This document provides guidance on writing an opinion paragraph, including outlining the structure and including examples. It recommends that an opinion paragraph should clearly state a personal opinion on a topic, support it with justifications, and present opposing viewpoints. It provides words and phrases to introduce the opinion and different elements of the paragraph. It also includes an example topic, outline, and full sample opinion paragraph on whether money should be the most important factor in choosing a career.

2. Opinion paragraph
are discursive
paragraphs in which
you present your
personal opinion on a
particular topic.

3. Your opinion must be stated
clearly and supported by
justifications. You should
also present opposing
viewpoint in a separate
sentence.

4. Introduction
should explain or illustrate the topic
 Do you know that….? (the subject)
It is often said/argued that……
It is the fact that……
These days/Nowadays……
In the past, people…but now…..
…..we are becoming aware of the fact
that…
I strongly believe…….(state your opinion clearly)

5. Words to explain your opinion
I strongly believe…….
In my opinion,…/ In my view,… To my
mind
It is my firm believe that…..
I am inclined to believe that…..
I feel very strongly that….
It strikes me that….
It seems to me that…..

6. Main Body
In the first place……..(first viewpoint)
In my opinion…..
To start with………..
For example…………….(reasons , examples)

7. Furthermore………..(second viewpoint )
For instance………….(reason , example)

8. On the other hand……..(opposing
viewpoint)
For instance…………..(reason , example)

9. Conclusion
All things considered…………
In conclusion……. ………….
To sum up…………………….
(restate you opinion , using different words)

10. MODEL OPINION PARAGRAPH
OUTLINE:
TOPIC SENTENCE:
SUPPORTING STATEMENT/DETAIL ONE (Starting with “Firstly”)
EXPLANATION:
SUPPORTING STATEMENT/DETAIL TWO (Starting with “Secondly”)
EXPLANATION:
SUPPORTING STATEMENT/DETAIL THREE (Starting with
“Additionally/Moreover”)
EXPLANATION:
SUPPORTING STATEMENT/DETAIL FOUR (Starting with “Finally”)
EXPLANATION:
CONCLUDING SENTENCE (Rephrasing the topic sentence)

11. A teen magazine has asked
readers to write on the following
topic:
Some people believe that money
should be one of the most
important reasons for choosing a
job or career. What is your
opinion?
Write a passage for the
newspaper, stating and explaining
your opinion.

13. Introduction
In my opinion money should not be one
of the most important reasons for
choosing a job or career. What we should
consider is that we will spend most of our
waking hours at work. So being happy in
the career we choose, should be the most
important factor when deciding what we
want to do with our lives. A career is
something that we have to think about
very seriously, as it is a decision that will
effect most of our life.

14. 1st
Paragraph
Firstly, in choosing the right career
we should plan for the future and
think about the demands that a family
will put on our schedules. Taking care
of a family is very time consuming. For
example, children need to attend
different school activities, which we
need to take them to. So if we spend
too much time at work, who will
transport our children for us?

15. 2nd
Paragraph
Secondly, I cannot imagine spending so
many hours at work and being unhappy, it
must be the worst thing in the world. An
important fact is, we need to be happy. If
we are happy, we will be productive at
work. For instance, having to work
overtime to complete an urgent job will
not annoy us, if we enjoy our work. Job
satisfaction is also very important as to
how we see ourselves.

16. Conclusion
In conclusion, the belief that money
should be one of the most important
reasons for choosing a job or career is
not an option for me. I strongly
disagree that money should be a
deciding factor in choosing a career.
What should be important is how
much time I need to spend at work
each day and job satisfaction.

17. Supporting Details…Supporting Details…
Supporting details can include;
facts,
statistics,
quotations,
anecdotes,
examples

18. Supporting Details…Supporting Details…
Facts:
Example:
From 2013–14, the percentage of public
schools reporting that they required
students to wear uniforms increased
from 12 to 20 percent.

19. Supporting Details…Supporting Details…
Statistics:
Example:
The school uniform market in the UK is
estimated to be worth around
£450million per year.

20. Supporting Details…Supporting Details…
Quotable:
Example:
“Don't these schools do enough damage
making all these kids think alike, now
they have to make them look alike too?”
(George Carlin, 2001)

21. Supporting Details…Supporting Details…
Anecdotes:
Define: a short and amusing or interesting
story about a real incident or person.
Example:
“I’ll never forget the first day I put on my
secondary uniform. I looked so geeky and it
felt so uncomfortable.”

22. Supporting Details…Supporting Details…
Examples:
Example:
School uniforms don’t allow
students to express themselves
creatively.

23. Check List
• You must make sure that:
• your opinion is clearly stated;
• you have provided enough detail to support your opinion;
• your response is coherent (logical) and organized and;
• your grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure
are correct.
• You have used appropriate linking and transition language.
• You have used appropriate and high level vocabulary and
sentence structure. Remember to use good adjectives and
adverbs to describe.

24. Peer Review
Find a partner and using the
peer review form evaluated you
class mates work.

25. Summary sentence:
Write a summary sentence(s) about
your partners paragraph. Remember to
include the main ideas of their work,
keep shared language and paraphrase
the other language. Use the techniques
we have practiced in class.

26. Possible Opinion Topics:
Should students be allowed to have
phones in elementary and high schools?
Should students have to wear uniforms?
Should college athletes be paid for
playing?
Facebook creates isolation for people
The school day is too long
Fast food should be banned
• The death penalty should be
abolished
• Should the voting age be
lowered to thirteen?
• Should the driving age be
raised to twenty-one?
• Should students be paid for
having good grades?