OPINION ESSAY – 4 paragraphs

BASIC STRUCTURE- 4 Paragraphs

1. Introduction- What is the essay about? Introduce the
general topic then give your personal opinion.
2. Explain YOUR opinion and give reasons. Use Evidence
to support your opinion (Claim, Evidence/Example, and
Warrant- why it supports your claim).
3. Refute claim made by OTHERS (Their claim, evidence
against, warrant – why the evidence supports your claim
instead)
4. Conclusion – Summarize your main points/reasons.
Restate your claim.

PRE-WRITING

• 1 - Intro • 2 - Make a
claim

Claim,
Introduce topic and
Evidence/Examples
personal opinion
and Warrant

Claim of others,
Summarize main
Evidence against,
points and restate
why supports your
claim
claim instead

• 3 - Refute a •4-
claim by Conclusion
others

GIVING FACTS:
TO REFUTE: It is a fact that …
Critics argue that … It is widely known that…
While it may be true that …, still all in all, … There is/are definitely …
Others may say that…, but I argue that… USEFUL It is true that…
A common argument against this position is… LAN
TO GIVE OPINION:
but … GUA TO REFERRING
INTENSIFY: TO OTHER PEOPLE’S
It mayIt be true to
seems that
me…that…
however, … GE: I completely
IDEAS: agree..
It is easy to believe
As I see it… that …, I totally
Many agree…
people say ….
but when you look
It is clear that…at the facts … I feel strongly…
Many people believe…
WhileFromsomemy researchers say…
point of view… It is definitely…
nevertheless…
In my opinion, … It is REASON
probably true…
AND RESULT:
It is often thought
It is clear (imagined)
to me that, … … supposed … This is because…
Unfortunately,
As far as I’m I disagree … …
concerned As a result …
It is probably true that … Therefore…
I feel strongly that …. My main reason…
Another reason …
 OPINION ESSAY – 4 paragraphs

FAN BOYS: TO CONCLUDE:

for and but nor or yet so In conclusion…
In short …
To sum up…
To conclude…

SUBORDINATE CLAUSES:
Although therefore because
even though however nevertheless
still even if in spite of despite