grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary suitable for an academic setting.
• Choose a side on the issue. You should take a clear stance on a particular topic in your essay. For instance, if the prompt is “Should school uniforms be mandatory?” you would need to choose whether you are for or against the idea and prove your position.
• Arrange your supporting points in emphatic order. Start with the weakest argument and end with the strongest. It will help to persuade the reader and leave a lasting impression.
• Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence . This way, your readers will understand the point you are trying to make from the very beginning.
• Provide support for your arguments. It is essential to back up your opinions with evidence, examples, and reasoning. You can include statistics, research findings, or expert opinions.
• Stay on topic. It is crucial to remain focused on the main issue or question throughout your paper. Be careful not to go off on a tangent or discuss irrelevant topics that do not directly support your argument.
• Use a diplomatic and professional tone. It means avoiding personal attacks, derogatory language, or overly emotional statements. Instead, present your ideas and respond to opposing viewpoints calmly and respectfully.

Opinion Essay Don’ts

• Don’t use informal language. Avoid using colloquial expressions, slang, jargon, or contractions. Instead, use formal language and non-abbreviated word forms.
• Don’t use emotive vocabulary. Emotive vocabulary includes words that provoke strong emotions or bias, such as “amazing,” “horrible,” or “disgusting.” In an opinion essay, it’s essential to use neutral language.
• Don’t overgeneralize. Avoid making broad statements that assume something is true for everyone or everything. Instead, be specific.
• Don’t use sources without proper referencing. When including information from other sources in your opinion essay, it’s crucial to provide appropriate citations and references. This way, you’ll show that you have done a thorough research and give credit to the original author.
• Don’t rely on personal examples. While personal anecdotes can sometimes strengthen an argument, it’s important not to rely solely on them. Instead, try to use different types of evidence, including statistics, expert opinions, and studies.
• Don’t address your readers. Directly addressing the reader by using “you” is considered informal and should be avoided in an opinion essay. Instead, it’s better to present the arguments and evidence without involving the reader directly.

Do you want to better understand what an opinion essay is? You are welcome to use our opinion essay examples! Reading them will help you gain an insight into this form of academic writing.

Opinion Essay Example #1

The USA is a multinational and multicultural country that is advanced in many areas, including healthcare, medicine, and science in general. However, some of the experiments, such as the syphilis studies discussed in this paper, show that the country is still in the process of overcoming intolerance, racial segregation, and social inequality. Talking about these studies aloud brings the question of research ethics to the forefront. In particular, people who participated in those scientific experiments were misled and misinformed about their health. The research group observed how the participants suffered from the disease’s symptoms until death (Brandt, 24). There are a number of diseases and conditions that have not been researched enough. The experience gained during the studies in Tuskegee and Guatemala should be used to eliminate the possibility of unethical conduct and ensure transparency in all the activities.

Opinion Essay Example #2

To confront cyberbullying effectively, it is vital to know how to identify what it is and spread this awareness among the children who may unwarily become participants. The tendency to raise this issue in the scientific and public spheres has positive dynamics. As there is legal protection for cyberbullying victims in the USA, it is vital to detect harassment cases. For this purpose, parents and teachers should cooperate to create trustworthy relationships so the child can ask for help from adults. That is why a high level of emotional support from parents and peers is necessary to combat bullying before it has occurred.

Opinion Essay Topics

• Your personal view on money and expenditures.
• Analyze your attitude towards obesity as a public health problem.
• Give your opinion on the importance of container deposit legislation.
• What do you think of different belief systems? 
• Discuss your point of view on The Scream by Edvard Munch.
• Describe your opinion on the climate change issue.
• What do you think of the media’s influence on people’s views ?
• Your opinion on the film Argo directed by Affleck .
• Express your opinion on diets and weight loss programs.
• Analyze the impact of war on society and present your opinion.
• Present your opinion on the question of gay marriage.  
• Describe your attitude towards gender stereotypes.
• Do you support the Biblical point of view on divorce?  
• Explain what you think about racism in employment.
• Discuss your attitude to photography. 
• Describe what love is, in your opinion.  
• Give your opinion on genetic engineering.
• Analyze the necessity of vaccination for public school students and present your opinion.
• Express your views on the death penalty.
• Discuss your views on aging changes .
• Do you like the music of a Classical Era?
• Is it ethical to use animals in research, in your opinion?
• Do you think the government should increase the minimum wage?
• Explain whether you agree that soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world.
• Do you think the Internet plays an important role in your life?
• Describe your point of view on the controversial topic of human cloning .
• Present your opinion on tattoos as a form of art.  
• What does the ideal social meeting place look like?
• How do you think bullies should be punished?
• Do you support the opinion that celebrities should be positive role models ?
• Is remote work more convenient than working in an office?  
• Describe your attitude towards social networks .
• What is justice, in your opinion?  
• Give your opinion on American football.  
• What do you think about classical music? 
• Is the government monitoring its citizens justified by safety concerns?  
• Explain what you think about steroid use in competitive sports.
• Discuss the necessity to ban violent computer games .
• Your personal opinion on using cell phones while driving.  
• Do you think the government should interfere with the contents of TV shows ?
• Express your opinion on net neutrality.  
• Describe your views on online dating.  
• Is protectionism necessary for saving a country’s economy? 
• What do you think of a vegan lifestyle?
• Present your attitude towards physician-assisted suicide.
• Do you support the opinion that college athletes should be paid ?
• Your point of view on cigarette smoking and suggestion to ban it.
• Explain whether you think that public colleges and universities should be tuition-free.
• How do you understand responsibility?
• Express your opinion on canceling grades at schools .

