how to put your own opinion in an essay

10 English Phrases to Express Your Opinion in an Essay

This is a guest post by  Sam Pealing.  Make sure to visit his website EnglishForStudy.com for more academic English help!

I admire international students. Seriously.  If you’re a non-native English speaker doing a degree or doctorate in English, then I take my hat off to you.

I get a lot of questions about writing essays, and I’ve taught hundreds of students how to write effective essays (which get good grades).  One of the most common mistakes that I see is a lack of opinion.

Most of the time, students describe a situation, but they don’t give their opinion or stance. This can really damage your grade because lecturers are always looking for ‘critical thinking’. If you don’t give your opinion in your essays, your lecturers can’t see your critical thinking.

To put it simply: If you don’t put your opinion or stance in an essay, then you’ll probably lose marks.

In this article, you’ll learn 10 effective phrases that you can use to give your opinion in your essay.  I’ve also created a free lesson pack which will help you to practice the phrases in this article. CLICK HERE to download it.

Introducing the Phrases

If you’re looking for a quick fix for your essay, these phrases should help you to start putting your own opinions in your essays.

But, before you rush over to your essays to start putting these phrases in, there’s something you need to know.

If you’re writing an academic essay, you will need to support your opinions with strong evidence . This is especially true if you are using some of the stronger phrases.

This evidence can be a journal article, a lecture, a textbook, or something else which is a trustworthy source of information.

In a more informal essay, like one in an IELTS or TOEFL language test, you don’t need to support your answers with strong evidence. Your experiences or opinions will be enough.

Quick note : I know! You’re ready to see the phrases.

This won’t take long and it’s really important.

1. For these phrases to be really effective, you’ll need to review your grammar. Shayna has some great videos on her Espresso English Youtube channel .

I recommend these:

• Subject/Verb agreement
• Formal and Informal English
• Correcting Grammar Mistakes

2. If you want to know the structure of a good essay paragraph, check my post here .

Informal English Phrases

These phrases are suitable for language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. In an academic essay, these phrases will probably be too informal because they are too personal.

“In my opinion, + [your sentence]”

• In my opinion , a good education is more important than a good car.

“I believe that + [your sentence]”

• I believe that schools should encourage students to walk or cycle to school rather than drive.

“In my mind, + [your sentence]”

• “ In my mind , no-one should have to pay for medical care.”

More Formal Academic Phrases With ‘That’

These phrases are more suitable for academic essays. If you are unsure whether you should use an informal phrase or an academic phrase, use an academic one. If you think your writing might be informal, read this post to learn more.

The patterns here are quite straightforward. Just add your sentence after ‘that’.

“It would seem that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you support your opinion with evidence.

• “ It would seem that children learn best when they are feeling comfortable.”

“It could be argued that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you want to challenge an existing opinion.

• “ It could be argued that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in this situation.”

“This suggests that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you don’t want to fully commit to an opinion. You’re giving yourself some distance.

• “ The evidence suggests that people who speak more than one language have more job opportunities.”

“This proves that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you are confident with your opinion. This phrase is quite strong*

• “ This proves that the best way to lose weight is through a controlled diet and a good exercise program.”

“This supports the idea that + [your sentence]”

Use this one when you are supporting an opinion that you have already made.

• “ This new research supports the idea that successful English learners look for opportunities to use English.”

Other Ways to Express Opinion

“although [idea you disagree with], [idea you agree with]”.

Use this when you want make your opinion seem balanced.

• “ Although reports suggest that cigarettes could help people to lose weight, there are too many serious health problems associated with smoking.”

Note: The ‘ although’ pattern is very effective because it shows two sides of the argument. In the example, I support the idea that smoking is bad for your health –BUT- I recognise that it could have some benefits.

Structure your ‘ although’ sentence like this: Although, [weaker argument you disagree with], [stronger argument you agree with].

Using Adverbs, Adjectives and Nouns

You can use adjectives to show your opinion.

• “This research was poorly conducted with a lack of control .”

The adjective and nouns in the example are negative . You can get some good ideas from this video on Extreme Adjectives . Note: try not to use any emotional adjectives .

Make Your Own Phrases!

Of course, these phrases aren’t the only ones that you can use! You can find more – or – you can create your own by combining different patterns.

Here’s an example of #7, #9 and #10 used together.

“Although it is difficult for older adults to learn a second language, an important study by Smith (2014) proved that the elderly can successfully learn new languages.”

What Should You Do Now?

So now you should have a better idea of how to include more opinions in your essays. But that’s not all; there are probably some new words here that you don’t know.

So here’s what you should do:

• Choose three of the opinion expressions and phrases that you want to try.
• Practice writing sentences using them (if you don’t have a topic, try this: should students do homework? You can see examples of this in the lesson pack )
• Get the Lesson Pack for this lesson (which contains the vocabulary and the phrases from this lesson) CLICK HERE to download it .

Learn more:

• Basic English phrases
• Intermediate English phrases
• Advanced English phrases

About Sam Pealing

Sam Pealing is an English language coach who specialises in two important areas: 1. helping you to get great grades at university, and 2. helping you to become an effective and confident English user. If you’re feeling frustrated or confused with English, Sam has created the perfect email course for you! You can join his course here –or- you can read more by him on English For Study .

Get corrections on your written English:

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Hi, I’m Shayna. I create courses helping English as a Second Language learners become more fluent in just a few minutes a day – so they can speak English naturally and confidently in work and daily life.

Academic Writing: How to Express Your Personal Opinion

von Öykü Coskun | Donnerstag, November 22, 2018 | Learn , Writing effectively | 2 Kommentare

In certain writing tasks that you are required to do for university, for example essays, you will be asked to give your opinion on the topic at hand. There are several different ways to do this: A distinction is made between expressions and phrases that emphasize your views explicitly and those that reflect your opinion implicitly. In this article, you can find out which expressions are best in which context and how to create variety.

While it is possible to say that, as a general rule, implicit expressions that reflect your opinion in a more subtle way are mostly preferred in academic writing, there are also cases in which it might be useful to overtly state your view by using phrases that contain the personal pronouns “I” and “my” to make clear that it is your point of view that you are focusing on right now. Thus, there is no such rule as “Never include “I” in essays.” The key is to use these kinds of expressions when they suit your purpose, so for instance when you clearly want to distance yourself from a certain view. Moreover, avoiding “I” can lead to awkwardness and vagueness, so  it can sometimes be more effective to use the first person. Personal pronouns unmistakably show when and where exactly you are building on or departing from your sources of information. Thus, they underline the originality of your ideas and views, which, in turn, improves your writing style.

While this only applies to some academic fields and text types, as far as the Humanities and essays or term papers are concerned, it is generally considered appropriate to use the first person, as your instructor will be interested in reading your original analyses and interpretations. But beware: Don’t confuse giving your personal opinion with writing about your personal experience! Your experiences and anecdotes do not have any place in academic term papers whatsoever, whereas they might be included in some contexts for example when you are asked to write a more personal and less academic text in your language classes. To make sure, always ask your instructor.

Moreover, you should be aware of the fact that some expressions more convincingly underline your assertions than others and that your arguments will always need sufficient explanations and defense. Hence, expressions such as “I think that…” or “I believe that…” , which we often find in speech but less in academic writing, are weaker and less convincing than “I assert that…”, “I am convinced that…”, “I have no doubt that…” or “I hold the impression/ view that…”.

Furthermore, we often find the phrases “In my opinion, …” and “In my view, …” in academic writing and professional reports. To a lesser extent, we have expressions such as “To my mind,…” , From my point of view” and “As far as I am concerned” ; These three phrases are also rather used in speech than in writing.

Another useful way of explicitly stating your opinion is to employ structures that contain adjectives, such as “I consider it important/ crucial/ essential/ useful/ likely/ … to …” or “I deem it necessary/ proper/ appropriate/ … to …” . If you are not quite so adamant about your opinion yourself, you can also utilize weaker expressions such as “I am under the impression that …” , “I suppose that …” , “I assume that …” , “I presume that …” or “I conjecture that …” .

Impersonal expressions, on the other hand, reflect your opinion implicitly. Again, there is the possibility to use structures that contain evaluative adjectives, as is the case with phrases like “It is convenient/ difficult/ hard/ impossible/ reasonable/ easy/ … to …” or “It is apparent/ arguable/ doubtful/ obvious/ remarkable/ desirable/ noteworthy/ conceivable/ … that …” .

In your academic texts, you can furthermore employ structures that consist of “It is worth + present participle of a verb + that”, frequently used collocations being “It is worth examining/ investigating/ remembering/ recalling/ noting/ stressing/ pointing out/ emphasizing/ … that …”. There are moreover evaluative adverbs that stress your opinion, examples for this being “Interestingly, …” , “Arguably, …” , “Obviously, …” , “Evidently, …” , and “Surprisingly, …” .

As you can see, there are plenty of possibilities to express your personal opinion in your academic writing tasks and to create variety in doing so. Including different types of phrases and varying expressions while sticking to the requirements of the writing task at hand will improve your overall writing style.

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Writing Center: „Should I Use ‚I‘?“
• Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners (2007): „E. Expressing Personal Opinions.“ London: Macmillan, IW 15-16.

2 Kommentare

Your approach and research is significant and appreciative.Applause for you..

I found this article extremely helpful. I found myself struggling writing essays when it came to professionally asserting my opinion or thought. This really outlined some great practices!! Thank you.

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How to Express “In My Opinion” Academically: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on effectively expressing your opinion in an academic setting. Whether you’re writing an essay, engaging in a class discussion, or presenting a research paper, it’s crucial to convey your thoughts clearly and professionally. In this guide, we will explore formal and informal ways to express your opinion academically, highlighting tips and providing numerous examples to assist you in mastering this skill. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

The Importance of Expressing Your Opinion in an Academic Setting

Before we delve into the different ways to express your opinion, let’s understand the significance of doing so in academic contexts. Sharing your perspective is not only a common academic practice but also an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking skills, engage in intellectual discussions, and contribute to the knowledge pool of your field. It allows you to establish your own voice while respectfully acknowledging existing academic discourse.

