Most of us like to share our views on various topics, for example, what do you think of issues like environmental pollution or global warming or the forgotten value of writing letters? All these topics are vast and each one of these topics warrant an exploration from multiple viewpoints. However, when writing an opinion essay, it is important to keep several things in mind. Let's go through the steps of writing an opinion essay.
Step 1: It is necessary to make a distinction between opinion essay and persuasive essay
In an opinion essay the writer states his opinion and supports it with facts, evidence and examples but he doesn’t try to convince the reader. On the other hand, in a persuasive essay the writer tries to convince the reader to agree with his opinion. The author uses logic and facts, definitions and examples in order to persuade the reader to share his point of view.
Step 2: Basic tips for writing an opinion essay includes
Before starting to write an opinion essay, it is important that you put down an essay outline on paper. This would help you to organise your random thoughts into writing. Moreover, this will help you write the essay faster. Once you have listed down the points, it is now time to start writing the opinion essay. While writing the opinion essay, it is expected that you:
- Introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence, outlining the main ideas.
- Do not write about advantages or disadvantages or points for or against.
- Write in formal style.
There are also certain things you should be mindful about, while writing an opinion essay. When you write an opinion essay, DO NOT:
- Use Colloquial language
- Do not write about advantages or disadvantages or points for or against.
- Write in formal style.
Step 3: Remember to take a stand
When writing an opinion essay it is important to decide which point of view you are going to support. For doing this, you should come up with at least two points that you would support your viewpoint. This is also where you would need to write examples of why you think the alternative point of view is wrong.
Step 4: Once you have completed the first 3 steps it is now time to organise your essay into clear and concise paragraphs. For this you should follow the below example.
Here’s an example of an opinion paper outline:
- An introduction. Write a thesis statement and the reasons that support your opinion. Give your readers a hook to engage them with the topic
- The main body. Break it into several paragraphs where you provide arguments and supporting examples, statements, and facts.
- A conclusion. When ending a paper, restate the main thesis and summarise the central points of the essay.
Step 5: Follow the writing process
For writing an opinion essay, it is essential that you follow the writing process, this process includes:
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- Brainstorming: During this stage, it is important that you understand the topic well and come up with ideas and put them on paper
- Planning: In the planning stage you need to group similar ideas together and eliminate ideas that are irrelevant.
- Fast writing: This step requires you to quickly jot down the points for each of your main ideas, these sentences need not be complete sentences
- Drafting: Here you would begin writing and organise the points.
- Improving: Read what you have written, mark the things you need to improve, add connectors to join the sentences, check spelling and grammar.