💡 Opinion Essay Tips for an A+ Paper

Want to make your essay truly outstanding? Follow the pro tips below:

• Read the question carefully. Take time to fully understand what you are asked to write about. It will help you stay on topic and ensure your essay addresses it effectively.
• Plan your ideas before you start writing. Before beginning the writing process, take time to brainstorm and outline your ideas. Then, evaluate and select the strongest arguments or points to include in your essay.
• Show an understanding of both sides of the argument. Acknowledging different perspectives demonstrates a well-rounded view and can strengthen your position by addressing counterarguments.
• Make use of linking words and phrases. Transitions such as “however,” “in addition,” and “on the other hand” help create a smooth flow between paragraphs and make your essay easier to read. Our transition words generator can assist you with it.
• Don’t introduce any new ideas in the conclusion. In the last paragraph, summarize your main points and restate your thesis without bringing up new information that wasn’t discussed in the body of your essay.

Thank you for reading! Our free tips will help you get through any kind of essay. Still, if you’re stuck with your essay, you can always count on professional writers’ tips and recommendations!

With the help of the tips above, you’ll be able to create the most unbelievable papers in a blink of an eye. Now that you know the secrets of professional writers, try writing your opinion essay!

The final piece of advice : Don’t forget to proofread your paper. Revise your content, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, etc. Make sure that your essay answers the main question. Check if the evidence you provided is accurate and up-to-date.

• Essay Structure | – Harvard College Writing Center
• An opinion essay | Writing – Advanced C1 | British Council
• 5 Tips for Writing an Opinion Essay – ThoughtCo
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Thanks a lot. This was helpful

thank you alot this really helped me

I hope this is gonna help me with my opinion essay

Thanks for the help. Really needed it for my opinion essay due tomorrow. -_-

Thanks for the help keep the good work gentlemen

This was great it really helped out.Thanks.

10 English Phrases to Express Your Opinion in an Essay

This is a guest post by  Sam Pealing.  Make sure to visit his website EnglishForStudy.com for more academic English help!

I admire international students. Seriously.  If you’re a non-native English speaker doing a degree or doctorate in English, then I take my hat off to you.

I get a lot of questions about writing essays, and I’ve taught hundreds of students how to write effective essays (which get good grades).  One of the most common mistakes that I see is a lack of opinion.

Most of the time, students describe a situation, but they don’t give their opinion or stance. This can really damage your grade because lecturers are always looking for ‘critical thinking’. If you don’t give your opinion in your essays, your lecturers can’t see your critical thinking.

To put it simply: If you don’t put your opinion or stance in an essay, then you’ll probably lose marks.

In this article, you’ll learn 10 effective phrases that you can use to give your opinion in your essay.  I’ve also created a free lesson pack which will help you to practice the phrases in this article. CLICK HERE to download it.

Introducing the Phrases

If you’re looking for a quick fix for your essay, these phrases should help you to start putting your own opinions in your essays.

But, before you rush over to your essays to start putting these phrases in, there’s something you need to know.

If you’re writing an academic essay, you will need to support your opinions with strong evidence . This is especially true if you are using some of the stronger phrases.

This evidence can be a journal article, a lecture, a textbook, or something else which is a trustworthy source of information.

In a more informal essay, like one in an IELTS or TOEFL language test, you don’t need to support your answers with strong evidence. Your experiences or opinions will be enough.

Quick note : I know! You’re ready to see the phrases.

This won’t take long and it’s really important.

1. For these phrases to be really effective, you’ll need to review your grammar. Shayna has some great videos on her Espresso English Youtube channel .

I recommend these:

• Subject/Verb agreement
• Formal and Informal English
• Correcting Grammar Mistakes

2. If you want to know the structure of a good essay paragraph, check my post here .

Informal English Phrases

These phrases are suitable for language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. In an academic essay, these phrases will probably be too informal because they are too personal.

“In my opinion, + [your sentence]”

• In my opinion , a good education is more important than a good car.

“I believe that + [your sentence]”

• I believe that schools should encourage students to walk or cycle to school rather than drive.

“In my mind, + [your sentence]”

• “ In my mind , no-one should have to pay for medical care.”

More Formal Academic Phrases With ‘That’

These phrases are more suitable for academic essays. If you are unsure whether you should use an informal phrase or an academic phrase, use an academic one. If you think your writing might be informal, read this post to learn more.

The patterns here are quite straightforward. Just add your sentence after ‘that’.

“It would seem that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you support your opinion with evidence.

• “ It would seem that children learn best when they are feeling comfortable.”

“It could be argued that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you want to challenge an existing opinion.

• “ It could be argued that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in this situation.”

“This suggests that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you don’t want to fully commit to an opinion. You’re giving yourself some distance.

• “ The evidence suggests that people who speak more than one language have more job opportunities.”

“This proves that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you are confident with your opinion. This phrase is quite strong*

• “ This proves that the best way to lose weight is through a controlled diet and a good exercise program.”

“This supports the idea that + [your sentence]”

Use this one when you are supporting an opinion that you have already made.

• “ This new research supports the idea that successful English learners look for opportunities to use English.”

