Skip to main content

Easy Steps to Write a Compelling Opinion Essay or Opinion Paper

Content
Opinion essay format
How to write an opinion paragraph
Opinion essay example
Popular opinion essays example topics
FAQs opinion essays

How to write an opinion essay

To write effective opinion essays, you need to organize your ideas logically.

Opinion Essay Format

Opinion essay outline

Steps to write an opinion essay introduction

1. Start with a hook: Include an interesting fact or quotation to grab the reader's attention.

2. Give some background information: Provide the reader with some context to help them understand your position.

3. State your opinion: Clearly and concisely state your position on the issue at hand.

4. Support your opinion: Use evidence, examples, or reasoning to back up your position.

5. Address counterarguments: Acknowledge and refute any opposing views to your position.


Steps to write opinion essay body paragraphs

1. Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of your paragraph.

2. Use specific examples and details to support your main point.

3. Explain how your examples support your main point.

4. Conclude your paragraph by restating your main point or making a related point.


Steps to write an opinion essay conclusion

1. Briefly summarize your main points: Restate your opinion and the supporting evidence you provided in the body of your essay.

2. Leave the reader with a strong statement or call to action: Encourage the reader to agree with your opinion and take action on the issue.

3. End on a positive note: Reinforce the importance of your opinion and the positive outcomes that could come from taking action on the issue.


Opinion Writing - How to write an opinion paragraph

  • Start with a topic sentence that establishes the subject and your position on it.
  • Include compelling reasons for your opinion or evidence to support it.
  • Explain each reason in detail.
  • Let the reader feel your voice.
  • Use the final sentence to restate your view and summarize the ideas you presented in the paragraph.

    • Opinion Essay Example

    Some people think that schools are more effective if students are allowed to participate in running the school.

    Say whether you agree or disagree with this statement, and give your own opinion.

    Give reasons for your answer and include any examples from your personal experience or knowledge.


    How To Write An Opinion Essay

    Opinion Essay Examples

    Are schools more effective if students are allowed to participate in running the school?

    While greater student engagement in the education process is always to be encouraged, there are certain limitations as to what can be expected from students in terms of the daily operational activities of an educational institution. It is, therefore, necessary to adopt a balanced approach to student involvement while achieving the best possible educational outcomes.

    Undoubtedly, there are benefits to students becoming bigger stakeholders in their schools, such as helping develop a sense of responsibility and pride, in addition to them learning more about relevant decision-making processes. While many students may have various ideas regarding how to improve the school and its education experience, not all of these might be practical or desirable. It is important that those responsible for decision-making inform themselves about the students' viewpoint regarding the issues under consideration. However, students are not educational experts.

    Students should be a key part of the decision-making process by providing their unique perspective regarding their school and experience of the education process. However, they are generally unaware of the bigger picture and likely fail to grasp the implications of industry trends, national education policy, and the impact of a broad range of factors influencing educational outcomes. Therefore, encouraging greater student engagement in school policy decisions should be considered ensuring that any such involvement is a positive and constructive experience for all involved. It should not simply be a means to placate the students' desires to be further involved.

    Overall, the effectiveness of a particular school depends largely on a host of different factors which can impact outcomes, not all of which are within the control of the school authorities or students. Greater student involvement should be sought and encouraged; however, such involvement also needs to be tempered with identifying areas in which they can make an optimal contribution rather than involving students in all aspects of running their school.


    How would you answer this opinion essay question about students participating in the running of schools?


    Examples of Popular Opinion Essay Topics

    • - The death penalty: Is it an effective way to deter crime?
    • - Gun control: Is it necessary to regulate firearms?
    • - Social media: Are platforms like Facebook and Twitter making us more isolated?
    • - Education: Is the traditional educational system outdated?
    • - Immigration: Should illegal immigrants be deported?
    • - Legalizing marijuana: Will it reduce crime?
    • - Animal testing: Is it cruel and inhumane?
    • - Cloning: Is it ethically acceptable?
    • - Genetically modified foods: Are they safe to eat?
    • - The war on terror: Is it a justifiable conflict?
    • - Censorship: Is it ever justified?
    • - The patriarchy: Is it the root of all gender inequality?
    • - Feminism: Is it still relevant today?
    • - Electoral college reform: Is it necessary?
    • - Gerrymandering: Is it a threat to democracy?
    • - Lobbying: Should it be regulated?
    • - Climate change: Is it a hoax?
    • - Capital punishment: Is it a deterrent to crime?
    • - Life imprisonment: Is it a more humane alternative to the death penalty?
    • - Juvenile offenders: Should they be tried as adults?
    • - Drug legalization: Would it reduce crime?
    • - Cybercrime: Is it a real threat?
    • - Internet privacy: Should we be concerned?


