How to write an opinion essay

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.

opinion essay

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. 

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:

Answering these questions will help you see your argument critically and solve any issues it might have.

Step 2: Prepare an opinion essay outline

essay outline structure

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:

Opinion essay outline example

  1. Introduction
    1. Introduce your topic: Small town vs. Big cities
    2. Detail and background on the subject
    3. Thesis statement (Main idea)

  2. Body paragraph 1
    1. Topic sentence: In my opinion, easy transportation is one of the most...
    2. Detail and reason for your opinion
    3. Supporting sentences
    4. Closing sentece of the paragraph

  3. Conclusion
    1. Reaffirm thesis sentence with highlighting your thesis sentence.
    2. Reasoning, summarizing your points
    3. Concluding sentence of your opinion essay

Step 3: Opinion essay introduction

For our sample opinion essay, we have decided to answer the following question:

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.

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.

In my opinion, easy transportation is one of the most important aspects when it comes to choosing a place to live. Topic sentence: This sentence shows what the paragraph is going to be about. The emphasis on the “opinion” makes the reader see that the writer is not imposing their opinion Our busy lives require us to commute to many places on a daily basis. Having easy transportation opportunities and therefore saving money by using public transportation is a big bonus for me. Specifying opinion: Specification of the situation which emphasizes the individuality of the opinion. The phrase “for me” is a key factor. In those days where 24 hours feels so limited, dealing with finding the correct transportation necessitates so much energy that most working people cannot provide. Base: Even though the essay is a personal opinion essay, you should present the base for your opinion. Our busy lives require us to commute to many places on a daily basis. Supporting sentence: Supporting sentence that lays the ground for the concluding sentence that states the reason for opinion clearly. Since I am one of those people, I would prefer living in a big city. Concluding sentence: The sentence that gets its support from the points mentioned in the paragraph. End the paragraph with a strong note

Body paragraph best practices

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.

After all, I believe that living in a big city is the ideal choice for me. Opening sentence: Reaffirming the thesis statement as well as presenting a suggestion which makes the reader engage. Living in a big city makes things easier for busy people like us. It offers a wide range of public transportation that helps you get from one place to another easily. Reasoning: Reclaiming and summarizing the reason behind one of the arguments. Secondly, it has many job opportunities for you. Living in a small town might result in you working in a job you do not like. However, big cities make this probability almost impossible with their job opportunities from various sectors. Summarizing: Summarizing another argument made in the essay. stating why a small town is not suitable for this lifestyle strengthens the argument. Living in a big city also introduces you to many different cultures and lifestyles, therefore broadening your horizons. This is important for me because I believe that a wide world view always helps you progress in life. Emphasizing individuality: Summary of another argument that also emphasizes the individuality of the opinion. So, these are the reasons I have always preferred to live in a big city over a small town. Your different lifestyle might make it easier for you to live in a small town, but for me, that feels like a very distant possibility. Concluding sentence: Concluding words that end the essay on a strong note.
Now you have all the necessary information to write a great opinion essay. Make sure you follow these very well, and you’ll have no problem writing it!

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

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Deniz Akcaoglu
Content editor and writer. Probably out there trying to get into an obscure band she actually hates the sound of.