Other Ways to Express Opinion

“although [idea you disagree with], [idea you agree with]”.

Use this when you want make your opinion seem balanced.

• “ Although reports suggest that cigarettes could help people to lose weight, there are too many serious health problems associated with smoking.”

Note: The ‘ although’ pattern is very effective because it shows two sides of the argument. In the example, I support the idea that smoking is bad for your health –BUT- I recognise that it could have some benefits.

Structure your ‘ although’ sentence like this: Although, [weaker argument you disagree with], [stronger argument you agree with].

Using Adverbs, Adjectives and Nouns

You can use adjectives to show your opinion.

• “This research was poorly conducted with a lack of control .”

The adjective and nouns in the example are negative . You can get some good ideas from this video on Extreme Adjectives . Note: try not to use any emotional adjectives .

Make Your Own Phrases!

Of course, these phrases aren’t the only ones that you can use! You can find more – or – you can create your own by combining different patterns.

Here’s an example of #7, #9 and #10 used together.

“Although it is difficult for older adults to learn a second language, an important study by Smith (2014) proved that the elderly can successfully learn new languages.”

What Should You Do Now?

So now you should have a better idea of how to include more opinions in your essays. But that’s not all; there are probably some new words here that you don’t know.

So here’s what you should do:

• Choose three of the opinion expressions and phrases that you want to try.
• Practice writing sentences using them (if you don’t have a topic, try this: should students do homework? You can see examples of this in the lesson pack )
• Get the Lesson Pack for this lesson (which contains the vocabulary and the phrases from this lesson) CLICK HERE to download it .

Learn more:

• Basic English phrases
• Intermediate English phrases
• Advanced English phrases

About Sam Pealing

Sam Pealing is an English language coach who specialises in two important areas: 1. helping you to get great grades at university, and 2. helping you to become an effective and confident English user. If you’re feeling frustrated or confused with English, Sam has created the perfect email course for you! You can join his course here –or- you can read more by him on English For Study .

Get corrections on your written English:

More Espresso English Lessons:

About the author.

Shayna Oliveira

Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.

Get science-backed answers as you write with Paperpal's Research feature

How to Structure an Essay

Essay writing is a fundamental skill, a basic task, that is expected of those who choose to pursue their undergraduate and master’s degrees. It constitutes a key requirement for students to complete a given course credit. However, many students and early career researchers find themselves struggling with the challenge of organizing their thoughts into a coherent, engaging structure. This article is especially for those who see essay writing as a daunting task and face problems in presenting their work in an impactful way.  

Table of Contents

• Writing an essay: basic elements and some key principles  
• Essay structure template 
• Chronological structure 
• Problem-methods-solutions structure 
• Compare and contrast structures 
• Frequently asked questions on essay structure 

Read on as we delve into the basic elements of essay writing, outline key principles for organizing information, and cover some foundational features of writing essays.  

Writing an essay: basic elements and some key principles

Essays are written in a flowing and continuous pattern but with a structure of its own. An introduction, body and conclusion are integral to it. The key is to balance the amount and kind of information to be presented in each part. Various disciplines may have their own conventions or guidelines on the information to be provided in the introduction.  

A clear articulation of the context and background of the study is important, as is the definition of key terms and an outline of specific models or theories used. Readers also need to know the significance of the study and its implications for further research. Most importantly, the thesis or the main proposition should be clearly presented.  

The body of the essay is therefore organized into paragraphs that hold the main ideas and arguments and is presented and analyzed in a logical manner. Ideally, each paragraph of the body focuses on one main point or a distinct topic and must be supported by evidence and analysis. The concluding paragraph should bring back to the reader the key arguments, its significance and food for thought. It is best not to re-state all the points of the essay or introduce a new concept here. 

In other words, certain general guidelines help structure the information in the essay. The information must flow logically with the context or the background information presented in the introductory part of the essay. The arguments are built organically where each paragraph in the body of the essay deals with a different point, yet closely linked to the para preceding and following it. Importantly, when writing essays, early career researchers must be careful in ensuring that each piece of information relates to the main thesis and is a building block to the arguments. 

Essay structure template

• Introduction 
• Provide the context and share significance of the study 
• Clearly articulate the thesis statement 
• Body  
• Paragraph 1 consisting of the first main point, followed by supporting evidence and an analysis of the findings. Transitional words and phrases can be used to move to the next main point. 
• There can be as many paragraphs with the above-mentioned elements as there are points and arguments to support your thesis. 
• Conclusion  
• Bring in key ideas and discuss their significance and relevance 
• Call for action 
• References 

Essay structures

The structure of an essay can be determined by the kind of essay that is required.  

Chronological structure

Also known as the cause-and-effect approach, this is a straightforward way to structure an essay. In such essays, events are discussed sequentially, as they occurred from the earliest to the latest. A chronological structure is useful for discussing a series of events or processes such as historical analyses or narratives of events. The introduction should have the topic sentence. The body of the essay should follow a chorological progression with each para discussing a major aspect of that event with supporting evidence. It ends with a summarizing of the results of the events.  

Problem-methods-solutions structure

Where the essay focuses on a specific problem, the problem-methods-solutions structure can be used to organize the essay. This structure is ideal for essays that address complex issues. It starts with presenting the problem, the context, and thesis statement as introduction to the essay. The major part of the discussion which forms the body of the essay focuses on stating the problem and its significance, the author’s approach or methods adopted to address the problem along with its relevance, and accordingly proposing solution(s) to the identified problem. The concluding part offers a recap of the research problem, methods, and proposed solutions, emphasizing their significance and potential impact. 