Formal Ways to Express Your Opinion

When expressing your opinion in a formal academic setting, it is important to use appropriate language and tone. Here are some phrases and strategies to help you achieve this:

1. Using Hedging Language

Hedging language allows you to convey your opinion while recognizing the potential for multiple perspectives. It demonstrates humility and an awareness of academic uncertainty. Here are some examples:

• It could be argued that increasing funding for education positively impacts student performance.
• In my view , the evidence suggests a correlation between climate change and extreme weather events.
• There is some evidence to suggest that implementing stricter gun control measures may lead to a decrease in gun-related violence.

2. Utilizing Academic Modals

Modal verbs can add a level of formality to your opinion while acknowledging differing viewpoints. Examples of academic modals include:

• It may/might be argued that the current economic policies are detrimental to small businesses.
• One could reasonably conclude that social media has revolutionized communication methods.
• There seems to be a consensus among researchers that exercise plays a vital role in maintaining good mental health.

3. Referring to Scholarly Sources

Supporting your opinion with references to scholarly sources lends credibility and strengthens your argument. Here’s how you can incorporate this approach:

• According to Smith (2018) , the impact of technology on personal relationships has been a subject of extensive research.
• In a recent study by Johnson et al. (2020) , evidence suggests a positive correlation between vaccination rates and lower instances of infectious diseases.
• A scholarly consensus exists that the early childhood education sector requires significant investment for optimal outcomes (Brown, 2016).

Informal Ways to Express Your Opinion

While formality is often expected in academic writing, there may be occasions where a less rigid approach is appropriate. Here are some informal ways to express your opinion:

1. Utilizing Personal Pronouns

Using personal pronouns can create a more conversational tone and make your opinion more relatable. Examples of personal pronouns include:

• In my opinion , the main goal of education should be fostering critical thinking skills.
• I believe it is essential to promote renewable energy sources to combat environmental issues.
• From my point of view , literature plays a significant role in shaping societal values.

2. Making Comparisons and Superlatives

Adding comparisons and superlatives can inject passion and emphasis into your opinion, making it more engaging. Consider these examples:

• Undoubtedly , investing in early childhood education yields the highest long-term benefits for society.
• In comparison to traditional teaching methods, incorporating technology enhances student engagement and comprehension.
• Clearly , a comprehensive healthcare system is superior to a fragmented one.

3. Giving Examples and Analogies

Providing examples and analogies helps to clarify and support your opinion in an informal manner. Take a look at the following examples:

• For instance , the recent increase in online learning platforms has made education more accessible to marginalized communities.
• Analogously , just as exercise strengthens the body, reading expands the mind.
• Picture a society where everyone has equal access to quality healthcare – that’s a society worth striving for.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, expressing your opinion academically is an indispensable skill for any student or scholar. Regardless of the formal or informal nature of your academic setting, it is essential to convey your thoughts clearly, respectfully, and substantiated by evidence when possible. By using hedging language, academic modals, scholarly references, personal pronouns, comparisons, superlatives, examples, and analogies, you can effectively articulate your standpoint while complying with the expected academic standards of your field. Remember, confidently voicing your opinion not only aids your academic growth but also fosters intellectual discussions and contributes to the overall advancement of knowledge within your subject area.

We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights and practical strategies to express your opinion academically. Now go forth, confidently share your thoughts, and embrace the academic discourse of your chosen field.

Related Guides:

• Guide: How to Express the Opinion that Your Opinion Doesn’t Matter
• How to Say a Lot Academically: A Comprehensive Guide with Tips and Examples
• How to Say Struggling Academically in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide
• Guide: How to Say Thank You Academically
• Guide: How to Say “Vice Versa” Academically
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• Guide: How to Express “In My Opinion” Formally and Informally
• How to Express Your Opinion in Third Person: A Comprehensive Guide

About The Author

Maggie Lorraine

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write an Opinion Essay + Examples

A personal opinion essay is an essential part of an educational process. Wherever you study, you will surely come across this kind of work. And if you’re stuck with finding ideas, you have come to the right place. In this article, you will learn all the intricacies of writing and get some good opinion essay topics.

Let’s start!

🤔 What Is an Opinion Essay?

🖊️ how to write an opinion essay.

• 🔗 Linkers and Transition Words

💡 Opinion Essay Ideas

👨‍🎓 opinion essay examples.

An opinion essay is a type of work that involves the expression of one’s own opinion, which has become the product of processing facts and arguments. However, this does not mean there should be no argumentation in the essay. It will be a big plus if you have a couple of examples from your own life or the lives of historical figures, illustrating some facts in your stock. Writing an opinion essay requires the author to clearly state his thoughts on any occasion, without excessive water and long reasoning.

Among other things, it should be remembered that, technically, an opinion essay is a formal type of work that many graduates write at the end of their studies. And this means it has its structure and specific writing rules that must be adhered to. To fully understand the meaning of this type of work, try reading a couple of our free essay samples .

❓ What Are the Characteristics of an Opinion?

The opinion is an entirely subjective position formed due to the influence of certain factors on the mind. It can be characterized as a personal judgment, point of view, and not an exact fact. However, an opinion can be valid only if it is supported by actual knowledge. Otherwise, it can be called more of a guess.

❓ What Is a Supported Opinion Essay?

An essay based on a person’s personal opinion implies a clear statement of the author’s thoughts on a specific topic. However, to show understanding of the problem, one should rely on facts, research, or examples from life. A supported opinion essay is precisely when the author’s opinion is based on objective factors.

🎯 The Purpose of an Opinion Essay

An opinion essay is an excellent tool for teaching students how to express their position correctly. And also to test the depth of their knowledge and thinking. An opinion essay can help you to boost your skills:

• Ability to convey your thoughts . Regardless of the topic of the essay, the teacher wants to see that his wards, leaving the educational institution, will be independent individuals. Therefore, the student needs to show the ability to convey their thoughts on any occasion.
• Competent writing skills . Even in the modern world, writing skills do not lose their relevance. This type of work allows you to form it as efficiently as possible. So if you want to impress your boss, remember to pay attention to grammar and punctuation.
• Topic knowledge . Unfortunately, there is no error-free way to test a student’s ability. However, opinion essays allow the teacher to examine everyone and ensure that the topic has been mastered. This is especially true for subjects such as history and literature.

And, of course, you should understand that the purpose of any text is to be read. So just be creative, and you will have a fantastic essay!

🗝️ Key Features of an Opinion Essay

Like any other type of writing, an opinion essay has characteristics that make it unique. And, of course, to compose a competent text, you need to know about them.

• Focus on the author’s clear and well-reasoned subjective opinion . All proofs, as well as the conclusion, are based on it.
• Logical-based structure . Moreover, it entirely depends on the intentions of the writer.
• Examples and arguments come primarily from personal experience . However, an author may use history and social life quotes and examples of literary heroes to prove their position.
• Speech instruments used . As an author, you will benefit significantly from using a variety of speech constructs . They can help you influence other people. Connecting constructs and clear speech will keep the reader interested and get the most out of the reader.

You just need to get used to all the features to get a little practice. You will succeed!

⚖️ Argumentative, Opinion or Persuasive Essay: the Difference

Before proceeding directly to writing the text, it is worth learning one more important thing. Even towards the end of high school, many people confuse opinion and persuasive essays. These papers look similar.

To help you distinguish the argumentative, opinion, and persuasive essays, we prepare a table of comparisons where you can easily indicate the difference between these papers:

Now let’s move on to which sections the essay consists of and how it should be written. You can safely use this information as a synopsis when completing the assignment.

So, the first one!

📃 Opinion Essay Format

As mentioned earlier, a specific opinion essay structure must be followed. Therefore, before you prepare writing, make up a small outline, which will contain all the components of the text and your ideas for their content. So, how to start an opinion essay?

How Many Paragraphs is an Opinion Essay?

The standard structure consists of four main parts: an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Nevertheless, if it is not specified in the assignment, it can deviate slightly from such a system. It is pretty standard practice to write three or more body paragraphs. Conversely, if one section fully covers the topic, then the need for other explanations may disappear.

Opinion Essay Introduction

Of course, any text starts with a short opening. This section should summarize the essence of the problem you are writing about. The main task of the introduction is to entice the audience and familiarize them with the paper’s main topic. Therefore, by the first paragraph, a person will build an impression of your talents.

Moreover, remember that the introduction should be catchy. How to write a hook for an opinion essay? In simple words, this is a proposal that should interest the reader and draw his attention. It should be subject-related and relatively accurate. All you have to do is show the reader that the topic of the essay will be critical and even touch it.

Let’s take a look at some opinion essay introduction examples from our authors, in which you can see all the listed components:

• As Ronald Reagan said in one of his speeches, everyone who advocates abortion has been born. The topic of abortion is very controversial, and people still cannot come to a standard solution. That is why, in this abortion opinion essay, I will try to sort out my thoughts and answer whether abortion is a panacea or a hidden evil.
• Global warming is a global problem. As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez aptly put it, we cannot sit back while our planet is on fire. But can one person influence the fate of all humanity? I think so, and in this essay, I will try to explain my position

Of course, these examples are conditional, and you can change them as you need to achieve a quality result.

Opinion Essay: Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the final sentence of an introduction . It is an integral part of the entire text. And if your essay will be evaluated, then the absence of the thesis will significantly underestimate the point. So how do you write the last sentence competently so that the reader will like it?

At its core, in the thesis, you should summarize everything that you indicated in the introduction and, in a nutshell, make it clear what will be discussed. You are expected to state your position on the issue clearly. And then, the entire text should be directed precisely to reinforce your words.

For example, take this essay topic: “ Is globalization a positive phenomenon? ” In this case, a good thesis would be “ In my opinion, globalization has many more advantages than disadvantages. ”

See how one small phrase can dramatically improve your overall performance score. Therefore, pay due attention to it!

Opinion Essay: Body Paragraphs

Finally, you come to the main body of your essay, namely the argumentation. The body paragraphs of an opinion essay are aimed at correctly explaining the author’s position to the audience. Here you are expected to have good arguments and examples that will become your assistants in proving your case.

Body paragraphs have two parts: an argument and an example supporting what you said. For example, you might say that the lack of responsibility for actions leads to the corruption of the mind and soul. And as an explanation to these words, briefly support your statement with the story of the protagonist of the novel by Jack London, “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

Moreover, no one limits the number of these same arguments, and often it depends on the maximum volume of the text itself. The standard case is two good arguments, supported by examples from life or literature. Then you can be sure that the reader will correctly understand your idea.

