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.
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
- Supporting evidence
- Facts/ Examples
Body Paragraph 3
- Write a topic sentence with the third reason
- Supporting evidence
- Facts/ Examples
Conclusion
- 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.
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 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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