Compare and contrast structures

This structure of essay writing is ideally used when two or more key subjects require a comparison of ideas, theories, or phenomena. The three crucial elements, introduction, body, and conclusion, remain the same. The introduction presents the context and the thesis statement. The body of the essay seeks to focus on and highlight differences between the subjects, supported by evidence and analysis. The conclusion is used to summarize the key points of comparison and contrast, offering insights into the significance of the analysis.  

Depending on how the subjects will be discussed, the body of the essay can be organized according to the block method or the alternating method. In the block method, one para discusses one subject and the next para the other subject. In the alternative method, both subjects are discussed in one para based on a particular topic or issue followed by the next para on another issue and so on.  

Frequently asked questions on essay structure

An essay structure serves as a framework for presenting ideas coherently and logically. It comprises three crucial elements: an introduction that communicates the context, topic, and thesis statement; the body focusing on the main points and arguments supported with appropriate evidence followed by its analysis; and a conclusion that ties together the main points and its importance .  

An essay structure well-defined essay structure enhances clarity, coherence, and readability, and is crucial for organizing ideas and arguments to effectively communicate key aspects of a chosen topic. It allows readers to better understand arguments presented and demonstrates the author’s ability to organize and present information systematically. 

Yes, while expert recommend following an essay structure, early career researchers may choose how best to adapt standard essay structures to communicate and share their research in an impactful and engaging way. However, do keep in mind that deviating too far from established structures can hinder comprehension and weaken the overall effectiveness of the essay,  By understanding the basic elements of essay writing and employing appropriate structures such as chronological, problem-methods-solutions, or compare and contrast, researchers can effectively organize their ideas and communicate their findings with clarity and precision. 

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

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Related Reads:

Powerful academic phrases to improve your essay writing .

• How to Paraphrase Research Papers Effectively
• How to Use AI to Enhance Your College Essays and Thesis
• How to Cite Social Media Sources in Academic Writing? 

Leveraging Generative AI to Enhance Student Understanding of Complex Research Concepts 

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6.3.6: How to Write an Argument Essay

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First, you need to determine what kind of argument you are writing. Are you writing a position paper? Sample topics would include illegal immigration, wolf protection programs, paying college athletes. Or, are you writing a solution paper, solving a problem? Sample topics include bullying, homelessness, pollution. Next, identify what you already know about this topic. Write a brief outline establishing what you want to argue on this topic. Establish the purpose of your argument. Establishing this before you start researching the topic will make it easier for you to determine what you need to cite in your paper. Next choose an appropriate format.

Organizing the Argument Essay

The two most common organization methods for the argument essay are as follows:

• Rebuttal Throughout - only works with pro/con topics
• Introduction & Thesis Statement
• Define key words and terms that will help to define the parameters of your argument
• Provide background information. If I want to solve global warming, I first need to explain what it is and how it works, so I can show readers how my solution will fix it.
• Establish the severity of the problem. In real life, solutions cost money. If you want taxpayers to pay for it, you need to clearly establish that the problem is severe and must be addressed.
• Give statistics on overcrowding
• Give statistics on future problems if no solution is provided
• Explain how the process will help
• Explain how if appeal process is limited this will further help the situation
• Give statistics on repeat offenders who commit murder
• Give statistics if this is not stopped
• Explain how process would work if implemented
• Explain how this would also stop overcrowding because repeat offenders would not be imprisoned
• Give statistics on the cost of housing
• Compare that to the cost of a limited appeal process
• Explain how this will work if implemented
• Explain how this too relates to previous info
• List a few of the opposition's counterarguments (three)
• Take each one, one at a time, and supply statistics to prove it wrong, example would be to prove that innocent people won’t be executed
• #2 Rebuttal: No other democracy uses it, their side, your side with statistics to prove them wrong
• #3 Rebuttal: Death penalty cheapens value of life: their side, your side with statistics to back it up.

Rebuttal Throughout

• Introduction and thesis
• Opposition’s side
• Your rebuttal argument
• Statistics to support your side and prove them wrong
• Explanation of how this will help society

From Prewriting to Rough Draft

The argument is often the most difficult of essays for students to begin. We are many times as unsure of our positions as we are of our reasons for our positions on controversial topics. “Because that’s what I believe” is only the starting point. Explaining why you believe in your position is the task of the argument. In exploring a topic for a strong argument, solid reasons and sound evidence are keys to convincing your audience of your position. The following steps should help you work through the process of moving from belief to argument.

Choose a topic that you can argue either a position or a solution. For example, to argue a position would be to argue for or against something, like the death penalty. To argue a solution is to argue how to solve something, like how to solve the air pollution problem in Phoenix.

Example: The Effects of Political Correctness on Higher Education

On a blank sheet of paper, write your topic down and at least five reasons in support of and five reasons against your topic. Or, if you are writing a solution paper, look at least five different solutions for the problem.

See how the pros and cons relate. Decide which you want to write about. Do you want to focus on the pros or the cons? Pick the one you feel offers the most possibilities for exploration. Or, choose the solution that seems the most logical, the most doable.

Freewrite. Look at Chapter 1 and follow the prewriting process.

Transform your chosen topic into a “Guiding Question” and write it down. What is the main question that your essay will answer?