🔗 Linkers and Transitional Words for Opinion Essay

Connecting structures are an invisible companion for the reader throughout the entire essay. They are also called linkers or transitional words . At their core, these two concepts mean the exact phrases. Their task is to make the text more readable and smoothly translate the reader from one idea to another. Moreover, all these constructions are divided into subgroups depending on their purpose. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples of good transition words for an opinion essay:

• In my opinion…
• It is clear that…, etc.
• It is widely known that…
• It is a well-known fact that…
• Research has shown that…
• There are definitely…
• It is a fact that…, etc.

There are also brilliant linkers for opinion essays on these themes:

• In spite of…
• However, etc.
• To conclude…
• In conclusion…, etc.

Using these constructions, you will significantly increase the consistency of your text and help the reader to perceive it better.

Now that you have a basic understanding of writing an essay, let’s look at some good opinion essay topics. Feel free to use them for your creative work and get good points.

💡 30 Opinion Essay Prompts

So, our team has selected 30 excellent opinion essay topics for you. Look for what resonates in your soul and get to work!

• Opinion essay: success in life depends on being successful at school. Many of us were assured that it is impossible to reach heights without a good performance at school. What do you think about it?
• Mobile phone addiction is the scourge of the 21st century. Give arguments from your life and tell about personal experiences.
• Opinion essay about GMO : pros and cons. For many, this topic remains a secret. It’s time to dispel all inaccuracies and find out the whole truth.
• Should university study be free? What is your position?
• Opinion essay about technologies in our life . What impact do they have?
• Compulsory vaccination : pros and cons. If you have any personal experience with this topic, feel free to share it.
• Opinion on abortion essay: do people have the right to choose?
• US neutrality in World War II : what would have gone differently?
• Opinion essay about video games. Is it an addiction or just leisure ? What do you think?
• Does the motivation from famous people have an effect, or is it a dummy? Do you have an opinion on this matter?
• Essay opinion on junk food : how dangerous it is. Everyone was warned that junk food and junk food kill the body, but maybe it’s all about the quantity?
• Parenting is the foundation of a child’s success. Do you think that the parents are responsible for the future education and work of their child?
• Opinion essay: buy nothing day or Black Friday sales. What do you choose and why?
• The advantages of living in a metropolis and a small town . Which would you choose?
• Essay: opinion about global warming . Do you think this is a real threat, or is it just a panic among people?
• Homemade food or dining out in restaurants? What do you and your family prefer?
• Social media impact opinion essay. Billions of people spend their time on social media. What consequences can this have for humanity?
• Consequences of increasing the budget for road construction. How will this affect our cities?
• Opinion essay: television promotes violence through broadcasting abusive behavior. Do you agree with this thesis?
• Humanity is destroying the ecosystem and making the earth uninhabitable. What arguments can be for and against?
• Opinion essay about homework : is this system outdated? How do you feel about this from a student’s point of view?
• Artists and internet bloggers make vast amounts of money. Do you support this?
• Opinion essay about racism in modern life. What are the dangers of this behavior? Tell us about your personal experience or give an example from the community’s life.
• Some people dream of changing their place of residence. Do you think that moving to another country will help you in self-realization?
• The best profession to choose opinion essay. What are your thoughts? Where would you like to be after finishing your studies?
• People prefer online communication over live communication. How do you feel about this trend?
• Opinion essay about same-sex marriages. For some people, this is unacceptable. What do you think about it?
• How can movies and television affect human behavior ? Do you think certain viewing films should be limited for people with a weak mentality?
• Opinion essay about immigration . Should the state provide maximum assistance to everyone who wants to get into it?
• Should people be allowed to carry weapons with them? What restrictions can be used, in your opinion?

These themes are ideal for getting good results.

Now let’s look at some small sample essays from our authors. You can see all the listed components and highlight some interesting ideas for yourself!

Climate change opinion essay, truth or fiction? (250 words)

Climate change has been heading the news for decades. Almost everyone is puzzled by this problem in the modern world, but is there any reason to believe that this is just exaggerated media panic? I think not, and in this essay, I will try to explain my position. The first thing worth paying attention to is the changes that we can see every day. But nature is changing, and this is noticeable with the naked eye. For example, you can look at how the temperature regime has changed over the past decades. In my region, real winter began in the last days of November. Then the temperature dropped to zero, and there was already snow outside the window. However, I would be thrilled to see snowfall this year, at least at Christmas. This raises questions about the veracity of statements from the media and various organizations. You should also look at the publicly available facts. International organizations conduct ongoing research, which clearly shows that the climate is changing, and it is difficult to fix it. One of the most respected teams, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), regularly issues climate change reports. And in them, you can see what reasons for this and what it can lead to. This is excellent and detailed work that deserves everyone’s attention. In summary, we can say that climate change can be seen with the naked eye. This problem affects all people on the planet, and to ignore it is to expose yourself to great danger. Humanity is destroying our world, and can we deny it?

Opinion on death penalty essay, is it moral? (300 words)

Many international treaties have long banned the death penalty, but this does not prevent several countries from regularly using it against criminals. I think this is a terrible practice that has no place in our civilized world. The argument for this may be the simple idea that every creature has a right to life. And this right cannot be taken away under any condition because you can take a dangerous path by creating an incident. One Russian scientist Andrei Sakharov spoke very accurately about this: “The existence of the institution of the death penalty dehumanizes society. I spoke out and am opposed to the death penalty also because this punishment provides for the presence of a constantly terrible apparatus of executors, the whole institution of the death penalty ”. I fully support his words because there is no reason not to kill the second after killing once. It should also be understood that people sentenced to death are not always, in fact, guilty. There is a miscarriage of justice, and no one can be insured against it. The most resonant was the story from 1949. Timothy Evans was hanged on charges of murdering his pregnant wife and two-year-old daughter. Four years later, it wasn’t until serial killer John Christie, who had testified in court against Evans, confessed to the murder. He was hanged, and Timothy Evans was posthumously rehabilitated. The Timothy Evans case is one of the most remarkable stories in the death penalty dispute. To summarize, I can say that there are many reasons for the absolute ban on the death penalty in the world. This is not only inhuman but can lead to unnecessary deaths. Fighting crime in this way, the people who defend the law themselves break it.

Opinion essay on smoking: should the state intervene? (300 words)

Smoking is a global problem. Experts predict that in the coming decades, the number of smokers will reach one billion people worldwide. In my opinion, governments should take strict measures to limit nicotine use among the population. Firstly, smoking poses enormous hardships for addicts. All this can increase the number of cancer patients and people suffering from heart and lung diseases. At the same time, it can be tough to give up cigarettes on your own. We all understand that nicotine in quantities that a person receives from cigarettes is not characteristic of the body. Therefore, our body can react in an extraordinary way to its appearance. An example may well be my family, suffering from heart problems for several generations. All men, from my great-grandfather to my father, visit doctors all the time. And they all have one reason – excessive smoking. At the same time, they cannot quit smoking on their own due to a banal addiction. Secondly, smokers can damage the health of other people nearby. It is a well-known fact that secondhand smoke is no less harmful than the regular use of nicotine. And unfortunately, non-smokers, in most cases, have no choice. You can see it yourself in everyday life. People who are forced to breathe smoke while sitting at bus stops or in public places simply cannot do anything about it. The only way to help them is to introduce more and more restrictions from the state. So, in conclusion, we can say that smoking is not only a problem for the person addicted to cigarettes. Everyone suffers from this, from his family to strangers around him. Unfortunately, these difficulties cannot be resolved on their own. But is the state and society doing enough to help people with addiction?

📎 References

• Basic Essay Structure. Port. Ac
• An opinion essay. British Council
• How to Write an Opinion Based Essay. UCT Language Centre
• Recognizing Transitions. MPC.Edu
• Writing Your Paper: Transitions. EWU.Edu
• Conclusion – How to write an essay. University of Newcastle
• Writing a thesis statement. IELTS Buddy
• CCSS Argument versus Opinion Writing
• Essay Structure. Harvard College Writing Centre

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65 Useful Phrases for Expressing Opinions in English

You have lots of wonderful opinions, but you don’t know how to say them?

That’s got to change. After all, an opinion is a personal belief based on your thoughts, feelings and experiences. It’s your individual perspective—your unique view of the world. Because of this, stating your opinion is an important skill to have in English.

In this post, I’m going to teach you exactly how to express your opinion, make your opinion stronger, explain your opinion, conclude your opinion and lastly, ask someone else about their opinion. And I’ll include a list of useful English phrases to use to accomplish these goals.

Phrases for Expressing Your Opinion

Making your statement stronger, phrases for agreeing with someone’s opinion, phrases for disagreeing with someone’s opinion, phrases for explaining your opinion, phrases for concluding your opinion, asking for someone’s opinion, tips for expressing your opinion in english, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Expressing your opinion is important, especially with friends and colleagues. To do so easily, check out this list of functional phrases:

• In my opinion…
• From my perspective…
• Personally, I believe…
• I feel that…
• It seems to me that…
• I am of the view that…
• As far as I’m concerned…
• I’m inclined to think that…
• If you ask me…
• I hold the opinion that…
• It’s my belief that…

This phrase is slightly formal and is used more in writing or debating.

• I have a strong feeling that…
• It’s clear to me that…
• In my experience…
• It’s my contention that…

This is formal and is usually reserved for professional settings.

• I am convinced that…

This phrase is good for expressing a very long held belief.

• I think that…
• My take on this is…
• In my eyes…
• I’m of the mind that…
• I think…
• I feel like…

This is a good casual phrase to use with friends and family.

• I believe that…

This phrase can be used for larger opinions, say, your feelings on marriage or some other big issue.

• What I mean is…

This is a good phrase to use to clarify your opinion further.

You can make your opinion statement stronger by adding adverbs such as: really, truly, strongly, absolutely, completely, utterly, totally, unquestionably, certainly, fully, unarguably and decidedly.

Here are a couple of examples:

• I truly believe that the American Dream is at risk.
• I feel strongly that all men deserve universal healthcare.
• I really like this movie.

Sometimes, two or more people have the same opinion. In such cases, this is how you express your agreement with them.

• Yes, definitely!
• I feel the same way.
• I agree with you.
• That’s a very valid point.
• I think what you said is true.
• You’re right!

