How to write an opinion essay
- Deniz Akcaoglu
- August 23, 2023
- How to write an essay
- Common essay types
- Argumentative essay
- Autobiography essay
- Biography essay
- Cause and effect essay
- Critical analysis essay
- Compare and contrast essay
- College application essay
- Common app essay
- Definition essay
- Descriptive essay
- Evaluation essay
- Explanatory essay
- Expository essay
- First person essay
- Informal essay
- Literary analysis essay
- Narrative essay
- Opinion essay
- Personal statement essay
- Persuasive essay
- Poetry essay
- Process essay
- Profile essay
- Reflective essay
- Rhetorical analysis essay
- Scholarship essay
- Statement of purpose essay
- Synthesis essay
- Length of an essay
- Outlining an essay
- Essay structures
- Essay topic ideas
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs
- Conclusion
- Citing sources in APA
- Citing sources in MLA
- Avoiding plagiarism
- Essay checklist
An opinion essay is a structured writing in which the author expresses his point of view on a specific subject.
In an opinion essay, you better back up your perspective with solid reasoning and examples.
Similar to argumentative essays, it’s better to include the conflicting perspective to your opinion, but the conflicting opinion better be disproved in your opinion essay.
At this point, you might be thinking how different opinion essay is from argumentative and persuasive essay.
- Persuasive or argumentative essays try getting the reader to agree with writer's point of view.
- In an opinion essay, you express the point of view and back it up with statistics, proofs, and illustrations, but do not attempt to persuade the reader.
Now, let’s continue with the steps to write a perfect opinion essay.
Step 1: Research and gather information
You must first collect facts to justify your point of view before writing your essay. Make sure the information you gather supports your position.
While gathering information, you should ask yourself some questions:
- What do I want to tell my reader?
- What are the key points that my essay can cover?
- Are there some inconsistencies or contradictions among the points?
Answering these questions will help you see your argument critically and solve any issues it might have.
Step 2: Prepare an opinion essay outline
Preparing an outline is one of the most useful things you can do while writing any kind of essay. In an opinion essay, a well-prepared outline is about 70% of the work.
Preparing an outline helps you in two ways:
- It eliminates the fear caused by the blank page in front of you.
- It helps you organize your scattered thoughts.
Opinion essay outline example
-
Introduction
- Introduce your topic: Small town vs. Big cities
- Detail and background on the subject
- Thesis statement (Main idea)
- Body paragraph 1
- Topic sentence: In my opinion, easy transportation is one of the most...
- Detail and reason for your opinion
- Supporting sentences
- Closing sentece of the paragraph
- Conclusion
- Reaffirm thesis sentence with highlighting your thesis sentence.
- Reasoning, summarizing your points
- Concluding sentence of your opinion essay
Step 3: Opinion essay introduction
For our sample opinion essay, we have decided to answer the following question:
- “Some people choose to live in a small town setting. Others would rather reside in a large city. Which location would you like to call home?”
Opinion essay introduction example
The discussion of small town versus big city is one that everyone has specific responses for. Opening sentence: Introduction to the subject. Sets the ground for the essay. This discussion is not one that has a clear and definitive answer, as personal backgrounds and preferences play a huge role in the decision. Detail: Indicator that the topic at hand is a diverse one that can have varying answers. Also predicates that the writer will be presenting their opinion with back up information As for me, I would prefer living in a big city for a number of reasons such as the easy transportation, better job opportunities, and more diverse culture. Thesis statement: Presents the writer’s opinion on the subject and summarizes the main points that will be discussed in the paper
The introduction paragraph serves as a kind of road map for the rest of your essay. You can start your essay in a variety of ways as seen below.
- Openly addressing the reader
- A quote, direct expression, or a line from a book or play into the mix.
- A rhetorical question
Step 4: Body paragraphs
Your thesis statement must be supported in the body of your paper. Here’s an example and some tips for you to use in body paragraphs.
Opinion essay paragraph example
Body paragraph best practices
- Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence.
- Write several paragraphs, each expressing a different point of view backed up by proof.