Example: What are three main effects of Political Correctness on Higher Education.

Find a variety of initial sources to help you answer your guiding question. You must use these sources in your work either in a quote, paraphrase and/or summary.

• Use database sources and web pages. Be sure and turn in copies of your resources with your final paper. Print and annotate them. And keep them handy: many instructors will not accept any paper without the sources turned in as well.
• Create a Works Cited page from your sources.

Now that you have gathered your information and collected new information, create an outline of your paper.

Answer your “Guiding Question” directly with your thesis statement.

Example: Why are literary works being banned when their overall theme is positive? Because of over-zealous proponents of Political Correctness, once celebrated literary works like Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn , William Shakespeare’s Hamlet , and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird are being banned despite their important universal themes.

Check your outline. Place your thesis at the top of the outline followed by the causes and/or effects: I. II. III. Under each main point, place two main specific points that will support the general topic sentence and the thesis. Use capital letters for the specific points.

Write the rough draft.

Step Eleven

Revise the rough draft using the tips in Chapter 4. If your instructor schedules a peer review, be present. You may also visit your college’s writing center and work with a tutor. Revise again and edit your draft until you have a solid, well developed and unique argument.

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Student Opinion

176 Writing Prompts to Spark Discussion and Reflection

Here are all of our Student Opinion questions from the 2023-24 school year. Each question is based on a different New York Times article, interactive feature or video.

By The Learning Network

Each day of the school year we publish a Student Opinion question inviting students to share their own opinions and experiences in response to New York Times stories on the news of the day. To introduce each question, we provide an excerpt from a related Times article, interactive or video as well as a free link to that piece.

The 176 questions we asked during the 2023-24 school year are available below and in this PDF . The prompts are organized into three sections: questions that lend themselves well to persuasive writing, questions that encourage narrative writing, and additional Student Opinion forums.

Teachers can use these prompts to help students practice narrative and persuasive writing, start classroom debates and even spark conversation between students around the world via our comments section. For more ideas on how to use these Student Opinion prompts in your classroom, you might consult this comprehensive teacher’s guide , which includes practical strategies from a dozen educators.

Questions for Narrative and Personal Writing

1. Do You Multitask? Is It Helpful or Harmful? 2. How Did You Grow and Change This School Year? 3. What Accomplishments Are You Most Proud Of? 4. Have You Ever Been Injured? Tell Us the Story. 5. Where in the World Would You Most Like to Travel? 6. Who Is Your Hero? 7. How Well Do You Get Along With Your Siblings? 8. What Is Teenage Bullying Like Today? 9. Are You a Joiner? 10. When Have You Felt That You Mattered? 11. How Hard Is It to Wake Up in the Morning? 12. What Have You Learned From Failure? 13. Where Is the Line Between Helping a Child Become More Resilient and Pushing Them Too Hard? 14. If You Had $1 Billion to Give Away, What Charity Would You Support? 15. What Are the Small Ways You Show Love to Those You Care About? 16. How Do You Feel About High School? 17. What Activities or Hobbies Do You Do With Your Family? 18. Do You Use, Like, Too Many Filler Words? 19. What Is Your Relationship With Fast Food? 20. What’s the Greatest Gift Your Parents Have Given You? 21. What Is Your Favorite Word? 22. Are You Good at Apologizing? 23. What Is Your Dream Job? 24. What Amazes You Most About Animals? 25. Which Toy Would You Want to Help Design or Update? 26. What Are the Best, and Worst, Recommendations You’ve Gotten From Social Media? 27. What Small Wins Have You Had Recently? 28. What Do You Like About Playing Games? 29. What Everyday Object Deserves More Love? 30. Are You Too Critical of Yourself? 31. Do You Spend Enough Time in the Dirt? 32. What Got Your Attention in the News Recently? 33. Has Your Birth Order Shaped Who You Are? 34. What Elective Do You Wish Your School Offered? 35. How Far Would You Push Yourself Physically to Meet a Goal? 36. How Often Do You Take Breaks From Your Phone? 37. How Do You Deal With Conflicts? 38. What Children’s Book Worlds Do You Wish You Could Visit in Real Life? 39. Has Your Relationship to School Attendance Changed Since the Pandemic? 40. What Can You Make or Fix With Your Hands? 41. What Have You Learned From a Grandparent or Elder? 42. Do You Wish You Had More Places to Go? 43. What Author Would You Most Like to Meet? 44. Have You Ever Lost Someone as a Friend? 45. Do You Keep a Journal? 46. Are You Tired of Influencers? 47. How Did the Covid-19 Pandemic Affect You, Your Family and Your Community? 48. To Whom Would You Write an Open Letter? 49. What’s the Best — and Worst — Part of Being a Sports Fan? 50. How Much Exercise Do You Get Each Week? 51. Do You Have a Hard Time Saying ‘No’? 52. What’s Your Favorite Kind of TikTok Video? 53. What Are Your Favorite Local Businesses? 54. How Involved Do You Expect Your Parents to Be in Your Adult Life? 55. How Important Is It to You to Keep Mementos From Your Life? 56. Who Are Your Favorite Athletes to Watch Right Now? 57. How Does Your School Address Students’ Mental Health Needs? 58. What Communities Are You a Part Of? What Communities Would You Like to Explore? 59. What’s Your TV ‘Comfort Food’? 60. What Sad Songs Do You Listen to When You’re Feeling Down? 61. Will You Be Watching Super Bowl LVIII? 62. What Was Your Most Memorable Field Trip? 63. What Is Unique About Where You Live? 64. What Is Your Experience With Group Chats? 65. Are You a Fan of Movie Remakes? 66. What Brings You Delight? 67. Do You Ever Host or Attend Sleepovers? 68. Here Are 15 Winning Tiny Memoirs. Which Ones Most Resonate With You? 69. What Is Your Reaction to Trump’s Conviction on 34 Felony Counts? 70. Do You Enjoy Keeping Secrets? 71. Are You Growing Tired of Superhero Movies? 72. What Do You Wish You Could Do Well? 73. Do You Think Any of These Mythical Creatures Might Be Real? 74. What Are Your Thoughts on Last Names? 75. Which TV Show or Movie Would You Want to Live? 76. Do You Ever Feel Envious of Others? 77. What Do You Want to Do Differently in the New Year? 78. What Is the Best Month of the Year? What Is the Worst? 79. What Will You Remember About 2023? 80. Do You Prefer Gifts That You’ve Asked For or Ones That Are a Surprise? 81. How Do You Feel About Holiday Music? 82. What Do You Appreciate About Winter? 83. Do You Like to Dance? 84. Do You Ever Feel Sentimental About the Past? 85. What Slang Do You Use? 86. Do You Like Spending Time Alone With Your Thoughts? 87. Do You Like Watching Other People Watch Sports? 88. What Role Does Humor Play in Your Life? 89. What Are You Grateful For? 90. Do You Trust Online Reviews? 91. What Have You Changed Your Mind About? 92. Do You Use Swear Words? 93. The North American Total Solar Eclipse Is Here. Are You Watching? 94. What ‘Oddball Rituals’ Do You Have? 95. Do You Ever Feel Pressure to Post About Your Outrage Online? 96. What Do You Enjoy That Others Think Is Cringe, Played Out or Just Uncool? 97. What Small Moments From Your Life Do You Think About Often? 98. Are You There for Your Friends When They Need You? 99. What Misconceptions Do People Have About Where You Live? 100. What’s Your Take on Beige Flags in Relationships? 101. Do You Share Music Tastes With Your Parents? 102. What Does Hip-Hop Mean to You? 103. What Do You Think of Barbie? 104. How Concerned Are You About the Cost of College? 105. What Has Been Your Best Secondhand Find? 106. What Household Items Can’t You Live Without? 107. How Do You Feel When You’re Interrupted? 108. At Which Museum or Venue Would You Like to Spend the Night? 109. What Were the Best and Worst Parts of Your Summer Vacation?