There may be situations when you disagree with someone on certain topics.

That’s when you have to politely express your disagreement while avoiding an argument or fight.

You have to make the listener realize that while you heard and understood what they said, you don’t agree and have a different opinion.

• I understand.
• I see your point.
• That makes sense.
• I couldn’t agree more.
• You’ve got a good point there.
• I’m on the same page as you.
• Let’s agree to disagree, shall we?

This last funny phrase means that you feel that you and the person you’re talking to are never going to agree on this issue, so you decide to move on to another subject. You’re agreeing that you disagree on the issue. It’s a good phrase to use to avoid an argument.

In several situations, such as in meetings and group discussions, we’re asked to explain our opinions. There are many ways of doing this.

• My reasons are…
• Firstly… secondly… thirdly…

We can simply state or list our reasons (firstly, secondly, thirdly) in a certain way, like in this example:

Firstly , horror movies are scary. Secondly , I don’t believe in ghosts. Thirdly , I can’t sleep after watching scary movies!

• Moreover…
• In addition to…
• Most importantly…
• Another example is…
• Mostly because…

You can also use conjunctions (such as because) or other connecting words and phrases to explain thoughts in a logical manner.

After you’ve stated an opinion, you may want to conclude the topic.

You can do that using these phrases:

• In conclusion…
• From this, we can conclude…
• To sum up…
• This proves that…
• What do you think?

Asking a question is a great way to wrap up your own argument.

• That is why…
• Can you suggest an alternative?

It’s important to ask others’ opinions, too.

You can use these handy phrases to easily do that:

• What do you think about…?
• How do you feel about…?
• What is your opinion on…?
• In your view, is…?
• What are your thoughts on…?
• Could you share your perspective on…?
• Do you have any views on…?
• What is your take on…?
• Would you mind telling me your opinion about…?
• What is your stance on…?
• Can you give me your impression of…?
• What do you believe about…?
• Are you of the opinion that…?
• Do you think that…?
• How would you evaluate…?

Before diving into common phrases, here are some tips that’ll help you express your opinion in English as well as improve your speaking and writing skills .

• Keep a diary to talk about your feelings/opinions . Make it a point to write in your diary every day. You can write about what you did that day, your likes and dislikes or use specific prompts to give you ideas.

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• Watch an English movie and write about it . You can talk about what you liked and disliked about the movie in your diary!
• Pick a topic and try talking about it . You can practice expressing your opinion by choosing a topic, setting a timer and speaking about it in front of the mirror. Notice your tone and body language. You can also have discussions or “debates” with your friends. A debate is two or more people agreeing or disagreeing with a topic. You can also find online language partners on apps like HelloTalk or Tandem .

Well, I hope that made the art of expressing your opinions in English much easier and clearer than before!

You can always follow the three-step guide and practice the common phrases we use when sharing our thoughts and beliefs.

Of course, you’ll make mistakes and that’s an important part of learning. So get some practice, be sincere and try your best. Before you know it, you’ll be a confident and fluent English speaker!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

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• Humanities ›
• Writing Essays ›

Writing an Opinion Essay

• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

At any point, you may find yourself having to  write an essay  that is based on your personal opinion about a  controversial topic . Depending on your objective, your composition could be any length—a short  letter to the editor , a medium-sized  speech , or even a long  research paper . But every piece should contain some basic steps and elements. This is how to write an opinion essay.

Research Your Topic

To write an effective opinion essay, you have to understand your topic inside and out. Your personal opinion should be informed and fully developed, but it doesn't stop there. Research popular counterclaims as well—in order to truly understand what you are arguing for or against, it is imperative that you understand the opposing side.

Acknowledge Popular Arguments

It is likely that you will be writing about a controversial topic that has been debated before. Look ​at the arguments made in the past and see how they fit in with your own opinion. How is your point of view similar to or different from those articulated by previous debaters? Has something changed between now and the time others were writing about it? If not, what does the lack of change mean?

Consider an opinion essay on the topic of school uniforms:

Against Uniforms: “A common complaint among students is that uniforms restrict their rights to freedom of expression."

For Uniforms: “While some students feel that uniforms hinder self-expression, others believe that they ease the pressure to uphold certain standards of appearance by their peers.”

Use a Transition Statement

In an opinion paper, transition statements show how your individual opinion adds to the already-made arguments; they can also suggest that those previous statements are incomplete or faulty. Follow up with a statement that expresses your opinion:

Against Uniforms: "While I agree that the regulations do hamper my ability to express my individualism, I think the economic burden that uniforms bring about is a bigger concern."

For Uniforms: “There's concern about the financial pressure that requiring uniforms could bring about, but the administration has developed a program for students needing assistance.”

Watch Your Tone

"Many students come from low-income families, and they simply don't have the resources to buy new clothing to suit the headmaster's fashion whims."

This statement contains a sour note. You may be passionate about your opinion, but sarcastic, derisive language only weakens your argument by making you sound unprofessional. This says enough:

"Many students come from low-income families, and they simply don't have the resources to buy so much new clothing."

Use Supporting Evidence to Validate Your Position

Although the essay is about your opinion, you have to back up your claims—factual statements will always be more impactful than pure opinion or vague comments. As you research your topic, look for information that will act as sound evidence for why your position is "right." Then, sprinkle factoids throughout your opinion paper to reinforce your point of view.

Your supporting statements should match the type of composition you're writing, e.g. general observations for a letter to the editor and  credible statistics for a research paper . Anecdotes from individuals involved in the issue can also provide a human aspect to your argument.

Against Uniforms: "The recent increase in fees has already led to a decrease in enrollment."

For Uniforms: "Some of my friends are excited by the prospect of uniforms because they won't have to worry about choosing an outfit every morning."

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• Essay Assignment: Descriptive and Informative Profile
• Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay
• How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
• The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
• How to Write a Personal Narrative
• How to Write a Response Paper
• 100 Persuasive Essay Topics
• Write an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for an Essay
• Practice in Supporting a Topic Sentence with Specific Details
• Topical Organization Essay
• Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• How to Use Anecdotes to Nail Your Next Speech
• Tips for Writing a "What I Did on Vacation" Essay

Opinion Writing: a Guide to Writing a Successful Essay Easily

An opinion essay requires students to write their thoughts regarding a subject matter. Relevant examples and explanations back their point of view. Before starting an opinion paper, it is important to study the definition, topics, requirements, and structure. Referring to examples is also highly useful. Perhaps you need help with our admission essay writing service ? Take a look at this guide from our dissertation writing service to learn how to write an opinion essay like an expert.

What Is an Opinion Essay

A common question among students is: ‘What is an Opinion Essay?' It is an assignment that contains questions that allow students to share their point-of-view on a subject matter. Students should express their thoughts precisely while providing opinions on the issue related to the field within reasonable logic. Some opinion essays type require references to back the writer's claims.

Opinion writing involves using a student's personal point-of-view, which is segregated into a point. It is backed by examples and explanations. The paper addresses the audience directly by stating ‘Dear Readers' or the equivalent. The introduction involves a reference to a speech, book, or play. This is normally followed by a rhetorical question like ‘is the pope Catholic?' or something along those lines.

What Kind of Student Faces an Opinion Essay

Non-native English-speaking students enrolled in the International English Language Testing System by the British Council & Cambridge Assessment English are tasked with learning how to write the opinion essays. This can be high-school or college students. It is designed to enhance the level of English among students. It enables them to express their thoughts and opinions while writing good opinion essay in English.

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What Are the Requirements of an Opinion Essay?

Avoid Going Off-Topic: Always write an opinion essay within relevance to answer the assigned question. This is also known as ‘beating around the bush' and should not be included in any opinion paragraph as it may lower your grade.

Indent the First Paragraph: With most academic papers, opinion writing is not different. Therefore, it contains the rule of indenting the first line of the introduction.

A Well-Thought Thesis: The full thesis statement is a brief description of the opinion essay. It determines the rest of the paper. Include all the information that you wish to include in the body paragraphs

The Use of Formal Languages: Although it is okay to write informally, keep a wide range of professional and formal words. This includes: ‘Furthermore,' ‘As Stated By,' ‘However', & ‘Thus'.

Avoid Internet Slang: In the opinion paper, avoid writing using slang words. Don'tDon't include words like ‘LOL', ‘OMG', ‘LMAO', etc.

The Use of First Person Language (Optional): For the reason of providing personal thought, it is acceptable to write your personal opinion essay in the first person.

Avoid Informal Punctuation: Although the requirements allow custom essay for the first-person language, they do not permit informal punctuation. This includes dashes, exclamation marks, and emojis.

Avoid Including Contradictions: Always make sure all spelling and grammar is correct.

We also recommend reading about types of sentences with examples .

Opinion Essay Topics

Before learning about the structure, choosing from a wide range of opinion essay topics is important. Picking an essay theme is something that can be done very simply. Choosing an excellent opinion essay topic that you are interested in or have a passion for is advisable. Otherwise, you may find the writing process boring. This also ensures that your paper will be both effective and well-written.

• Do sports differ from ordinary board games?
• Is using animals in circus performances immoral?
• Why should we be honest with our peers?
• Should all humans be entitled to a 4-day workweek?
• Should all humans become vegetarians?
• Does a CEO earn too much?
• Should teens be barred from having sleepovers?
• Should everyone vote for their leader?
• The Pros & Cons of Day-Light Saving Hours.
• What are the most energy-efficient and safest cars of X year?

Opinion Essay Structure

When it comes to opinion paragraphs, students may struggle with the opinion essay format. The standard five-paragraph-essay structure usually works well for opinion essays. Figuring out what one is supposed to include in each section may be difficult for beginners. This is why following the opinion essay structure is something all beginners should do, for their own revision before writing the entire essay.

You might also be interested in getting more information about: 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY

Opinion essay introduction

• Address the audience directly, and state the subject matter.
• Reference a speech, poem, book, or play.
• Include the author's name and date of publication in brackets.
• 1 or 2 sentences to make up a short description.
• 1 or 2 summarizing sentences of the entire paper.
• 1 sentence that links to the first body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 1

• Supporting arguments
• Explanation
• A linking sentence to the second body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 2

• Supporting argument
• A linking sentence to the third body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 3

• A linking sentence to the conclusion.

