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Home » How To Write An Opinion Essay? Definition, Tips, And Examples. 

How To Write An Opinion Essay? Definition, Tips, And Examples. 

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Writing an opinion essay doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, it can be quite enjoyable. An opinion essay is relatively easy to write, as you simply state your opinion on a topic and provide reasons and examples to support it.

People love sharing their opinions, even if they are not asked for them! This natural tendency makes writing an opinion essay a breeze. However, there are still a few things you should keep in mind to make sure your essay is successful.

Opinion essay definition and its components

An opinion essay is a type of formal writing in which the author states and supports their opinion on a topic. The main goal of an opinion essay is to share your opinion with a reader. You should write in your own words and use supporting arguments and examples to back up your opinion.

You can achieve this by providing your opinion in a clear, logical way.

Opinion paper and persuasive essay difference

The main difference is that an opinion essay requires the author to share his personal opinion on a topic, whereas a persuasive paper seeks to convince the reader to adopt the same opinion.

Both types of essays are similar in that they both require you to state and support your opinion. However, a persuasive paper will go one step further and also try to persuade the reader to adopt your opinion.

In order to do this, you will need to use even stronger evidence and more convincing language.

Choosing an opinion essay topic

The secret of choosing a good opinion essay topic is quite simple:

You need to find a topic that you are passionate about and one that you have strong feelings about during the pre-writing phase.

The best way to find such a topic is to brainstorm with someone else – a friend or family member, for example. Such topics are usually related to politics, religion, morality, ethics, or controversial social issues.

Once you have come up with a list of potential topics, take some time to think about which one you would most like to write about. Try to narrow down your list to a single, specific topic.

How to support your arguments with evidence

It is essential to support your opinion with evidence when writing an opinion essay. This could be in the form of statistics, expert opinions, or real-life examples.

The evidence you use should be credible and relevant, and it should be used to back up your argument in a logical way. Remember to reference any sources you use so that the reader can check them for themselves.

If you don’t know where to find evidence to support your argument, try doing a quick internet search or looking through newspapers and academic journals.

Another great way to find evidence is to ask people you know for their opinions on the topic. This could be friends, family, or even people you meet in the street.

Opinion essay outline

The opinion essay structure is similar to the structure of any other college essay. It consists of three major components. Here is an opinion paper outline you can use to write a great essay:

The introduction, in which you state your opinion and provide an overview of the reasons and examples you will use to support it.

The main body, in which you develop your argument and provide evidence to support it.

The conclusion, in which you restate your opinion and sum up the main points of your argument.

Now let’s take a closer look at each of these components.

The introduction 

The opinion essay introduction is where you state your opinion and provide an overview of the reasons and examples you will use to support it. It is essential to make sure that your introduction is clear and concise and that it sets the tone for the rest of your essay.

Your introduction should begin with a “hook” that will grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read more. This could be a question, a statistic, or a famous quote. Check out our essay hook examples to see how you can do this.

After the hook, you should provide a brief overview of the main points of your argument. This will give your reader an idea of what to expect from the rest of your essay.

Finally, you should end your opinion essay introduction with a “thesis statement” that states your opinion on the topic. This should be a clear, concise sentence that states your opinion in a confident way.

Main body 

This is where you develop your argument and provide evidence to support it. Each paragraph should focus on a single point, and you should provide evidence for each point you make. It is recommended to use 2-3 body paragraphs in your essay.

The first body paragraph should focus on your strongest point, while subsequent paragraphs can focus on weaker points.

A good way to structure your body paragraphs is to use the “point, example, explanation” method. First, you state your point with a topic sentence. Second, you provide an example that supports your point. Finally, you explain how this example supports your argument.

It is essential to make sure that your points are relevant to your thesis statement and that they are presented logically. Provide enough evidence to support each point.

If you don’t know what else to say, try adding more examples or expanding on the ones you have already used. Link your points back to the introduction so that your essay flows smoothly.

The conclusion 

The conclusion paragraph is the right place to restate your opinion and sum up the main points of your argument. Make your opinion essay conclusion clear and concise.

