Opinion Column
- Adapt your language to your audience and the context. Use semi-formal to formal register.
- Use conversational, emotive, and persuasive language.
- Make sure your sentences are complete and well structured.
- Sometimes you may use first-person, but it will depend on the context.
- Use varied vocabulary to give strong opinions regarding your topic.
- Introductory paragraph: include an eye-catching title that clarifies and emphasizes the opinion of the writer. Use a powerful quote from a text to emphasize your position and set the tone of your column.
- Body paragraphs: start with your topic linking it with the quote you used to strengthen your argument. Emphasize your opinion and set your position clear. Use persuasive and emotive phrases and sentences since they have a strong effect on the reader. Provide reasons for the opinion, with examples and facts. Eventually, use “we” to imply everyone who should share the writer’s opinions. Establish yourself as an authority on the topic.
- Closing paragraph: conclude with a brief biodata and references to ensure that the audience remembers that the writer is knowledgeable and that his/her arguments have been supported by research.
- Audience: This will be defined by the publication context.
- Context: This will depend on your particular stance or judgment.
- Purpose: To discuss in a provocative and stimulating way – and explore the issue in some depth.
- Saad AlDin, K. & Morley, K. (2018). English B: Second Edition. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Pages 405-407.
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