Opinion Writing

What Is Opinion Writing?#

An opinion is what you think or believe about something. Opinion writing is when you write down your opinion and give reasons and evidence to convince the reader that your thinking is correct.

Opinion vs. Fact#

Before you start writing opinions, it is very important to understand the difference between an opinion and a fact.

• A fact is something that is true and can be proven. Example: Dogs have four legs.
• An opinion is what someone thinks or believes. It cannot be proven true for everyone. Example: Dogs make better pets than cats.

Some opinions sound like facts because they are stated so confidently. Watch out for clue words like I think, I believe, in my opinion, the best, should, must, and always — these signal opinions.

Why Write Opinions?#

People write opinions all the time:

• In letters to newspapers or leaders
• In reviews of books, movies, and restaurants
• In speeches to persuade others
• In essays for school

Learning to write a clear, well-supported opinion is a skill you will use for the rest of your life!

What Makes a Good Opinion Piece?#

A strong opinion piece has four key ingredients:

1. A clear opinion statement — exactly what you think
2. Reasons — why you think this
3. Evidence — examples or facts that support each reason
4. A call to action or conclusion — what you want the reader to think or do

Being Respectful#

Remember: even when you write an opinion, others may disagree with you — and that is perfectly fine. Good opinion writers state their view strongly but respectfully. They never say that people who disagree are wrong or stupid.

Being able to write a thoughtful, reasoned opinion is one of the most powerful communication skills you can learn!