An opinion essay

An opinion essay presents our personal opinion on a particular topic. We need to state our opinion clearly and support it with examples or reasons.

Introduction

First paragraph = we present the topic and state our opinion clearly.

Main body

Second and third paragraph = we present our viewpoints and give reasons/examples. We present each viewpoint, with reasons/examples, in a separate paragraph.

Fourth paragraph = we present the opposing viewpoint and give examples/reasons.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = we restate our opinion using different words.

We usually use present tenses in this kind of writing and avoid using informal language such as contractions (I've, she's) and colloquialisms (What's up?) etc. We can use phrases like In my opinion, I (strongly) believe that, It seems to me that to introduce our opinion. We can find opinion essays in newspapers and magazines as articles or letters to the editor, etc.

Example: Your local newspaper is asking readers to write an article giving their opinion on the following statement: Students should not be allowed to have mobile phones at school.

                             NO MOBILE PHONES AT SCHOOL

Nowadays more and more students bring their mobile phones to school. While I believe that students should carry mobile phones in case of an emergency, I am strongly opposed to these phones being used at school, particularly in the classroom.

Firstly, many students travel to and from school without their parents. Therefore, it is important for them to have a mobile phone in case they need help or have an accident on the way to school or home.

Furthermore, parents who work may need to contact their children. For example, if a parent has to work late, the student has to be told if arragangements have been made for a relative or neighbour to look after them.

On the other hand, nothing is more disruptive during a lesson than the sound of a mobile phone ringing or playing an annoying tune. Moreover, students who send and receive text messages in class are not paying attention to the lesson.

In conclusion, I feel that students should be allowed to take mobile phones to school for use in an emergency. However, all phones should certainly be turned off during lessons.