Conclusion paragraph

• Summary of the entire paper
• A conclusive sentence (the bigger picture in conclusion)

If you need some help, leave us a message ' write my essay cheap ' and we'll help.

Opinion Essay Examples

Do you need something for reference? Reading opinion essay examples can expand your knowledge of this style of writing, as you get to see exactly how this form of an essay is written. Take a look at our samples to get an insight into this form of academic writing.

Over the past, American popular culture has been strong in creating racial stereotypes. Images displayed through television, music, and the internet have an impact on how individuals behave and what individuals believe. People find their identities and belief systems from popular culture. Evidently, I believe that American pop culture has created racial stereotypes that predominantly affect other ethnic minorities. Analyzing the history of America reveals that African Americans have always had a problem defining themselves as Americans ever since the era of slavery. AfricanAmericans have always had a hard time being integrated into American culture. The result is that African Americans have been subjected to ridicule and shame. American pop culture has compounded the problem by enhancing the negative stereotypes ofAfrican American. In theatre, film, and music, African Americans have been associated with vices such as murder, theft, and violence.

The family systems theory has a significant revelation on family relations. I firmly agree that to understand a particular family or a member, they should be around other family members. The emotional connection among different family members may create functional or dysfunctional coexistence, which is not easy to identify when an individual is further from the other members. Taking an example of the extended family, the relationship between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law may be tense, but once they are outside the family, they can pretend to have a good relationship. Therefore, I agree with the theory that the existing emotional attachment and developed culture in the family is distinctively understood when the family is together.

Opinion writing is a form of academic paper that asks students to include their thoughts on a particular topic. This is then backed by a logical explanation and examples. Becoming more knowledgeable is a practical way to successfully learn how to write an opinion paper. Before writing anything, it is essential to refer to important information. That includes the definition, topics, opinion writing examples, and requirements. This is what turns amateur writers into master writers.

Feeling like you need some assistance with your essay? No matter what kind of writer you need, opinion or persuasive essay writing service online , our team consists of experts in all fields. Our college essay writing service helps those students who need an extra push when it comes to their assignments.

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Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

16 Other Ways to Say “In My Opinion” in an Essay

Is it ever okay to express a personal opinion in an essay? If you do, is the phrase “in my opinion” a suitably formal way to start?

We’re here to answer all these pressing questions, but that’s not all! We’ve also compiled a list of synonyms for the phrase “in my opinion” so you’re never at a loss for words!

Other Ways to Say “In My Opinion”

• It could be argued
• From my perspective
• As I see it
• One might argue
• It would seem
• It is my belief
• As far as I’m concerned
• From my point of view
• I would argue
• In the author’s opinion

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• In general, you should avoid using the phrase “in my opinion” in an academic essay.
• “It could be argued” is a better phrase to use in an essay, thesis, or dissertation.
• In professional settings, you can use the phrase “from my perspective” to change your phrasing from time to time.

Stay where you are! In the next section, we’ll discuss our choice of synonyms for “in my opinion” in more detail. We’ll even provide a few helpful examples.

Afterward, we’ll discuss whether you can use the phrase “in my opinion” in an essay. Are there any circumstances where it’s appropriate?

It Could be Argued

If you’re trying to figure out how to say “in my opinion” in an essay, “it could be argued” is a great choice.

Firstly, this phrase removes the personal pronoun “I.” Some professors and academics believe that first-person phrasing should be avoided in formal writing. Therefore, this would be a better option to use if you want to appease the person grading your paper.

Secondly, this phrase sounds more objective than the highly subjective original phrase. In many cases, readers don’t want to know the opinion of the author. Instead, they want to know what conclusions the author has drawn from their thorough research.

Finally, let’s look at a couple of examples making use of this alternative:

It could be argued that Fraud’s conclusions were based on only a very narrow sample of Western males and that his findings are, therefore, limited in this respect.

Although bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin are often praised as the inventors of heavy metal music, it could be argued that this genre initially developed in African American rock spaces.

From My Perspective

If you’re wondering how to say “in my opinion” professionally , we would go with “from my perspective.”

Essentially, this phrase is just a direct synonym for “in my opinion.” It is not a superior phrase to the original, but you can use it to mix up your language from time to time.

For example, it never hurts to change your phrasing in the workplace or in formal emails to your colleagues. It’s perfectly okay to express your opinion about work matters with your fellows.

Nonetheless, in academic writing, this phrase may be considered too subjective. Therefore, a more academic alternative may be better if you want to express this sentiment in a more formal way.

Consider the following professional examples to see this phrase in action:

From my perspective , reaching a settlement would be the most beneficial solution for all parties involved.

There is no difference between these two alternatives from my perspective , but if you think one is more suitable than the other, I will trust that.

Can You Say “In My Opinion” in an Essay?

In normal circumstances, it is suitable to start a sentence with the phrase “in my opinion” where you are expressing a viewpoint.

However, the phrase “in my opinion” is not suitable to use in an academic essay. You should never start an essay or thesis statement with this phrase.

Moreover, many academics believe that outwardly expressing a personal opinion in an argumentative or narrative essay is bad writing. Many professors urge their students to avoid the use of personal pronouns like “I” or “my.”

That being said, there are exceptions to this rule . In fact, in recent years, many academics have stated that academic papers ought to be more accessible. This means they should be written in a more straightforward manner that anyone can understand.

Proponents of more accessible writing may be quite comfortable with phrases like “in my opinion.” Therefore , we would suggest speaking to the person who is going to grade your essay and learning what they’d prefer before you start.

In conclusion, as a rule of thumb, you should avoid using the phrase “in my opinion” in an essay. However, we recommend communicating with your professor to determine their preferences before you start.

If you think you might make use of our list of synonyms in your future essay writing, why not bookmark this page to keep them nearby?

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IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Should I give my opinion? When & How?

Should I give my opinion in an IELTS writing task 2 essay? This is a common question that many students ask me. To know whether you should put your opinion in your essay or not, you should read the instructions given by IELTS very carefully for each task. If you fail to give your opinion when it is asked for, it means you failed to complete the task. This will reduce your score significantly for Task Response which is 25% of your task 2 marks.

On this page:

Types of Essay Instructions

• When to Give Your Opinion
• HOW to give your Opinion

Giving Your Opinion Tips

• don’t put your opinion unless you are asked to give it
• if the question asks what you  think, you MUST give your opinion to get a good score
• don’t leave your opinion until the conclusion
• don’t sit on the fence – take a clear position
• keep the same position throughout your essay

Here are examples of instructions that require you to give your opinion:

• “….do you agree or disagree?” – it means you should give your opinion
• “…do you think…?” –  it means you should give your opinion
• “… your opinion…? –  it means you should give your opinion
• “…what is your view?” – it means you should give your opinion
• “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” – this is asking for your opinion (your answer) not the opinions of other people
• Are there more benefits or more drawbacks? – this is a paraphrase of the above instructions
• “Is this positive or negative?” – this is asking for you to choose and explain your opinion
• “Do you think this is a good thing?” – this is asking you to evaluate if something is good or bad

When to Give your Opinion in an IELTS Essay

Below are some IELTS essay questions. Decide if you think you should give your opinion or not. Then check the answer.

Some people think that rich countries should support poor countries in terms of aid for health care and education. To what extent do you agree?

While some people think that the problem with education in poor countries is the teaching methodology used, others believe it is the lack of resources that is the real issue. Discuss both sides.

With the development of modern transportation comes environmental problems. What possible solutions are there to these problems?

Some people believe that schools should not assess a student’s ability through exams but instead assess them by their course work and project work over the whole academic year. Do you agree?

Having a year off before starting universities is becoming increasingly common. Do you think this is a positive or negative trend?

Many children no longer read books and instead spend their time using modern technology. While some people think this is a positive trend, others think it is a problem. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Due to the low cost of flights, many people are choosing to holiday abroad rather than have holidays in their own country. What are the advantages and disadvantages to this?

How to Give Your Opinion in an IELTS Essay

If you are asked to give your opinion, it must be yours – your personal opinion. The words “this essay will…” does not show your opinion. Clearly write “In my opinion” or “I think”. See this video. It’s an oldie but a goodie

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hi liz, I have a couple of questions regarding opinion essays: (1) In an opinion essay, can I write a balanced view? For example, can I write the first body paragraph agreeing with the statement and the second body paragraph disagreeing? (2) Additionally, do I need to give my opinion only in the conclusion paragraph (the last paragraph), or should I express my opinion in every paragraph except the introduction? (3) also, i need to know, can i give examples for the particular essay with my own experience or imagined examples? could you please help me with these doubts.

An opinion requires a clear position. You can’t fully agree something is good and also fully disagree. That turns the essay into a Discussion Essay. You can’t sit on the fence.

Any IELTS essay that requires your opinion means that the entire essay explains your opinion. You are being marked on fulfilling the task, and the task is to give your opinion.

Examples are based on your experience of the world in general, not your personal life. It is a formal essay and examples relate to the world.

There are a lot of free tips, model answers etc on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ and I also have advanced lessons which I think you will benefit from in my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

thank you very much Liz.

Hello Liz, I got the following question and I was wondering if it requires my opinion.

Due to improvements in technology, people have more free time in today’s world.

Till what extent has this prediction come true?

This essay is about what you think. “To what extent has this prediction come true?”. When a question requires your answer, it means it is your opinion. It is the same question as “to what extent do you think this prediction has come true”. These two questions are precisely the same.

Hi Liz, I hope you are well. For an IELTS essay where I had to discuss both sides and give my opinion, I mentioned my opinion in the introduction section. E.g. Although subject matter expertise is highly valued, in my opinion, learning a broad range of skills ensures better career prospects.

I discussed both sides of the topic in the essay , but did not include a separate section on opinion in the body of the essay. In the conclusion, I stated that specialisation is good, but a wide variety of skills is important to remain relevant in the ever-evolving times. Would not including a whole para on opinion constitute a failure of task achievement.

Thank you very much for your advice.

Well, the point here is that you agree with one side. So, when you discuss that one side in the body paragraphs, you’ll mention that this is what your opinion agrees with. IELTS essays aren’t about rules and fixed methods. It’s about understanding that “discuss both sides” and “give your opinion” are both important. The introduction thesis statement will introduce your stance, which your whole essay will explain. Yes, you want to discuss why some people think that subject matter expertise is important, and you’ll use a body paragraph for that because that is your task. But the other body paragraph is about having a broad range of skills instead – many people believe that and you do too. So, that is how you approach your task. The conclusion will follow up and summarise this. so, you see, you wouldn’t have an entire body paragraph with an opinion that already agrees with one of the body paragraphs because you would be repeating the same points again.

Some people think that the only way to judge someone’s success in business is by the amount of money they make. Is money a true indicator of success of a business? In what other ways could success in a business be measured?

Can I give my opinion on the first question asked here?

Whenever you are asked to evaluate something or choose between two things, it requires your opinion. The first question asks for an evaluation.

Hello! Am I allowed to keep my opinion as neutral? I sometimes found myself neither agreeing, nor disagreeing with a certain question, so I tend to write explanations for both of the opposing opinions, then say that I lean towards a neutral stance, because X is bad and Y is good, therefore X + Y = Z, which is neutral, for example.

You MUST present a clear position. If your opinion isn’t clear or you don’t have one, you will not get a good score for Task Response. Certainly you can have a specific opinion or a partial opinion but you must learn how to write it properly so that you still fulfill the requirements of the higher band scores. See the advanced lessons in my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz, I just want to ask, will my band score be affected if I give opinion on question who doesn’t ask for it even if I address the question? I’m not actually sure if I do it right.

The question I got is like this: People in many countries spend more and more time far away from their families. Why does this happen? What effects will it have on them and their family.

after I give my answer, i also provide my option, I’m worried I will get penalized because of it.

You have been given to questions. The first one is about causes and the second one is about effects. Your task is to provide an answer to both questions. Nothing more.

does it mean if i also give my option then it will affect my band score? 😢 thanks for responding Liz..

It means your opinion isn’t asked for. you have not been asked to say which effect is worse – A or B. You have simply been asked to state causes and effects. IELTS is not a trick tests. If your opinion isn’t asked for, you don’t need to give it. Opinions are usually in answer to another opinion, choosing between A or B, or evaluating something as good or bad. It requires choice.

Hi Liz, Let me share a wonderful experience with you. My wife suggested I go through your writing section as she said I am habituated to using flowery language and oftentimes overconfident of my abilities. Just 5 days prior to the test on 20th July, I went through all your sections, stayed down to earth and religiously followed your simple tips. My essay was an opinion essay ( I would not even know these terms, honestly if I had not checked your site) and was asked my opinion on attending school at an early age (4 years) or later (7 years). I put on the platter the exact replica of your blue print ( paraphrase, my opinion, 3 to the point paragraphs followed by conclusion ).

And I got a band score 8 and I don’t basically need anything more at this point. Zero practice, just listening to a “new tutor”.

Thanks to you and thanks to my wife!!

Regards Nasir

Brilliant!! I’m so pleased for you! And well done to your wife for her down to earth suggestions 🙂

Since the concluding paragraph is opinion, and some questions don’t ask for your opinion . So, what do I include in my conclusion paragraph for such questions

The conclusion is where you restate the main points regardless of whether they are opinions or not.

Hi Liz, thank you for your blog, it is really informative! I have gotten this question in my IELTS task 2 essay recently, may I ask if this question require own opinion?

‘Is this a bad idea or a good idea?’

Thank you very much!

Sure it requires your opinion. If someone asks you “Is pizza tasty or not?” – is this asking your opinion? Yes, it is. Anything that requires a choice will require your opinion.

Hello Liz, hope you are doing great. I have been following your lessons on Youtube and I find then so helpful. The challenge I have is idea generation as well as stating my position in writing task two. please assist me on these two I will gladly appreciate. Thank you.

Sounds like you need to check my Advanced lessons and e-books: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

I JUST PRAY THAT YOU GET WELL SOON.

I hope you are doing fine today. Just had a query regarding the writing task 2; it had me scratching my head ever since it struck. So, we need to put down a lot of facts and opinions points when it comes writing task 2, we are also required to state example, so I was wondering that weather we are obliged to put forth the information in examples which are 100% true as a fact in real world. For instance, lets take a case where we are asked to mention “the merit and demerits of infants getting introduced to detrimental devices like a mobile phones by their parents as a attention diverter”. Here it is obvious that we are required to state some examples/statistics or known real life incidents, so it is necessary that the data or the stories we will be telling here must be true or the stats must be legitimate and cannot be mere numbers to support the answer.

The topics can be from anywhere, and if this is the case then it would be really difficult for a person to come with legit story under the time pressure.

Kindly help me out here. Regards.

You are not required to present data in IELTS Writing Task 2. You are not being assessed on your knowledge of data and facts. You are just asked to present an opinion which you illustrate with further details – not necessarily with data. For example:

“While allowing young children access to digital devices can be beneficial, using devices purely as a way to entertain and divert their attention can lead to serious issues. For example, in South Korea many young children have become addicted to games on their devices and this has now lead to grave health concerns.”

As you can see, there is no data attached to any statement. I am just presenting my opinion and then illustrating my opinion with my observations of the world by giving the example of South Korea. Now look at the writing below:

“While allowing young children access to digital devices can be beneficial, using devices purely as a way to entertain and divert their attention can lead to serious issues. In some countries, many young children have become addicted to games on their devices spending an enormous amount of time each day engaged in these games. This had lead to problems with eye sight and the sedentary lifestyle is fueling other health issues as well.”

In the writing above, I haven’t named a specific country and I haven’t use the linking words “for example”. But I have still illustrated my point and that is what it is all about.

I hope this helps 🙂

That was really nice of you, yes with the explanation you provided, I’ve properly gasped what you were trying to say. Really thank you a lot!

Is it okay to write in a hilarious situation in an essay which asks for our opinion? Like make a few jokes?

The Speaking test is informal and if you want to add humour, it’s your choice. It won’t necessarily help your score though. However, the Writing Test is formal – you should not be trying to be humourous – humour is informal. You ought to aim for each and every sentence to be 100% relevant to the topic and be a crucial part of supporting your opinion.

I want to start by thanking you for the helpful information you provide on your website and YouTube channel. You are a lifesaver, and I recommend your material for everyone preparing for IELTS. Today I took my exam (General Training) and got a question in task 2 asking me if “Is this a good or a bad thing?” (I’m not if it’s okay to share the exact question statement. However, it took me a while just to decide if they’re asking for my opinion or not, as they haven’t asked clearly for it, but thank God I ended up giving my opinion as learned from you.

I just wanted to thank you for your great effort and wish you all the best. P.S. I’m one of your fans in Jordan 🙂

Be safe, Shada

Glad you gave your opinion. Any question that is asking you to choose requires your personal choice (that is an opinion). Wishing you lots of luck with your results 🙂

Your website is really helpful and has a good amount explanation to almost everything. I wanted to ask this question.

In opinion based essays, do we need to add our opinion in both introduction and conclusion paragraph or only in the conclusion paragraph?

Thanks in advance.

It is generally best to introduce your opinion, then explain it and then summarise it – intro, body paragraphs & conclusion.

Hello Mrs. Liz

Mrs. for the writing task 2, when do I need to discuss only one side, and when do I need to discuss both

Does ”Or” means one, and ”and” means both.

“Or” requires a choice, which means an opinion is needed, and “and” requires both. Read the page above again to understand more.

In the mark scheme it states that you have to make your view apparent throughout the essay. I believe it says “presents a clear position throughout the response” So in an essay such as Discuss both views, do we still write this essay like the discuss both views and give you opinion essay?

I know you had said it in one of your pages, but i am still confused as this is one of the points you need to get a band 7, which is the band i hope to get.

Your position should be clear and consistent throughout your essay. This means your thesis statement sets the contents for the essay. If this is an opinion, your opinion must not change during the essay – it must be the same from beginning to end. However, opinions are not required for all essays.

Ok. I understand. So for instance in a discuss both view essay – In your thesis statement, you will be mentioning both of the views, after which you break them down into two main body paragraphs and then also mention it in your conclusion. So will this be enough to satisfy that criteria?

Thanks for your help.

Exactly – you got it! The thesis of a discussion essay doesn’t have an opinion, unless the instructions ask for one “Discuss both sides and give your opinion”. So, the aim of sticking to one opinion only is only for essays where you present your opinion. But either way, your thesis statement should represent the direction and content of your essay.

Hi Liz, Sorry to revive the old thread.

Do I need to give opinion in the below question?

Every country has poor people and every country has different ways of dealing with the poor.

What are some of the reasons for world poverty? How can the poor be helped?

This is a straight forward causes/solutions. It doesn’t require you to evaluate or choose a side. No opinion is required.

Thank you for your quick feedback. Actually, I saw an answer to this question on a site, which had ‘in my opinion’ sentence in their conclusion, If I am not mistaken. Nonetheless, It might be wrong then. Thank You for being what you are.

Sounds like you are confusing a final comment in a conclusion with presenting your opinion as part of the main body of an essay. A final comment is something that is NOT required by IELTS. It is an optional comment that ends the conclusion and does not serve the function of the summarising statement which a conclusion must give.

Hey Liz, Precisely! you caught me!! Thank You

I’m glad it made sense. A lot of people struggling with the concept of a final statement. My avoid will always be, if you aren’t sure about a final statement, don’t use one – it doesn’t increase your score anyway.

Well Noted! Thank You.

Hello Liz. Thank you for the amazing job you have been doing all these years. I have a question with regards to Discussion essay type. Some of the questions that I have checked, only mention “discuss both views” and do not include a “give your opinion part”! Does that mean the fifth paragraph in the sample you have provided would not be necessary for answering these questions?

That’s right. You don’t need a paragraph about your opinion if it isn’t asked for.

Would you prefer an interesting job with low pay or a boring job with a high salary? Explain.

Everybody wants handsome salary packages to fulfil their dreams. Some people interested in good salary packages. They do not bother about nature for work and whereas others who works for satisfaction even getting low income. I admit that salary also required for daily needs.I prefer job in which I like to do with small package. In this easy will discuss both views. Jobs satisfaction means good productivity. If employees like their job, no one has to force them to work. That creates good positive working atmosphere in the office. The tasks will be done more efficiently without any major errors. It leads to efficient output. Moreover they feel very comfortable with nature of works because they love to do and supervision is also not required. Although having a career which you like the most fulfill your life with happiness and if you are good at something money will also flows to fulfil your dreams.

On the other hand. If somebody doing a job in which he is not interested. It leads to depression. He decreases the company output as well. Every time their seniors found error in the work and that is creates very negative environment in the office. Because of this individuals feels disappoint and his frastration effects the family members. Moreover everything going in wrong directions. After some time their career leads them to dipression and sorrowful.

In my opinion, career plays an important role in our life. If you are good at something ,your career should be in that direction only. You will get meaningful life without any bad circumstance.

//////////// Kindly give your comments.

Does this situation have more advantages or more disadvantages?

Is this statement asking for opinion?

Yes, it’s asking you to evaluate.

Thank you Liz!

Hello Liz! Firstly, I am grateful that hardwork you made for us is not explainable.

Now, I have question. In opinion essays, Can we give our opinion in introduction and conclusion paragraph?? Thank you I am looking forward to your response.

Yes, of course. The introduction introduces, the body paragraphs explain and conclusion summarises.

Can my opinion be in between the both sides?

You can give a partial agreement.

Hi Liz, I’d like to thank you about your helpful blog as it improved my knowledge and skills related to IELTS.

I just want to ask why “Is this positive or negative” considered as an opinion essay, but “What are advantages and disadvantages to this” is not? I’m a little bit confused.

One is asking you to choose “or” and the other is asking for you to present both “and”.

I recently booked my IELTS exam date and got a free idp course module. The lessons are developed by Macquarie University and supported by idp (according to the logos at the bottom of the site).

In the lesson, they talk about only three types of Writing Task 2: Problem-Solution, Argument, and Discussion; the lesson on ‘Writing Task 2 Conclusions’ clearly states, and i quote- “In the conclusion of a Discussion or Argument essay, you should also give your viewpoint”. So, according to this idp provided module, i must state my opinion in any discussion topic regardless of requirement. Some of the examples there also contain a one-line opinion despite no demand in the question prompt.

I am now totally confused; I only have just over a week till my exam and now I stumble upon this info. Need your expert advice please.

Your task is to follow instructions. Any argument essay requires an opinion. Any discussion essay normally asks for an opinion. If it doesn’t ask for an opinion, you are not required to give it – your task is to complete the instructions given. However, if you look at my model essays, you will see that I gave my opinion as a final comment – that means an extra sentence in the conclusion.

Different teachers divide the essays into different categories. Some have three categories for essays, some have four and I have five. It makes no difference. It is a preference for teaching and explaining. The task of an IELTS teacher is to simplify and explain – that is not the task of IELTS as a company.

Try not to panic or get confused. Just follow the instructions and get used to all the various instructions that can be given.

Thank you so much for the reply 🙂

Hello Liz! I do not know whether to give my opinion on this type of question: In many countries today insufficient respect is shown to older people. What do you think may be the reasons for this? What problems might this cause in society?

Now I`m asking you: Is this a double question essay? Since they say “what do you think” in the first question, should we give our opinion and the second question should be treated without stating our opinion? Thank you!!

This is a cause / problem essay – a bit similar to cause/solution essay but you need to give problems rather than solutions. Certainly you can present the causes as your opinion, but it makes little difference for this type of essay. Whether the reasons are written as “I think the causes are…” or “The causes are…” – they will be the same.

I am grateful for your systematically structured lessons in this website. Also I am thankful to you for indirectly assisting me in preparing for my IELTS exam through your free resources available on internet.

For your information, I haven’t taken the date for my IELTS exam yet I am planning to take in early November. On the basis of my current IELTS diagnostic test, I scored band 5.5. I would like to seek your guidance on two things: 1. How do I plan my IELTS preparation for scoring band 8. I am a working professional and can dedicate 3 hours for practice. 2. I usually have problem in comprehending my opinion while speaking. Kindly suggest me how do I mitigate this and excel in scoring atleast 7.5 in speaking.

Looking forward to your reply.

Regards, Nidhi

IELTS is about: 1. understanding the test – details, rules, techniques (knowing the difference between a rule and a recommendation) 2. knowing what is expected of you in speaking and writing – knowing the band score requirements and examiner expectations 3. being ready and having strategies for all types of questions in all sections – being ready with topics 4. being able to showcase your language in a natural way in speaking and writing – not by memorising phrases – not aiming to impress

The more you understand of IELTS, the questions, the topics, the scoring, the sections etc, the better. Just as with any exam, you need to be fully prepared.

You mentioned you have a problem “comprehending your opinion” – that means you have problems understanding your own opinion – I don’t understand what you mean. Can you explain more clearly? Maybe give an example of what you mean??

Good morning, how do I get a band not less than 6.5 in writing module? My exams is on the 7th of this month.

Two things are required. A good understanding of IELTS writing exam techniques and strong English.

Liz, could you please explain what is your structure to task 2? I have watched a lot of videos that you explain how task 2 works but none of them you mention what is the correct Structure.

For example, advantages/disadvantages Intro:

Background information Opinion (if it is required) BUT if it is not?

Background Example evidence Example Evidence Conclusion

Paragraph 2 is the same with disadvantages

And conclusion: Opinion OR????

Your introduction always has two statements – background and thesis (the thesis contains key ideas / your answers / your opinion). You should not have a fixed structure for the body paragraph. NEVER. The first sentence is called a Topic Sentence and contains the main point or the general theme. After that, you decide for yourself how to explain the idea. If you try to learn a formula, your score will be limited. Explain, illustrate, compare as you wish. Each idea will be different and therefore will be explained differently. The conclusion is a summary of what you have already stated. If you need help with writing task 2, think of getting my Advanced Lessons – really worth it – https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz, Thank your your precious lessons.

I would like to ask that can we use “research /recent research shows/indicates that…” to support our idea in writing task 2?

Thank you in advance,

IT is 100% unnecessary to do that. The examiner is not interested in sources of information – this is not a university essay. It does nothing at all to help your score to use such expressions.

Thank you for your prompt reply 🙂

Dear Ms. Ferguson,

I would like to bother you with the following question with regards to discussion essay + opinion: in the situation that I disagree with the first view but I agree on the 2nd, can my 1st body paragraph start with the 2nd view on which I agree upon or should I start with the 1st view and mention that I disagree with? I am concerned on whether this will affect the band score on the subject of precision and on the following criterion: any opinion given is supported in all paragraphs in the essay.

You are being marked on logical organisation. Your body paragraphs should follow the order presented in the introduction.

Dear Liz, I’m so glad I found your blog! It has brought so much clarity. Regretfully I found it too late as my exam is in 3 days. Nevertheless thank you for the tips and all the hard work! P.s. I wish I wouldn’t worry about Task 2 so much (I’m a bad writer even in my native language 🙂 ) P.P.S. Sometimes I wonder how would native English speakers perform on the test 🙂

You can still learn a lot in 3 days. For speaking, it is all about language – only language. A native speaker would get band 9. But for writing, it is about more than just language. There are specific requirements for the higher scores and a specific way to tackling the essays. You can use my free lessons which are linked on the RED Menu Bar at the top of the website for writing. Or my Advanced Lessons which you can purchase here: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

so sorry to borther you, but I just wanted to ask whether to give or not give your opinion when it comes to advantage/disadvantage type of essay questions?

Here it clearly states that it is not needed, but in the model advantage/disadvantage answer it seems like there is an opinion of sorts in the conclusion part, ( ‘too much would be lost as a result’, ‘maintaining culture should be prioritised’…) so I am a little bit confused about it.

Thanks in advance for your reply! This is the only thing I am not 100% sure about, otherwise, your website is a lifesaver 🙂

I think you are confusing an essay which has an opinion in the introduction, explained in full in the body paragraphs and concluded in the conclusion – you are confusing that with a final comment (which plays no role in the aims of the essay) after the concluding statement in the conclusion. If this is something that confuses you, just do not use a final comment in the conclusion and conclude the essay as normal – a summary of the main points.

I need full guidence about writing and speaking of IELTS. I want to get free materials from you for IELTS because I want to increase my band score to overall 7. Please help me, and provide free materials through the internet. I will wait for that, please help me.

Can you see the RED MENU BAR at the top of the website?

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Opinion essay – the power and importance of effective writing.

When it comes to expressing one’s viewpoint, the written word holds tremendous power. An opinion essay, also known as a persuasive essay, allows individuals to convey their beliefs, values, and perspectives on a particular subject. It serves as a platform for writers to convince readers of their stance by presenting logical arguments backed by evidence and examples. Crafting an exceptional opinion essay requires a combination of critical thinking skills, efficient research, and persuasive writing techniques. In this article, we will explore some useful strategies and tips to help you master the art of writing a remarkable opinion essay.

Step 1: Choosing a Compelling Topic

The first step in writing an outstanding opinion essay is selecting a compelling topic that resonates with your interests and offers ample scope for debate. The key is to choose a subject that is thought-provoking, relevant, and engaging to your target audience. Brainstorm ideas, conduct preliminary research, and identify unique angles or perspectives within your chosen topic. This will help you narrow down your focus and provide a solid foundation for constructing a compelling argument.

Step 2: Developing a Clear Thesis Statement

Once you have selected a topic, the next step is to develop a clear and concise thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument of your essay. The thesis statement should articulate your stance on the topic and provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay. A strong thesis statement is specific, debatable, and supported by compelling evidence. It serves as the backbone of your essay and helps ensure coherence and clarity in your writing.

Step 3: Researching and Gathering Evidence

An excellent opinion essay is built on a foundation of thorough research and credible evidence. To strengthen your argument, conduct in-depth research on your topic using reputable sources such as scholarly articles, books, and reputable websites. Take notes, highlight key points, and gather evidence to support your thesis statement. It is critical to ensure that the evidence you present is accurate, reliable, and relevant to your argument.

Step 4: Structuring Your Essay

A well-structured essay is crucial for conveying your ideas effectively. Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that provides background information on the topic and hooks the reader. Follow this with a well-organized body that presents your main points, supported by evidence and examples. Use paragraphs to separate different ideas and ensure logical flow throughout the essay. Finally, conclude your essay by summarizing your main arguments and reinforcing your thesis statement.

