5 Tips for Writing an Opinion Essay

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 doesnt 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: â€Å"A common complaint among students is that uniforms restrict their rights to freedom of expression. For Uniforms: â€Å"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: â€Å"Theres 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 dont have the resources to buy new clothing to suit the headmasters 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 dont 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 youre 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 wont have to worry about choosing an outfit every morning.

Essay about The Breakfest Club - 683 Words

The Breakfast Club nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Theresa Puchta is very accurate in her description of the merits and limitations of John Hughes’ films. Almost all of the characteristics and themes she has described in the article: suburban setting, vague social concerns, high school cliques, uncaring parents, characters wearing the latest fashions and top 40 soundtrack music have been proven true in The Breakfast Club. The movie has a suburban setting inside a high school, and the characters each belong to one of the high school cliques: freak, princess, bully, jock and geek. At the very beginning of the movie when the characters are introduced, each of them are receiving a drive from one of their parents who is either too pushy,†¦show more content†¦They only address the concerns of their lives, none of society. The article was â€Å"right on† with these points. The biggest and most attractive feature of Hughes’ films is the realistic dialogue, critics say it is â€Å"hip-just the way teens talk.† Theresa Puchta puts a little spin on that, she writes â€Å"though Hughes’ dialogue is realistic, funny and literate-certainly several notches above the drivel usually spoken by people in teen films-it’s sometimes a bit too rich.† This point brings a lot of truth. This is definitely displayed during conversations between the five high school students when they try to psychologically figure each other out. For example, the bully is criticized by the others as just masking up the fact that he knows he doesn’t really matter to anyone, and knowing that no matter how hard he tries he won’t fit in. The teens slip these types of observations into their conversations so easily. Although teens do come up with profound statements it is usually after knowing the person well or the effect of a certain emotion/fa ct that person has made you realize. In â€Å"The Breakfast Club† the teens begin to analyze the bullies’ behaviour in the beginning of the movie after spending just a few minutes with him in detention. Besides this however, as Theresa pointed out, the lingo is very realistic and full of terms which teenagers used such as â€Å"blazing up† which means to smoke marijuana.

Childhood Obesity How Has This Become A Problem

Childhood Obesity: How Has This Become a Problem and What Can Be Done to Fix it? Childhood obesity is affecting 1 out 3 kids in our society. These children are being classified as being obese or overweight. Obesity has gained recognition as an important worldwide public problem and in the U.S., appears to be overtaking tobacco use as the number one cause of preventable death (Dennison, B. A., Edmunds, L. S., Stratton, H. H., Pruzek, R. M. (2006). This is the first time we have ever seen our children in this state and the percentage of overweight or obese children is growing at a rapid rate. If something is not done about this issue, this generation will be the first generation to not outlive their parents because of the health issues that arise because a person is overweight or obese. Children are not being entertained outside anymore while getting exercise; the entertainment is inside on the TV, computer, or video-game console (Kid’s Health). Many kids are spending less time outside exercising than previous generations. In today’s world, a quick a nd easy solution to a problem is the most common answer; this is true for our electronics and our food choices. Families have little to no free moments to prepare nutritious, home cooked meals(Kid’s Health). Our goal has to be finding ways to prevent children from becoming overweight. This is the parent’s responsibility. Parents have to learn to adopt a way to lead a healthy lifestyle of eating healthy and exercising for theirShow MoreRelatedChildhood Obesity: A Gowing Problem Around the World649 Words   |  3 PagesObesity is a growing problem all around the world for far too many children. Obesity means a person has too much body fat. Body fat is measured by a person’s body mass index. When one is measuring a person’s body mass index, they are finding their height and body weight then comparing it to the recommendations made by doctors for each age and gender. 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Macbeths Downfall Essay Summary Example For Students

Macbeths Downfall Essay Summary In William Shakespeare’s famous play Macbeth, there are many reasons for Macbeth’s gradual downfall. Numerous factors contributed to Macbeth’s ruin, such as his own character flaws and his demanding wife, Lady Macbeth. The Three Witches, however, caused Macbeth the most trouble. First, the sisters stirred his dormant ambitions to be king. In addition to this, the witches’ prophesies gave Macbeth a false sense of security. Finally, their predictions falsely led Macbeth to believe he would some day be happy. The Witches’ contributed the most to Macbeth’s destruction by first stirring his deep lying ambitions, also by giving him a false sense of security and finally, by allowing Macbeth to believe he would someday be content. Naturally, Macbeth was third in line to become King of Scotland. Deep in his heart, he desperately wanted the crown, and all the power that came with it. Macbeth suppressed his feelings, however, until he heard the three wi tches’ first prophecy. â€Å"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter†, were the witch’s words. When Macbeth heard this, his desperate need for the crown revealed itself because he realized it was possible to take the thrown. When Macbeth’s yearning to be king could not be overcome, he did not let anything stand in his way of being crowned, even if that meant he had to commit murder. The Three Witches ignited Macbeth’s desire to be king with their prophecy. When the witches told Macbeth that no man born of a woman could harm him, he would not be defeated until the forest came to his castle, and that his only threat was Macduff, Macbeth felt very secure about his kingship. Little did Macbeth know, that all of these foretellings would bring about his demise. Macduff was born out of a dead woman, so he was the only one who could hurt Macbeth. When Malcolm’s army attacked Macbeth’s castle, they camouflaged themselves with trees, thus giving the appearance of the forest coming to the castle. Finally, Macduff was the only thing that Macbeth had to worry about, because he was not born of a woman, and could kill Macbeth. Macbeth completely disregarded the Witches’ prophecies because he thought of them as rubbish. Had the three witches told Macbeth the real truth that they ticked him out of believing, Macbeth would not have gotten so cocky as a result of his security. Therefore, maybe things would have been different. The Witches prophesized that Macbeth would be King of Scotland some day. When Macbeth found out he would someday be King, this made him believe he would also one day be happy. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth attributed power to happiness. So, it was partially the pursuit of happiness that made Macbeth become a murderer. Consequently, the witches’ prophecy contributed to Macbeth’s ruin in this way also. The Witches’ contributed the most to Macbeth’s destruction. First, by stirring his deep lying ambitions to one day become king, these ambitions caused him nothing but trouble. Also, the Witches prophecies gave Macbeth a false sense of security. Finally, the witches led Macbeth to believe that he would someday be happy, which was far from the truth. In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, the three witches contribute the most to Macbeth’s ruin. Bibliography: