Writing an Opinion Essay
Once you finish prewriting, you are ready to create the first draft of your essay. These writing activities will help you create a strong beginning, middle, and ending for your opinion essay. You'll also read examples from another student's essay to see how each part works.
Writing the Beginning Paragraph
The beginning paragraph of an opinion essay is very important. It should introduce the topic, get the reader’s attention, and state your opinion. To get the reader’s attention, you can ask questions, make a dramatic statement or two, or share important information.
Review a sample and write your beginning.
Read this beginning paragraph and then write your own.
Dramatic Statements It is expensive and dangerous. It doesn’t always work in cold weather, and it pollutes. Would anyone possibly want such a thing? The answer is yes. Topic Named People in the United States and around the world all want their own cars. Opinion Statement People can’t wait to drive them, even though they do cause problems.
Beginning Paragraph
Writing the Middle Paragraphs
The middle paragraphs in your essay should give background information as needed and state the reasons that support your opinion.
Read a sample and write middle paragraphs.
Review the following middle paragraphs and then write your own.
Background:
Concession It is true that cars are the main form of transportation in many countries, including the United States. Outside of major cities, most grown-ups drive to work, to shop, and to most events in their lives.
First Supporting
Reason Cars have come to rule our lives. We need cars to have jobs, and we need jobs to have cars. It may be hard to believe, but a new car is put on the road every second. With so many cars on the roads, we need more and more roads. In fact, half of the land in our cities is for roads, and having so many roads takes away from areas that could be used for homes and parks.
Second Supporting
Reason Cars have become a great source of pollution. The average car gives off five tons of carbon dioxide every year, and carbon dioxide is a major cause of polluted air. With so many more cars, pollution will continue to increase. The exhaust from cars also adds to the problem of smog. It is true that cars have reduced their emissions, but they still pollute.
Third Supporting
Reason Cars are the leading cause of death and serious injury. Around the world, cars kill a quarter of million people every year and injure millions of others. With more cars, there will be more chances for serious accidents to occur. Road rage and drunk driving make the roads less safe, too. These conditions can make driving small cars really dangerous.
Teaching Tip
Depending on the topic, students may or may not have to include a background paragraph. Note that the sample background paragraph makes a concession: recognizing an opposing viewpoint. Students will learn more about concessions in the revising part of this unit.
Background Paragraph (Optional)
Reason 1 Paragraph
Reason 2 Paragraph
Reason 3 Paragraph
Writing the Ending Paragraph
The ending paragraph should restate the opinion and provide an important final thought or make a call to action. A call to action tells readers what you want them to do.
Read a sample and write an ending paragraph.
Read this ending paragraph and then write your own.
Summary Cars are an important part of American life, and people depend on them. Unfortunately, cars can rule our lives, create pollution, and cause deaths. Even so, there are more and more cars all the time, and this increase makes the problems worse. Call to Action We need to drive less and walk, bike, and ride more. If we don’t, cars may end up causing even more problems than they solve.