Questions for Debate and Persuasive Writing

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How not to write your college essay.

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If you are looking for the “secret formula” for writing a “winning” college essay, you have come to the wrong place. The reality is there is no silver bullet or strategy to write your way to an acceptance. There is not one topic or approach that will guarantee a favorable outcome.

At the end of the day, every admission office just wants to know more about you, what you value, and what excites you. They want to hear about your experiences through your own words and in your own voice. As you set out to write your essay, you will no doubt get input (both sought-after and unsolicited) on what to write. But how about what NOT Notcoin to write? There are avoidable blunders that applicants frequently make in drafting their essays. I asked college admission leaders, who have read thousands of submissions, to share their thoughts.

Don’t Go In There

There is wide consensus on this first one, so before you call on your Jedi mind tricks or predictive analytics, listen to the voices of a diverse range of admission deans. Peter Hagan, executive director of admissions at Syracuse University, sums it up best, saying, “I would recommend that students try not to get inside of our heads. He adds, “Too often the focus is on what they think we want.”

Andy Strickler, dean of admission and financial aid at Connecticut College agrees, warning, “Do NOT get caught in the trap of trying to figure out what is going to impress the admission committee. You have NO idea who is going to read your essay and what is going to connect with them. So, don't try to guess that.” Victoria Romero, vice president for enrollment, at Scripps College adds, “Do not write about something you don’t care about.” She says, “I think students try to figure out what an admission officer wants to read, and the reality is the reader begins every next essay with no expectations about the content THEY want to read.” Chrystal Russell, dean of admission at Hampden-Sydney College, agrees, saying, “If you're not interested in writing it, we will not be interested when reading it.” Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Vermont elaborates, advising. “Don’t try to make yourself sound any different than you are.” He says, “The number one goal for admission officers is to better understand the applicant, what they like to do, what they want to do, where they spend the majority of their time, and what makes them tick. If a student stays genuine to that, it will shine through and make an engaging and successful essay.”

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Don’t Be Artificial

The headlines about college admission are dominated by stories about artificial intelligence and the college essay. Let’s set some ground rules–to allow ChatGPT or some other tool to do your work is not only unethical, it is also unintelligent. The only worse mistake you could make is to let another human write your essay for you. Instead of preoccupying yourself with whether or not colleges are using AI detection software (most are not), spend your time focused on how best to express yourself authentically. Rick Clark is the executive director of strategic student success at Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the first institutions to clearly outline their AI policy for applicants. He says, “Much of a college application is devoted to lines, boxes, and numbers. Essays and supplements are the one place to establish connection, personality, and distinction. AI, in its current state, is terrible at all three.” He adds, “My hope is that students will use ChatGPT or other tools for brainstorming and to get started, but then move quickly into crafting an essay that will provide insight and value.”

