How to Write an Opinion Paragraph | English Writing Skills | 2020

Summary

In this video, Wendy from Worldwide Speak provides a comprehensive guide to writing an opinion paragraph, tailored for English language learners. She defines an opinion and outlines the paragraph's structure, including a clear topic sentence, supporting reasons backed by details or facts, and a concluding sentence. Wendy emphasizes the importance of clarity and specificity while encouraging writers to present their strongest arguments last. This instructional content aims to enhance academic writing skills and effectively persuade readers, making it a valuable resource for those looking to improve their writing proficiency.

Takeaways

• 😀 An opinion is a personal belief about a topic, such as 'Ford is the best car to buy.'
• 📚 An opinion paragraph expresses a writer's feelings about a topic and supports those feelings with reasons and facts.
• 📝 The basic structure of an opinion paragraph includes a clear topic sentence, reasons supported by details, and a concluding sentence.
• 🚦 A strong topic sentence should clearly state the writer's opinion and the topic being addressed.
• ✅ Reasons for the opinion must be logical and backed by specific details or facts to persuade the reader.
• 🔄 The concluding sentence restates the opinion and leaves the reader with a thought-provoking idea.
• 🌆 Example: In responding to a prompt about the best city to visit, a clear opinion would be 'Chicago is the best city to visit for many reasons.'
• 👥 Opinion paragraphs can also aim to persuade the reader to agree with the writer's viewpoint.
• 🔍 When transitioning to essay writing, maintaining strong support for opinions becomes even more important.
• 🎯 Use the strongest reason last in the paragraph to ensure it has a lasting impact on the reader.

Q & A

What is the purpose of an opinion paragraph?

The purpose of an opinion paragraph is to express how the writer feels about a specific topic and to support that opinion with reasons, details, and facts.

What are the main components of an opinion paragraph's structure?

The main components include a topic sentence, followed by reasons supported by details or facts, and a concluding sentence.

How should a topic sentence be constructed?

A topic sentence should clearly state the writer's opinion and indicate whether they agree or disagree with a prompt.

Can you give an example of a topic sentence based on a prompt?

For the prompt 'What is the best city in the U.S. to visit for a long weekend?', a possible topic sentence could be: 'Chicago is the best city to visit for a long weekend for many reasons.'

What role do details and facts play in supporting an opinion?

Details and facts back up the reasons provided in an opinion paragraph, helping to strengthen the argument and make it more persuasive.

Why is it important to have a clear concluding sentence?

A clear concluding sentence helps to remind the reader of the main opinion and leaves them with something to think about, reinforcing the writer's message.

What should be included in the concluding sentence?

The concluding sentence should restate the opinion while adding a final thought to emphasize its importance or implications.

What tips does Wendy provide for writing a strong opinion paragraph?

Wendy suggests ensuring the topic sentence is clear, using specific details, supporting opinions with strong facts, and saving the best reason for last.

How can visual aids help in understanding the structure of an opinion paragraph?

Visual aids, such as color coding different sentence types, can help illustrate the logical flow of an opinion paragraph, making it easier to grasp its structure.

What might be an effective strategy for organizing reasons in an opinion paragraph?

An effective strategy is to present the strongest reason last, as it tends to linger in the reader's mind after they finish reading.