Your concluding paragraph should begin with a “summary statement” that sums up the main points of your argument. You should repeat arguments in your opinion essay conclusion. This will remind the reader of your opinion and the reasons you have provided to support it.

After the summary statement, you should restate your opinion in a different way. This will help to reinforce your argument and leave the reader with a lasting impression.

Finally, you should end your concluding paragraph with a “call to action” that encourages the reader to do something or learn more about the topic and suggest consequences if the problem is not addressed properly.

How many pages should an opinion essay be?

An average opinion essay is usually between 1-3 pages but can be longer if necessary. The length of your opinion essay will depend on the complexity of your argument and the number of examples you provide.

If you are writing a longer opinion essay, you can include more than three body paragraphs. However, it is important to make sure that each paragraph has a and that paragraphs are written in a logical sequence.

Common mistakes students make when writing opinion essays

Opinion writing is a common task that students are asked to do in school or college. However, there are some widespread mistakes that students make when writing opinion essays. 

Not reading the prompt carefully

Make sure you understand what the opinion essay prompt is asking before you start writing your essay.

Not having a clear opinion

Your opinion should be stated clearly in your thesis statement. If you are unsure of your opinion, your essay will lack direction and focus. Avoid writing in a “wishy-washy” way. For example, instead of saying, “I think nuclear energy is both good and bad,” try to take a more definitive stance such as “I believe that nuclear energy is a necessary evil.”

Not providing enough evidence

Make sure you provide enough evidence to support each point you make in your essay. Without evidence, your argument will not be convincing.

Using slang and colloquial expressions

Avoid using slang or colloquial expressions in your essay. Use formal language throughout your essay. Try to write in a formal style.

Using formal punctuation

Punctuation is important in opinion writing. Make sure you use correct punctuation throughout your essay. Do not use exclamation marks or contractions (short forms).

Including irrelevant information

Your opinion essay should include only relevant information to your topic. Including irrelevant information will only make your essay weaker.

Failing to edit and proofread

Make sure you edit and proofread your opinion essay before you submit it. Failing to do so may result in a lower grade.

Examples of opinion essay topics

Opinion essays can be written on a variety of topics. Here are some examples of topics you could write an opinion essay about:

1. Should the use of animals for scientific research be banned?

2. Technology has made our lives easier or more difficult?

3. Has globalization had more positive or negative effects on the society?

4. The rise of the sharing economy (such as Airbnb, Uber, etc.) is good or bad for society?

5. Is it better to grow up in a small town or a big city?

6. Should the government do more to protect the environment?

7. Are zoos cruel or necessary?

8. Should schools start later in the morning?

9. Are exams a good way to measure students’ knowledge?

10. Is cheating always wrong?

Opinion essay examples

Let’s have a closer look at opinion essay examples.

Personal opinion essay example for schools

“Is it morally wrong to eat meat?”

Many people believe that it is morally wrong to eat meat because they think that taking the life of an animal for the purpose of consuming its flesh is cruel and barbaric. However, I do not agree with this perspective. I believe that eating meat is not only morally acceptable but also healthy and nutritious.

The primary reason why people believe that it is wrong to eat meat is because they think that it is cruel and barbaric to take the life of an animal for the purpose of consuming its flesh. However, this perspective is biased as animals are naturally designed to be eaten. For example, cows are grass-eating animals, and chickens are meant to eat insects and other small creatures. In fact, when chickens are allowed to roam free in a yard, they will peck at the ground and eat bugs. This is what they are supposed to do.

In addition, most people who argue against eating meat do not consider the fact that raising livestock for consumption is actually much more humane than allowing them to live in the wild. Cows and pigs that are raised for meat are typically given plenty of food and water, and they are allowed to roam around in open pastures. In contrast, wild cows and pigs have to compete for food and water, and they are often subjected to harsh weather conditions.

Furthermore, many people who argue against eating meat claim that consuming animal flesh leads to health problems. However, this claim is not based on scientific evidence. In fact, numerous studies have shown that consuming meat is actually healthy and nutritious. Meat provides our bodies with essential nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc, which are necessary for maintaining good health.