    FAQ

    What is an opinion essay?

    An opinion essay is a piece of writing where the writer expresses their opinion on a particular topic. This could be something they feel strongly about, such as politics or religion, or it could be something more light-hearted like their favorite TV show.

    What are the key components of an opinion essay or opinion paper?

    There are three key components to an opinion essay: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

    The introduction should introduce the topic of the essay and give the writer's opinion on it.

    The body of the essay should present reasons and evidence to support the writer's opinion.

    The conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay and restate the writer's opinion.

    How can I make my opinion essay more interesting?

    One way to make your opinion essay more interesting is to include examples to support your points. You can also use strong language to express your opinion forcefully. Finally, you can try to write in a style that is more personal and engaging.

    How is an opinion essay different from a persuasive essay?

    An opinion essay is different from a persuasive essay in that the opinion essay presents the writer's opinions without trying to convince the reader to agree. A persuasive essay, on the other hand, tries to convince the reader to agree with the writer's opinion.

    Is an opinion essay only for academic writing tests?

    No, an opinion essay can be written for any purpose. However, it is often used as a writing test for academic purposes.

    Is there a standard opinion essay structure to follow?

    There is no standard opinion essay structure, but most opinion essays will include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should state the writer's opinion on the topic, and the body paragraphs should provide reasons and evidence to support that opinion. The conclusion should restate the opinion and sum up the main points of the essay.



    Essay Writing Help

    Popular posts from this blog

    Cambridge IELTS 11 Test 1 Writing Task 1 Question and Answer

    Task 1 Question How to Answer Task 1 Questions Sample Answer Cambridge 11 Writing Task 1 IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic) tests your written communication skills - how well you can report/describe information. Cambridge IELTS Book 11 Test 1 Writing Task 1 IELTS Writing Test Task 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The charts below show the percentage of water used for different purposes in six areas of the world. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant Write at least 150 words. International English Language Testing System How would you answer this IELTS 11 Writing Task 1 question about water used for different purposes? IELTS 11 Writing Test 1, Task 1 Answer (useful vocabulary is highlighted ) The pie charts illustrates water usage in six different regions around the world. Notably , Europe consumes the greatest quantity of water for in
    Read more

    How To Answer Cambridge IELTS 8 Speaking Test 1

    Content Cambridge IELTS 8 Speaking Test 1 How to give your opinion in English Here are some questions from Cambridge IELTS Practice Tests Book 8 Speaking Test 1. They include the IELTS Cue Card Describe a time when you were asked to give your opinion in a questionnaire . A native English speaker gave these sample answers to show you what someone might say. Remember, you can answer these questions in many different ways. Cambridge IELTS 8 Speaking Test 1 IELTS Speaking Tip Do NOT try to memorize full answers - this is unnatural and IELTS examiners are trained to identify memorized answers. Cambridge IELTS 8 Test 1 Speaking Questions & Answers Part 1 Topic | Neighbours How well do you know the people who live next door to you? I know them quite well because we’ve lived beside each other for a couple of years now. The people who live to the right of me, wel
    Read more

    Computers Speaking Part 1 Questions & Answers

    How would you answer these example questions about computers from Part 1 of the IELTS speaking test? What examples would you give? What details would you need to describe? What vocabulary would you need to express yourself well? Tips for IELTS Speaking | IELTS Speaking Part 1 | Computers, computer skills, children and computers, how important are computers? Computer Speaking Part 1 Questions You can use these questions in your IELTS preparation to help you think about what you would say in response to them. Computers Speaking Part 1 Do you often use computers? Yes, I do, very often, in fact every day I use my laptop. I use it for studying, researching, entertainment and also for shopping sometimes. Do you often use a computer? Not very often, I guess I just don't really need one in my day-to-day life. I have a smartphone for email and social media, and I can do most of the things I need to do on my phone. Plus, I like having some time away from screen
    Read more