Don’t Overdo It

Michael Stefanowicz, vice president for enrollment management at Landmark College says, “You can only cover so much detail about yourself in an admission essay, and a lot of students feel pressure to tell their life story or choose their most defining experience to date as an essay topic. Admission professionals know that you’re sharing just one part of your lived experience in the essay.” He adds, “Some of the favorite essays I’ve read have been episodic, reflecting on the way you’ve found meaning in a seemingly ordinary experience, advice you’ve lived out, a mistake you’ve learned from, or a special tradition in your life.” Gary Ross, vice president for admission and financial aid at Colgate University adds, “More than a few applicants each year craft essays that talk about the frustration and struggles they have experienced in identifying a topic for their college application essay. Presenting your college application essay as a smorgasbord of topics that ultimately landed on the cutting room floor does not give us much insight into an applicant.”

Don’t Believe In Magic

Jason Nevinger, senior director of admission at the University of Rochester warns, “Be skeptical of anyone or any company telling you, ‘This is the essay that got me into _____.’ There is no magic topic, approach, sentence structure, or prose that got any student into any institution ever.” Social media is littered with advertisements promising strategic essay help. Don’t waste your time, energy, or money trying to emulate a certain style, topic, or tone. Liz Cheron is chief executive officer for the Coalition for College and former assistant vice president of enrollment & dean of admissions at Northeastern University. She agrees with Nevinger, saying “Don't put pressure on yourself to find the perfect, slam dunk topic. The vast majority of college essays do exactly what they're supposed to do–they are well-written and tell the admission officer more about the student in that student's voice–and that can take many different forms.”

Don’t Over Recycle

Beatrice Atkinson-Myers, associate director of global recruitment at the University of California at Santa Cruz tells students, “Do not use the same response for each university; research and craft your essay to match the program at the university you are interested in studying. Don't waste time telling me things I can read elsewhere in your application. Use your essay to give the admissions officer insights into your motivations, interests, and thinking. Don't make your essay the kitchen sink, focus on one or two examples which demonstrate your depth and creativity.” Her UC colleague, Jim Rawlins, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at the University of California at San Diego agrees, saying “Answer the question. Not doing so is the surest way we can tell you are simply giving us a snippet of something you actually wrote for a different purpose.”

Don’t Overedit

Emily Roper-Doten, vice president for undergraduate admissions and financial assistance at Clark University warns against “Too many editors!” She says, “Pick a couple of trusted folks to be your sounding board when considering topics and as readers once you have drafts. You don’t want too many voices in your essay to drown you out!” Scripps’ Romero agrees, suggesting, “Ask a good friend, someone you trust and knows you well, to read your essays.” She adds, “The goal is for the admission committee to get to know a little about you and who better to help you create that framework, than a good friend. This may not work for all students because of content but helps them understand it’s important to be themselves.” Whitney Soule, vice provost and dean of admissions at The University of Pennsylvania adds, “Avoid well-meaning editorial interference that might seem to polish your writing but actually takes your own personal ‘shine’ right out of the message.” She says, “As readers, we connect to applicants through their genuine tone and style. Considering editorial advice for flow and message is OK but hold on to the 'you' for what you want to say and how you want to say it.”

Don’t Get Showy

Palmer Muntz, senior regional admissions counselor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks cautions applicants, “Don’t be fancier than you are. You don’t need to put on airs.” He adds, “Yes, proofread your work for grammar and spelling, but be natural. Craft something you’d want to read yourself, which probably means keeping your paragraphs short, using familiar words, and writing in an active voice.” Connecticut College’s Strickler agrees, warning, “Don't try to be someone you are not. If you are not funny, don't try to write a funny essay. If you are not an intellectual, trying to write an intellectual essay is a bad idea.”

Anthony Jones, the vice president of enrollment management at Loyola University New Orleans offers a unique metaphor for thinking about the essay. He says, “In the new world of the hyper-fast college admission process, it's become easy to overlook the essential meaning of the college application. It's meant to reveal Y...O...U, the real you, not some phony digital avatar. Think of the essay as the essence of that voice but in analog. Like the completeness and authenticity captured in a vinyl record, the few lines you're given to explain your view should be a slow walk through unrestrained expression chock full of unapologetic nuances, crevices of emotion, and exactness about how you feel in the moment. Then, and only then, can you give the admissions officer an experience that makes them want to tune in and listen for more.”

Don’t Be A Downer

James Nondorf, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at The University of Chicago says, “Don’t be negative about other people, be appreciative of those who have supported you, and be excited about who you are and what you will bring to our campus!” He adds, “While admissions offices want smart students for our classrooms, we also want kind-hearted, caring, and joyous students who will add to our campus communities too.”

Don’t Pattern Match

Alan Ramirez is the dean of admission and financial aid at Sewanee, The University of the South. He explains, “A big concern I have is when students find themselves comparing their writing to other students or past applicants and transform their writing to be more like those individuals as a way to better their chances of offering a more-compelling essay.” He emphasizes that the result is that the “essay is no longer authentic nor the best representation of themselves and the whole point of the essay is lost. Their distinctive voice and viewpoint contribute to the range of voices in the incoming class, enhancing the diversity of perspectives we aim to achieve.” Ramirez simple tells students, “Be yourself, that’s what we want to see, plus there's no one else who can do it better than you!”