In conclusion, I believe that it is morally acceptable to eat meat. I think that those who argue against eating meat do not have a strong case based on facts and logic. Meat provides our bodies with essential nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc, which are necessary for maintaining good health. In addition, raising livestock for meat is actually much more humane than allowing them to live in the wild. Therefore, I believe that eating meat is both morally acceptable and healthy.

As you can see, this personal opinion paper follows a simple opinion essay format. Introduction, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. The introduction provides the main idea and introduces the essay’s topic.

Each body paragraph provides supporting the author’s opinion. Furthermore, the author uses transition words, such as “Furthermore,” “In Addition,” and “In Conclusion.”

This opinion essay also presents an opposing viewpoint to the author’s opinion. However, the author refutes this viewpoint with logic and facts.

If you are writing a personal opinion paper, you can use personal examples and first-person pronouns, as you can see in the example above. However, if you are writing an opinion paper for academic purposes, you will need to avoid using them.

Less formal writing is acceptable in schools. However, college students should try to find a balance between academic writing style and expression of their personal opinion. Make your opinion essay look like a research paper, supported by facts and evidence from scholarly sources.

Opinion essay example for colleges

“Are humans responsible for global warming?”

It is a commonly accepted idea that humans are the cause of global warming. The Earth has been going through natural cycles of cooling and warming for centuries, but with the industrial revolution and the increase in greenhouse gases from human activity, it has begun to warm rapidly. Scientific findings have shown that the Earth is going through its fastest warming period in recorded history, which can have a devastating effect on the planet.

There is overwhelming evidence that human activity is the main driver of global warming. The scientific evidence indicates that CO2 concentration has increased by 40% since pre-industrial times, and it is now at its highest level in 650,000 years (Sacks et al., 2014). The majority of this increase is from farming and burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil. When fossil fuels are burned, various greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane are released into the atmosphere. They are trapping the sun’s heat, causing the Earth’s temperature to rise.

Scientists have determined that the Earth is going through a rapid and large warming trend, and they attribute this almost entirely to human activity. A study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which is made up of hundreds of the world’s top climate scientists, found that it is “extremely likely” that human activity is the main cause of global warming (Smith et al., 2009). The study also found that natural factors like the sun and volcanoes have had a small cooling effect on the Earth’s temperature over the past century.

There is also evidence that the Earth is going through its warmest period in millennia. Scientists have found that the Earth has been gradually warming since the Little Ice Age, which ended around 1850 (Zhang et al., 2006). However, the rate of warming has accelerated in the past few decades, and it is now happening at an unprecedented rate.

So, if humans are causing global warming, what can mankind do about it? The most important thing that can be done is to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases. One of the possible solutions is to switch to green energy such as solar and wind power and by using more efficient technologies. Emissions can also be reduced by planting trees, which take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen back into it.

While there is still some debate over whether humans are causing global warming, the evidence is overwhelming that human beings are the major reason. Global warming is a real and serious problem needed to be addressed to prevent the devastating consequences to Earth.

References:

Sacks, A. D., Teague, R., Provenza, F., Itzkan, S., & Laurie, J. (2014). Restoring atmospheric carbon dioxide to pre-industrial levels: Re-establishing the evolutionary grassland-grazer relationship. Geotherapy, 155-194.

Smith, J. B., Schneider, S. H., Oppenheimer, M., Yohe, G. W., Hare, W., Mastrandrea, M. D., … & van Ypersele, J. P. (2009). Assessing dangerous climate change through an update of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) “reasons for concern.” Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences106(11), 4133-4137.

Zhang, Y., Chen, W., & Riseborough, D. W. (2006). Temporal and spatial changes of permafrost in Canada since the end of the Little Ice Age. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres111(D22).

As you can see, this opinion piece is more formal. This is a supported opinion essay, and the entire paper is written in an academic writing style. The author’s point is supported with proper referencing, and all the main ideas are provided in a clear and concise manner.

Pay attention that this opinion essay is written in the present tense and doesn’t use imperative voice.

No matter either you are writing an opinion essay for your school or college, make sure to follow our tips to write a successful essay.

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