Step 5: Polishing Your Writing

To write an exceptional opinion essay, it is essential to pay attention to the finer details of your writing. Ensure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are flawless. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively, and avoid vague or ambiguous statements. Additionally, consider the tone and style of your writing, adapting it to suit your target audience. Finally, revise and edit your essay to eliminate any errors or inconsistencies and ensure a polished final product.

By following these tips and strategies, you can elevate your opinion essay writing skills and effectively communicate your viewpoint to persuade and engage your readers. Remember, practice makes perfect, so seize every opportunity to refine your writing and express your opinions with confidence and conviction.

Choose a compelling topic that sparks interest

In order to captivate your readers and make your opinion essay stand out, it is essential to carefully select a topic that evokes curiosity and engages their interest. The topic you choose should be thought-provoking, relevant, and have the potential to generate a strong emotional response among your target audience.

When selecting a topic, consider what subjects or issues you are genuinely passionate about. By choosing a topic that genuinely sparks your interest, you are more likely to convey genuine enthusiasm and engage your readers. Additionally, consider the current societal or cultural climate, as well as any ongoing debates or controversies, as these can provide excellent sources of inspiration for your opinion essay.

Furthermore, always try to choose a topic that is unique and original. While it can be tempting to select a popular or trending topic, keep in mind that many other writers may have already covered these subjects extensively. To make your essay truly standout, it is important to select a topic that is less explored or offer a fresh perspective on a well-established topic. This will not only capture the attention of your readers but also demonstrate your ability to think critically and provide a unique viewpoint.

Overall, selecting a compelling topic that sparks interest is crucial for the success of your opinion essay. By choosing a topic that you are passionate about, exploring current debates or controversies, and offering a unique perspective, you can ensure that your essay captivates your audience and stands out among others.

Develop a strong thesis statement to guide your essay

One of the most crucial elements of writing an outstanding opinion essay is developing a strong thesis statement to serve as a guiding point for your entire essay. The thesis statement is a concise and clear statement that presents the main argument or standpoint of your essay. It should be a single sentence that encompasses the essence of your opinion and sets the tone for the rest of your writing.

The thesis statement acts as a roadmap that helps both you as the writer and your readers to navigate through your essay. It provides a clear direction and purpose to your writing, giving your readers a sense of what to expect and what stance you will take on the given topic.

When developing your thesis statement, it is important to choose a strong and specific argument that can be supported with evidence and examples throughout your essay. Avoid general or vague statements that lack clarity and precision. Instead, opt for a statement that is debatable and provokes thought and discussion.

To develop a strong thesis statement, start by brainstorming and generating ideas related to your topic. Consider the main points you want to make and the key arguments you want to present in your essay. Once you have a clear understanding of your position, craft a concise sentence that encapsulates your main argument.

In the weak thesis statement example, the argument is vague and lacks specific reasons. On the other hand, the strong thesis statement clearly outlines the negative effects of fast food consumption and provides specific points that will be addressed in the essay.

Remember, a strong thesis statement sets the foundation for a well-structured and persuasive opinion essay. It serves as a guide for your writing and helps you stay focused on your main argument throughout your essay.

Use reliable sources to support your arguments

When crafting an opinion essay, it is crucial to back up your arguments with evidence from credible sources. Utilizing reliable sources will not only strengthen your arguments but also lend credibility to your essay.

When searching for sources to support your opinions, look for reputable websites, scholarly articles, and books written by experts in the field. It is important to ensure that the sources you use are reliable and trustworthy. This can be achieved by checking the author’s credentials and reputation, as well as the publication or website’s credibility.

Using credible sources shows that you have done thorough research and are presenting well-informed opinions. It demonstrates to your readers that your arguments are backed by evidence and are not simply based on personal beliefs or biases. By using reliable sources, you are contributing to the overall quality and validity of your essay.

By utilizing these types of sources, you can ensure that your arguments are well-supported and grounded in factual information. It is also important to properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original authors.

Remember, using reliable sources not only strengthens your arguments but also adds credibility to your opinions. Take the time to thoroughly research and find sources that are respected and trustworthy to enhance the quality of your opinion essay.

Structure your essay with clear and logical paragraphs

When it comes to crafting an impressive opinion essay, one crucial aspect to focus on is the structure of your paragraphs. By dividing your essay into clear and logical paragraphs, you can effectively communicate your ideas and arguments to your readers.

A well-structured essay is like a well-organized house, where each room serves a specific purpose. Similarly, each paragraph in your essay should have a clear topic and contribute to the overall argument. This helps your readers understand the flow of your thoughts and makes it easier for them to follow your reasoning.

• Introductory paragraph: This paragraph should grab the reader’s attention and provide some background information about the topic. It should also include your thesis statement, which states your opinion on the subject.
• Body paragraphs: The body of your essay should consist of several paragraphs, each focusing on a different point or argument. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Provide supporting evidence and examples to strengthen your arguments.
• Counterargument paragraph: In an opinion essay, it’s important to address counterarguments and refute them. Dedicate a paragraph to acknowledging opposing viewpoints and explaining why they are not valid.
• Conclusion: The concluding paragraph should summarize your main points and restate your thesis. It should leave the reader with a clear understanding of your opinion and the arguments you have presented.

By structuring your essay with clear and logical paragraphs, you can make your arguments more persuasive and help your readers navigate through your ideas effortlessly. Remember to use transition words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs, creating a cohesive and coherent essay.

Conclude with a persuasive and memorable closing statement

As you reach the end of your opinion essay, it is crucial to leave your readers with a strong and impactful final thought. Your closing statement should aim to persuade and leave a lasting impression on your audience. By carefully crafting your closing statement, you can effectively summarize your main arguments and leave your readers with a clear and persuasive call to action or thought-provoking idea.

To create a persuasive and memorable closing statement, consider recapping your main points and reinforcing the central theme of your essay. By reminding your readers of the key arguments you have presented, you can reinforce your position and demonstrate the strength of your opinion. Additionally, you can also use your closing statement to connect your essay’s topic to a broader context or real-world implications, emphasizing the importance of your opinion.

Furthermore, a memorable closing statement should make your readers think and reflect. It can be effective to pose a thought-provoking question, challenge common assumptions, or present a powerful anecdote or statistic. By engaging your readers’ emotions and encouraging critical thinking, you can leave a lasting impact and potentially inspire further discussion or action on the topic you have written about.

Remember to keep your closing statement concise and focused. Avoid introducing new arguments or information that may dilute the impact of your overall essay. Instead, aim for clarity and a memorable ending that reinforces your main points and leaves a strong impression on your readers.

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Consider the following thesis for a short paper that analyzes different approaches to stopping climate change:

Climate activism that focuses on personal actions such as recycling obscures the need for systemic change that will be required to slow carbon emissions.

The author of this thesis is promising to make the case that personal actions not only will not solve the climate problem but may actually make the problem more difficult to solve. In order to make a convincing argument, the author will need to consider how thoughtful people might disagree with this claim. In this case, the author might anticipate the following counterarguments:

• By encouraging personal actions, climate activists may raise awareness of the problem and encourage people to support larger systemic change.  
• Personal actions on a global level would actually make a difference.  
• Personal actions may not make a difference, but they will not obscure the need for systemic solutions.  
• Personal actions cannot be put into one category and must be differentiated.

In order to make a convincing argument, the author of this essay may need to address these potential counterarguments. But you don’t need to address every possible counterargument. Rather, you should engage counterarguments when doing so allows you to strengthen your own argument by explaining how it holds up in relation to other arguments. 

How to address counterarguments 

Once you have considered the potential counterarguments, you will need to figure out how to address them in your essay. In general, to address a counterargument, you’ll need to take the following steps.

• State the counterargument and explain why a reasonable reader could raise that counterargument.  
• Counter the counterargument. How you grapple with a counterargument will depend on what you think it means for your argument. You may explain why your argument is still convincing, even in light of this other position. You may point to a flaw in the counterargument. You may concede that the counterargument gets something right but then explain why it does not undermine your argument. You may explain why the counterargument is not relevant. You may refine your own argument in response to the counterargument.  
• Consider the language you are using to address the counterargument. Words like but or however signal to the reader that you are refuting the counterargument. Words like nevertheless or still signal to the reader that your argument is not diminished by the counterargument. 

Here’s an example of a paragraph in which a counterargument is raised and addressed.

Image version

The two steps are marked with counterargument and “counter” to the counterargument: COUNTERARGUMENT/ But some experts argue that it’s important for individuals to take action to mitigate climate change. In “All That Performative Environmentalism Adds Up,” Annie Lowery argues that personal actions to fight climate change, such as reducing household trash or installing solar panels, matter because change in social behavior can lead to changes in laws. [1]  

COUNTER TO THE COUNTERARGUMENT/ While Lowery may be correct that individual actions can lead to collective action, this focus on individual action can allow corporations to receive positive publicity while continuing to burn fossil fuels at dangerous rates.

Where to address counterarguments 

There is no one right place for a counterargument—where you raise a particular counterargument will depend on how it fits in with the rest of your argument. The most common spots are the following:

• Before your conclusion This is a common and effective spot for a counterargument because it’s a chance to address anything that you think a reader might still be concerned about after you’ve made your main argument. Don’t put a counterargument in your conclusion, however. At that point, you won’t have the space to address it, and readers may come away confused—or less convinced by your argument.
• Before your thesis Often, your thesis will actually be a counterargument to someone else’s argument. In other words, you will be making your argument because someone else has made an argument that you disagree with. In those cases, you may want to offer that counterargument before you state your thesis to show your readers what’s at stake—someone else has made an unconvincing argument, and you are now going to make a better one. 
• After your introduction In some cases, you may want to respond to a counterargument early in your essay, before you get too far into your argument. This is a good option when you think readers may need to understand why the counterargument is not as strong as your argument before you can even launch your own ideas. You might do this in the paragraph right after your thesis. 
• Anywhere that makes sense  As you draft an essay, you should always keep your readers in mind and think about where a thoughtful reader might disagree with you or raise an objection to an assertion or interpretation of evidence that you are offering. In those spots, you can introduce that potential objection and explain why it does not change your argument. If you think it does affect your argument, you can acknowledge that and explain why your argument is still strong.

[1] Annie Lowery, “All that Performative Environmentalism Adds Up.” The Atlantic . August 31, 2020. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/08/your-tote-bag-can-mak…

• picture_as_pdf Counterargument