OPINION ESSAY PART 1: Writing a strong, clear thesis
The opinion essay questions are perhaps the most daunting because they seem longer and more involved. With a bit of organization though, these questions can be the most interesting because you get to actually write what you think. There are no wrong answers to these questions. As long as you follow proper organizational format, clearly state your ideas, provide support and use accurate grammar, you can have fun with the content you write.
The best way to approach these questions is to:
- Read the question very carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked.
- Brainstorm your ideas BEFORE you begin writing.
Decide what you REALLY think about the question for best results.
This may seem to take a lot of your time, but it will actually save you time in the end.
- Plan your essay. Before you write, create an outline and group each idea with at least one supporting example or explanation. A good rule of thumb is to come up with 3 ideas per essay.
- Introduce your THESIS (one sentence that clearly states your main opinion in regards to the question) in the first paragraph (introduction).
- Include only ONE idea and its support in each paragraph (body).
- Use connecting words and phrases in between paragraphs to show how your ideas are related.
- Restate your thesis and summarize your ideas in the last paragraph (conclusion).
- KISS: KEEP IT SIMPLE to SUCCEED!
It is better to use familiar language and structures accurately than to use unfamiliar vocabulary or complex structures incorrectly. To convey clear meaning, it is best to keep it simple. If you confuse the reader, you will not be successful. Being concise is much more impactful than using too many words or awkward expressions.
- Vary your word choices. Find different ways to express the same idea or word without repeating words too often.
- Vary your sentence length. Your sentences should be different lengths for maximum impact.
Write some short ones for emphasis, some medium ones for explanation and some longer ones to show your ability to write subordinate clauses.
YOUR THESIS: The most important sentence you will write
Writing a clear, relevant thesis statement is crucial. This is perhaps the most important sentence in your entire essay because it sets the tone for the reader, and serves as a point of reference to all the points you will make in the body of your essay. The reader will remember your main opinion and will use it to draw relevance and meaning from your ideas. Your thesis should appear at the end of your first paragraph (introduction).
