How to Write an Opinion Essay?

Crafting an opinion essay demands keen attention and a dedicated analytical approach. The writer also has to know how to apply a range of persuasive techniques and be proficient in academic writing in general. 

If any of the above sounds difficult or even scary, welcome to the current guide! On a few pages, we have gathered all the essential information and plenty of practical guidelines on writing a perfect opinion paper from scratch.       

What is Opinion Writing

Opinion writing is the type of academic work, in which we express our opinion on a given subject. In essence, the writer exposes the reader to a particular idea or thought, however, such exposure is not the end goal of opinion writing.

The primary goal of opinion writing is to persuade the reader to share the author’s opinion. For this purpose, the writer uses various persuasive techniques and demonstrates deep knowledge of the given subject field and skills in competent and literate writing. 

The following persuasive techniques are often used in opinion writing:

To maximize the effectiveness of opinion writing, writers use strong and compelling language and apply various linguistic devices, including vivid imagery, metaphors, refrains, and others. Besides, proper opinion writing utilizes first-person pronouns (e.g., “I,” “we”) to create a sense of intimacy and a personal connection with the target audience.

Finally, when preparing for opinion writing, one must know where to find and how to apply evidence and logical arguments – all for the sake of convincing the readers of the utmost validity of the author’s opinion.

Topic Ideas for Opinion Writing

The significance of selecting a captivating topic for your essay cannot be overstated. It is one of the paramount determinants of your essay’s success, deserving substantial consideration. Ideally, you should seek a topic that aligns with the following criteria with the guidance of essay writing help:

• Personal interest: something you feel passionate about, and of which you have significant knowledge;
• Relevance: find the topic that is “hot”, widely discussed in public or in your social group/school class, and matches the interests of your audience;
• Controversy: it should be controversial and debatable so that the readers would be curious to know your opinion;
• Research potential: ideally, you should be able to find plenty of support material on your topic and your position/pinion;
• Uniqueness: avoid clichéd, or overused topics; select unique topics or at least offer fresh perspectives on a familiar issue. 

What Are the Requirements of an Opinion Essay?

Structure of Opinion Essay 

This essay type belongs to the average length essays, which are often called 5-paragraph essays. These consist of one introductory, three main body, and one summarizing paragraph. It is just a general guideline, and students are free to make their essays longer, comprising five or more body paragraphs, or shorter, i.e., two paragraphs.

The Format Requirements

Any decent opinion essay example will be written with standard 1-inch margins on all sides, using 12-size font and double-spacing between the lines.

No title page or bibliography list is required, though proper in-text referencing is a must. Writers need to back up their arguments and reasoning with credible data, including reputable external sources, and authoritative opinions. 

How to Start an Opinion Essay

Once the topic is selected, most students immediately rush into writing the essay’s text. This approach is only seemingly simpler, as saving time on preparation, and starting writing “cold”, often leads to a brain freeze when the writer is stuck at the very first paragraph lacking ideas to move forward.

A far superior way to start an opinion writing is by making an outline. On a separate piece of paper or the first page of an electronic document, you should write down the approximate contents of every structural element of your essay. 

For example, let’s take the topic of “The Role of Technology in Shaping the Modern Society”, and make an outline for it:  

1. Introduction (one paragraph):
   • The “hook”: picture this: a family gathers for the NY celebration, everyone deeply submerged into their smartphone, tapping away without sharing a word. When did technology reincarnate from a tool of connection into one of isolation?
   • Background: technology was initially meant to make people closer to each other.
   • Thesis statement: technology is making people lonely.
2. Main Body:
   • Argument 1 (one paragraph): the convenience factor – how automation has made life more convenient, but also more isolated.
   • Argument 2 (one paragraph): the effect of digital communication on face-to-face interactions.
   • Argument 3 (one paragraph): discuss how the increased entertainment possibilities have led to passive leisure activities and isolated ways of living.
   • Counterargument (one paragraph): video calls, virtual reality apps, and penetration of mobile networks to remote areas of the world – all make people more interconnected. 
3. Conclusion (one paragraph):
   • Recap the three main arguments supporting the thesis statement.
   • Offer the reader to think about the near future of technology, e.g., the role of AI.     

Peculiarities of a Thesis Statement

The opinion essay format stipulates the presence of a thesis statement. Due to the nature of the genre, the thesis should clearly state the writer’s opinion on the chosen issue. In most other essay types, the writers would start their theses with the following words:

“In this essay, I will discuss/review/focus…”

However, in opinion writing, a thesis should begin with the following:

“I think/I believe that…”, or “In my opinion/In my mind…”

Such opening phrases underline the writer’s intent to share their opinion on a given subject. 

The Role of Counterarguments

In other essay types like narrative, expository, or descriptive, counterarguments play an important yet not critical role. However, in opinion writing, counterarguments play a leading role – they reinforce and solidify the writer’s main arguments. By openly discussing and refuting counterarguments with expertise and facts, the writer gives more value to the main arguments supporting the thesis. 

If you are still wondering how to write opinion paragraph addressing counterarguments, and whether you should write it at all, consider weighing all the pros and cons of this undertaking.

Pros and Cons of Addressing Counterarguments:

Master Tips on Opinion Essay Writing

Finally, check out this consolidated list of our best tips on opinion writing:

• Select the topic based on personal interest, research potential, and uniqueness. 
• Prepare an outline to alleviate the challenges of starting ‘cold’.
• Use multiple persuasive techniques in a single essay to effectively influence the reader.
• Use strong and compelling language.
• Utilize first-person pronouns.
• A thesis statement must clearly state your opinion on the given subject.
• Carefully consider all the pros and cons before introducing counterarguments.
• In conclusion, recap only the existing arguments, but avoid bringing any new ones.

Final Thoughts

Opinion writing is an excellent way to train your ability to influence other people with weighted reasoning and analytical thinking. Rather than explicitly persuading the audience to adopt your viewpoint, opinion writing challenges you to present a persuasive argument, often delving into the complexities of counterarguments. This nuanced approach not only enhances your credibility but also presents you as a knowledgeable person, but also sharpens your critical thinking skills, and prepares you for whatever communication challenges your life might bring.