How to write an opinion essay example

When you first get assigned to write an opinion essay, you may feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry. Writing an opinion essay is not as difficult as it sounds. After you learn what an opinion essay actually is and how to write an opinion essay step-by-step, you’ll feel a lot more confident in your own writing abilities. And you’ll be able to show everything you’ve learned about a particular topic while giving your unique opinion on it.

There’s a first time for everything, but in no time, you’ll have a completed opinion essay that you can be proud of.

Writing an opinion essay

 
When you write an opinion essay, you must say what you think about a topic and try to convince the reader of your point of view on that topic. To do that, you should first introduce the topic and state your opinion. Then, you should give three reasons that support your view, and finally, you should write a conclusion where you summarise your arguments and repeat your opinion using different words.
 

Plan your ideas

 
The first thing you need to do is decide whether you agree with the question or statement and then make a list of two or three reasons that support your opinion, including some facts and/or examples. Here is an example:
 

Top sports players are paid too much

Opinion: I disagree.

• Reason 1: Their careers are very short.
  • Fact 1:  their careers usually end in their 30’s.
  • Fact 2: sometimes, they are even shorter because of injuries.
• Reason 2: They lose their privacy.
  • Fact 1: Constantly followed by journalists and fans.
  • Fact 2: Now, everyone uses their phones to take photos and publish them.

Organise your text

 
An opinion essay has three parts:

• Introduction
• Arguments or reasons that support your view.
• Conclusion

Introduction. Paragraph 1

 
Introduce the topic and give your opinion. Say whether you agree or disagree with the statement or question. It can be a good idea to use a question to grab the reader’s attention. Check the two examples below:

Nowadays, top sportspeople, such as football players or basketball players, have huge salaries, and this promotes a lot of debate. However, I don’t think they earn too much. In my opinion, their salaries are fair.

How often have you heard a friend or a colleague complain about the excessive salaries of professional sports players? But do they really earn too much? I don’t think they earn too much. I truly believe their salaries are fair. 

Arguments. Paragraph 2

 
Give the first argument to support your opinion. Include at least two facts or examples to show that your reason makes sense. Check this example:

Firstly, Despite all the money professional sports players earn every year, they work for only a few years – they usually retire when they are in their thirties. In addition, many of them have to retire earlier because they get injured and have to stop playing.

Arguments. Paragraph 3

 
Give more reasons and again provide examples, facts or supporting ideas. For example:

Secondly, sports stars are celebrities, and all celebrities lose their privacy. Journalists, paparazzi and fans follow them everywhere, and they want to get pictures or talk to them all the time. Moreover, now anyone can take photos with their mobile phone and publish them at any moment on their social media accounts.

Conclusion. Paragraph 4

 
Summarise your ideas and repeat your opinion.

To sum up, I believe top professional sports players have the salaries they deserve because their careers are short and because during those years, their personal lives are affected by their popularity.

Useful language

Sequencing your text

 
Use connectors to sequence and structure your ideas:

• Firstly/First of all, …
• Secondly, …
• Thirdly, …
• In addition, …
• Moreover, …
• To sum up

Giving your opinion

 
Expressions you can use to say what you think:

• In my opinion, …
• In my view, …
• I think/feel that …
• I (truly) believe that …
• I am convinced that …
• I agree that …
• I disagree with/about …

Expressing contrast, purpose and reason

 
You may also need or want to use some connectors of contrast, purpose and reason.

• Contrast: although, however, despite, etc.
• Purpose: to, in order to, so that, etc.
• Reason: because (of), since, due to, etc.

Do the Exercices

How do you start an opinion essay?

What are some examples of opinion writing?

What are the 3 parts of opinion writing?

What is the format of opinion writing?