Don’t Feel Tied To A Topic

Jessica Ricker is the vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid at Skidmore College. She says, “Sometimes students feel they must tell a story of grief or hardship, and then end up reliving that during the essay-writing process in ways that are emotionally detrimental. I encourage students to choose a topic they can reflect upon positively but recommend that if they choose a more challenging experience to write about, they avoid belaboring the details and instead focus on the outcome of that journey.” She adds, "They simply need to name it, frame its impact, and then help us as the reader understand how it has shaped their lens on life and their approach moving forward.”

Landmark College’s Stefanowicz adds, “A lot of students worry about how personal to get in sharing a part of their identity like your race or heritage (recalling last year’s Supreme Court case about race-conscious admissions), a learning difference or other disability, your religious values, LGBTQ identity…the list goes on.” He emphasizes, “This is always your choice, and your essay doesn’t have to be about a defining identity. But I encourage you to be fully yourself as you present yourself to colleges—because the college admission process is about finding a school where your whole self is welcome and you find a setting to flourish!”

Don’t Be Redundant

Hillen Grason Jr., dean of admission at Franklin & Marshall College, advises, “Don't repeat academic or co-curricular information that is easily identifiable within other parts of your application unless the topic is a core tenant of you as an individual.” He adds, “Use your essay, and other parts of your application, wisely. Your essay is the best way to convey who your authentic self is to the schools you apply. If you navigated a situation that led to a dip in your grades or co-curricular involvement, leverage the ‘additional information’ section of the application.

Thomas Marr is a regional manager of admissions for the Americas at The University of St Andrews in Scotland and points out that “Not all international schools use the main college essay as part of their assessment when reviewing student applications.” He says, “At the University of St Andrews, we focus on the supplemental essay and students should avoid the mistake of making the supplemental a repeat of their other essay. The supplemental (called the Personal Statement if using the UCAS application process) is to show the extent of their passion and enthusiasm for the subject/s to which they are applying and we expect about 75% of the content to cover this. They can use the remaining space to mention their interests outside of the classroom. Some students confuse passion for the school with passion for their subject; do not fall into that trap.”

A Few Final Don’ts

Don’t delay. Every college applicant I have ever worked with has wished they had started earlier. You can best avoid the pitfalls above if you give yourself the time and space to write a thoughtful essay and welcome feedback openly but cautiously. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect . Do your best, share your voice, and stay true to who you are.

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Rethinking English essay scores: The argument for argument over grammar

To get high scores at essay writing tests, learners of English as a foreign language need to focus on good arguments more than on complex grammar. The Kobe University finding challenges conventional approaches to test preparation and scoring rubrics.

Writing essays is a well-established tool for monitoring progress in learning English as a foreign language, as it provides a snapshot of a student's mastery of grammar and vocabulary. Especially in Japan, where English language tests are often required for university admission and students closely follow advice on how to achieve high scores on these tests, a "good essay" is often seen as one that demonstrates a high level of grammatical complexity. But is this actually reflected in test scores?

Kobe University linguist YASUDA Sachiko expresses her doubts: "Based on my experience of teaching academic writing to students at various levels in Japan, I believe that linguistically complex texts do not always result in better writing." She therefore decided to conduct an experiment with over 100 Japanese high school students. Yasuda had them write a short essay on a given topic and looked at the relationship between the linguistic complexity of the texts and the writers' ability to present complex arguments, and how these two related to how the texts were graded according to official rubrics. She adds, "This study is the first to focus on the relationship between features of linguistic complexity and features of meaning complexity; no one else in the relevant fields has looked at the relationship between these two."

The results, published in the journal Assessing Writing , confirmed her suspicions. She found that high-scoring essays shared features related more to the ability to express complex meaning, such as lexical diversity, noun modification, and soundness and number of arguments, than to structural complexity. "Interestingly, low scoring essays showed the highest level of complexity in finite adverbial dependent clauses," the linguist writes in her paper. Emphasizing this point, the ability to express complex meaning was strongly correlated only with using diverse expressions and the ability to modify their meaning, but not with grammatical features. Yasuda concludes, "Simply having complex sentence structures does not necessarily lead to a better essay."

The findings have implications for how essay writing tests are scored. The Kobe University researcher explains: "Current rubrics for writing questions on language tests instruct test-takers to 'use complex grammar appropriately' or 'a variety of complex structures.' However, since sentence complexity does not significantly affect overall essay quality, it may be more appropriate to use terms such as 'contextually appropriate grammar' or 'genre-appropriate grammar.'" Thus arguing that the ability to express one's opinion in varied and complex ways is a marker of students' writing ability, she advocates that this characteristic should be more represented both in the way tests are scored and how feedback is provided to students.

This so-called washback effect of test scoring rubrics on the way language is taught is at the heart of what drives Yasuda. She says: "I am committed to using the results of this study for practical applications, such as refining assessment criteria for evaluating students' writing, developing tasks and materials to improve their writing skills, and identifying the key knowledge that teachers need to help students become better writers. The ability to write in English has become increasingly important in the 21st century, as it is a crucial medium that allows us to connect with others around the world."

This research was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant JP24K04031JSPS).

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Materials provided by Kobe University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Sachiko Yasuda. Does “more complexity” equal “better writing”? Investigating the relationship between form-based complexity and meaning-based complexity in high school EFL learners’ argumentative writing . Assessing Writing , 2024; 61: 100867 DOI: 10.1016/j.asw.2024.100867

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