- Use formal language. This means that you should avoid slang, idioms, and casual expressions.
- Cite the sources in APA or MLA to avoid plagiarism while writing your essay.
- Tense selection is important for opinion essays, you better usually use present tenses.
Using transition word & sentences
You should use a variety of transition sentences and transition words for different situations. You’ll see some interactive examples for different transition types below.
Transition words for argument example
One reason for, Transition to highlight the flow the decline of traditional industries... Many people believe that Another transition word these changes have resulted in increased competition... Additionally, since Another transition word companies can now outsource production to countries with Due to Another transition word these factors, many workers have lost...
Transition words for voicing views example
From my point of view, Transition to highlight the flow the education system needs to place more emphasis on practical skills... I am convinced that Another transition word traditional approaches to education, which prioritize theoretical... To my mind, Another transition word students need to develop a range of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving...
Step 5: Opinion essay conclusion
Now, you should write a paragraph at the end of your opinion essay in which you reaffirm your viewpoint with brief sentences. Your paper comes to a close with the conclusion of your opinion essay.
Opinion essay conclusion example
Conclusion best practice
You should avoid adding a new concept to the essay or apologizing for your viewpoints in the conclusion paragraph. You may, however, finish your essay with a note, a challenging question, or a suggestion to make it more effective.5-Paragraph Opinion Essay Example
Should Students be Able to Grade Their Teachers?
Introduction
The idea of allowing students to grade their teachers is a controversial topic in the field of education.
Hook sentence: Grab the reader's attention
Some educators believe that students should have the right to express their opinions about their teachers' performance, while others argue that this practice is inappropriate and could lead to biased evaluations.
Background information
In this essay, I will explore the pros and cons of student evaluations and argue that although they have some limitations, they can be a useful tool for improving the quality of teaching in schools.
Thesis statement outlining the main argument
Body paragraphs
First and foremost, allowing students to evaluate their teachers can provide valuable feedback that can be used to improve teaching practices. Topic sentence: Benefits of allowing students Students spend a significant amount of time in the classroom, and their opinions about their teachers can provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn't. Explanation For example, if a majority of students indicate that a particular teaching method is not effective, the teacher can modify their approach to better suit the needs of their students. Example to support the argument
However, there are also some limitations to student evaluations. One concern is that students may not be capable of providing unbiased feedback. Topic sentence: Limitations For example, a student who dislikes a teacher may give them a low rating, regardless of their actual performance. Additionally, students may not have a complete understanding of what makes a good teacher. Explanation Therefore, student evaluations should not be the sole basis for evaluating a teacher's performance. Supporting & closing the paragraph with a point
Another potential issue with student evaluations is that they could be used as a way to punish teachers who enforce strict discipline or challenge students to perform at a high level.
Topic sentence: Topic Potential negative consequences
If students are given too much power to evaluate their teachers, they may use it to retaliate against teachers who do not give them high grades or who challenge them to work harder.
Explanation
Therefore, it is essential to use student evaluations as part of a larger system of evaluation, which takes into account other factors such as classroom observations and student performance.
Supporting & closing the paragraph with a point
Conclusion
In conclusion, while student evaluations have some limitations, they can be a valuable tool for improving the quality of teaching in schools. Restatement of the thesis By providing teachers with feedback on their performance, they can make adjustments to better meet the needs of their students. However, it is important to ensure that student evaluations are used as part of a larger system of evaluation, which takes into account other factors, such as classroom observations and student performance. Recap of the main arguments Ultimately, student evaluations can be a powerful tool for improving the quality of education, but they must be used wisely and with caution. Final thoughts on the topic
Key takeaways
- An opinion essay is a type of essay where the writer expresses their personal opinion on a particular topic or issue.
- When writing an opinion essay, it's important to clearly state your opinion and support it with strong and logical arguments.
- Begin your essay with a clear introduction that grabs the reader's attention and presents your opinion statement.
- Use well reasoned arguments, evidence, and examples to support your opinion throughout the essay.
- End your essay with a conclusion that restates your opinion and summarizes the key points, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.