Plan: introduction examples of opinion essay

PLAN:

1. INTRODUCTION

2. EXAMPLES OF OPINION ESSAY

3. CONCLUTION

Introduction

In the introductory paragraph, you need to present your subject and state your opinion clearly. Make sure it contains a thesis statement – a sentence that summarizes the main point of your paper.
There are several techniques to begin your essay, so you can:

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  address the reader directly;
  
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  include a quotation, direct speech, a sentence from a book or play;
  
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  ask a rhetorical question.
  

In the body of your essay, you need to support your thesis statement. Write several paragraphs, each presenting a separate point of view supported by reasons. Start every paragraph with a topic sentence – the main idea you will back up with arguments. Make sure you don't begin a new paragraph because the one you are writing right now is too long. Begin a new paragraph only when you want to discuss a new idea.

While writing, pay special attention to:

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  Tense – normally you should use present tenses in this type of essay.
  
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  Linking words – use different expressions for giving reasons (one reason for ... is / many people believe that... / since... / due to...), expressions opinions (to my mind... / I am convinced that... / from my point of view...), adding ideas (first of all.../ secondly... / what is more, …/ finally... ), etc.
  
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  Formal vocabulary – do not use idioms, phrasal verbs or colloquial expressions.
  
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  Formal punctuation – do not use exclamation marks, parentheses and contractions.
  
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  Citing sources where necessary.
  

The basic five-paragraph essay structure, which you have probably used many times by this point, works extremely well for an opinion essay. It’s a starting point, and when you get to university your profs will expect a more complex approach to essay writing. If you feel confident about your essay-writing skills, you can certainly branch out into longer and more complex essays. But this basic five-paragraph outline is a good starting point, especially if you feel uncertain of your ability.
An opinion essay exists to prove your main point – your thesis. This should be clearly stated in your opening paragraph. Don’t leave the reader to guess what your position is on the issue – make a clear stand!
Next, develop your argument in the body of your essay. Each paragraph should contain a single, clear idea that support your point of view. You can use examples and illustration, cause-and-effect reasoning, comparison/contrast or other methods of development to support your argument.
Research: Any statements you make that would cause a reader to say, “Wait, how do you know that’s true?” need to be backed up with documentation from outside sources (“I saw something on TV about it one time” would not be considered adequate documentation). Refer to the handout “What is Research?” for further details.
Remember that a paragraph is three to five sentences that develop a single, clear idea. A good paragraph often begins with a topic sentence that sums up your main idea.
· Paragraph One -- The introduction. Here you state the main idea of your entire essay -- the point you are trying to make or prove. This paragraph should include your thesis statement plus three reasons why you believe this statement to be true.
· Paragraphs Two, Three and Four. These are the body of your essay. Remember back in Paragraph One, you gave three reasons for your opinion? Three reasons, three body paragraphs. Each of the body paragraphs should take one of your reasons and explain it in more detail, citing sources where necessary.
· Paragraph Five -- The conclusion. Former Newfoundland premier Joey Smallwood once said about giving speeches: "First I tell them what I'm going to tell them, then I tell them, then I tell them what I told them." That's how you write an essay. In the conclusion, tell them what you told them. Sum up your argument by restating your thesis statement and reminding the reader what your three reasons were. In an argumentative essay, you can finish with a "call to action" -- tell the reader what you would like them to do as a result.

Sample Five-Paragraph Essay

Subject: Should parents have their children vaccinated?

Title Author’s Name Paragraph One: Introduction Three reasons for my opinion Thesis statement Paragraph Two: Develops the first reason by giving examples Topic Sentence Paragraph Three: Topic Sentence Develops the second reason, giving facts and statistics to support the statement. Paragraph Four: Topic sentence Develops third reason, giving an example Paragraph Five:Conclusion Restatement of thesis Summary of reasons

Why You Should Vaccinate Your Kids sample essay for student use by Trudy Morgan-Cole Since Edward Jenner introduced the first successful smallpox vaccine by injecting an eight-year-old boy with cowpox pus in 1796, vaccines have been an important part of public health care around the world (“Edward Jenner”). Yet today, many parents choose not to vaccinate their children. Because vaccines are widely supported by research, have few side effects, and have proven successful in halting the spread of disease, I believe it is important that all parents continue to vaccinate their children. All major health organizations, including the Centres for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, recommend vaccination. The value of vaccination is supported by research from around the world, and researchers are constantly working to improve the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Epidemiologists, the scientists whose job is to study the outbreak of disease, all recommend vaccination. Many parents worry about the safety of vaccines. While side effects do occur, they are usually minor, like redness or swelling around the site of an injection. In Canada, only about one in a million doses of vaccine leads to serious side effects (“Fact and Fiction”). The most famous study linking vaccines to autism, one which got many parents worried about vaccination, has been proven false and the doctor who conducted the study has had his medical license taken away (Triggle). Around the world, increased vaccination leads to better public health. Diseases like smallpox and polio which once killed and disabled millions of people are virtually unknown today thanks to immunization programs. Yet in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan where the Taliban discourage immunization, rates of polio are on the rise again (Nordland). If and when you have children, please get them vaccinated. The risks are minimal and you’ll not only be following the best advice of medical science and protecting your own child from disease; you’ll be helping in the fight to eradicate infectious diseases in your community and around the world.

An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing. It requires your opinion on a topic, which must be stated clearly, giving various viewpoints on the topic supported by reasons and/or examples. You should also include the opposing viewpoint in another paragraph. A successful opinion essay should have:
a) an introductory paragraph in which you state the topic and your opinion.
b) a main body which consists of several paragraphs, each presenting a separate viewpoint supported by reasons. You also include a paragraph presenting the opposing viewpoint and reason why you think it is an unconvincing viewpoint; and a
c) conclusion in which you restate your opinion using different words. You can also can try Essay Writers for better format or follow the below.
Introduction Wikipedia
Paragraph 1
state the topic and your opinion clearly
Main Body
Paragraph 2
viewpoint 1 & reason, example
Paragraph 3
viewpoint 2 & reason, example
Paragraph 4
viewpoint 3 & reason/ example*
Paragraph 5
opposing viewpoint & reason/example* The basic five-paragraph essay structure, which you have possibly used for many times, works extremely well for opinion essays. Be ready to by evaluating various opinions and reasons to determine which are strong and which are weak to support your point of view.
To write a successful opinion essay, make sure to follow these stages: pre-writing, writing and proofreading.