AN OPINION ESSAY

Writing an essay often takes the form of ……………..…………—convincing others that you have an interesting,
logical point of view on the subject. Convince your reader of your …………………..…………….
You need to develop a …………….………..and to …………………………….. persuasively.
Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible
……………..………….. between them.

INTRODUCTION
1. Catchphrase / hook :
Start with a ……………………..……………. linked to the ………………… (not a generality).
Try to catch the reader`s attention.

2. Rephrase :
Explain the topic in other words taking into consideration each word of it.
Avoid repeating the topic.

3. Thesis statement :
Take a position. State your …………………… on the topic. Do NOT answer the question raised in the topic.
Tell the reader how you will interpret the significance of the topic.
Provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument.
Present the focus of your essay and tell your reader what the essay is going to be about.

DO NOT WRITE : « First, we will speak about …, and then we will develop … »

Example : Nature in Mark Twain`s Huckleberry Finn

Weak thesis statement : Nature is very important in Mark Twain`s novel for many reasons.
Fair thesis statement : In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and
life on the shore.
Strong thesis statement : Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain's Huckleberry Finn suggests
that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave "civilized" society and go back
to nature.

BODY
1. Start each part with a ……………… …………..……...
2. Give examples and/or references to support your argument (supporting details)
3. Finish with a c………………………. s…………………………

CONCLUSION
1. Restate your …………..………., s…………………………. your ideas.
2. Branch out: put your thesis into broader perspective.

BE CLEAR:  Skip lines between paragraphs.

 Start each paragraph with indented lines.
 Use link words all along your essay for coherence and fluidity
 AN OPINION ESSAY

Writing an essay often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical
point of view on the subject. Convince your reader of your point of view.
You need to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively.
Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible
relationships between them.

INTRODUCTION
1. Catchphrase :
Start with a general sentence linked to the topic (not a generality).
Try to catch the reader`s attention.

2. Rephrase :
Explain the topic in other words taking into consideration each word of it.
Avoid repeating the topic.

3. Thesis statement :
Take a position. State your point of view on the topic. Do NOT answer the question raised in the topic.
Tell the reader how you will interpret the significance of the topic.
Provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument.
Present the focus of your essay and tell your reader what the essay is going to be about.

DO NOT WRITE : « First, we will speak about …, and then we will develop … »

Example : Nature in Mark Twain`s Huckleberry Finn

Weak thesis statement : Nature is very important in Mark Twain`s novel for many reasons.
Fair thesis statement : In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and
life on the shore.
Strong thesis statement : Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain's Huckleberry Finn suggests
that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave "civilized" society and go back
to nature.

BODY
1. Start each part with a topic sentence.
3. Give examples and/or references to support your argument (supporting details).
2. Finish with a concluding sentence.

CONCLUSION
1. Restate your thesis, summarize your ideas.
2. Branch out: put your thesis into broader perspective.

BE CLEAR:  Skip lines between paragraphs.

 Start each paragraph with indented lines.
 Use link words all along your essay for coherence and fluidity.