How to Write a 5-Paragraph Opinion Essay

Writing an opinion essay is a classic assignment given in high school and college. It’s a style of writing where you can share your opinions and thoughts on something. However, sometimes students find it challenging to write such a paper as they don’t know how to tackle the project. But once you know the steps and get used to writing them, they become much easier. 

Further, writing opinion essays is a great way to grow your writing skills. And the best opinion essays are not just about your opinion but also about giving reasons for it and backing it up with evidence.

Tips on How to Write a 5-Paragraph Opinion Essay

Generally, this essay has three major parts, an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. And to churn out an excellent article, here are the quick tips on how to write a 5 paragraph opinion essay.

Do Thorough Research for the Essay

If you want your opinion essay to stand out and be above reproach, thorough research is a must-do. Comprehensive research means reading and studying your topic as much as possible. 

This way, you will have enough information and knowledge about the subject matter to write about it. Moreover, it would be best if you got down to the basics of the topic so there will be no need for further research later on. This also helps you save more time.

Also see: How to write opinion essay without using I

Conducting thorough research also means looking for more than one source of information since it gives you an idea about how credible the information is and whether it is reliable.

It entails finding out all the information about the topic as much as you can. Read books, magazines, and newspapers about it. You can also watch television programs, listen to radio shows, talk with people who know about the topic, use the internet for searching purposes, and visit museums and libraries for more information. However, a simple internet search or book reading would suffice, especially if you do not have much time to do all the suggested research.

After gathering all this information, be sure you have enough material for your essay before starting to write. Don’t start writing before knowing everything about your subject matter. Make sure that whatever you write is accurate and well-founded because if not, there’s no point in writing. 

Identify the Main Points to shape your Introduction and Body Paragraphs

Since an opinion essay is a deep-research and intensive one, you must identify your key points. However, a 5 paragraph essay is relatively small, and you must identify the primary issues you will use to make your arguments.

Otherwise, if you cannot identify what is primary and what point is secondary, you might end up with a relatively longer essay that you do not. The reason for identification is that if you don’t identify the main points, your paper will lack a central argument and be hard to follow.

The best way to identify the main points in an essay is by asking yourself these questions

• What is my thesis statement?
• What are my arguments supporting this thesis statement?
• What are examples that support my arguments?
• How do these examples connect with each other?

Use Transition Clauses

When writing a five-paragraph opinion essay, it is vital to remember that you will be writing on a single topic, albeit with several supporting pieces of evidence. This is akin to a tree, where the trunk is the main idea, and the branches are the paragraphs, each with evidence. Therefore, your essay needs to flow smoothly, which is only possible if you use transition words. 

Using transition words and phrases helps readers flow along with your ideas. This is because they connect one idea with the next for readers to understand the logic behind each paragraph.

Write Passionately and Convincingly

An opinion essay displays your convincing skills and your argument’s depth or strength. You can do this by using strong evidence and backing up your points with facts. It’s also important to show your audience you’re well-informed about the topic. 

For example, if you’re writing an essay about global warming, provide relevant and up-to-date facts and data to prove your point and show your audience you know what you’re talking about.

Further, support your opinion with facts and logical arguments. Your point of view needs to be backed up with evidence to be strong enough for readers to accept it as accurate or valid. Without supporting evidence, your argument will seem weak and unconvincing, even if you have good reasons for believing what you think is true.

Proofread your Work

Proofreading and editing your work is a must-do in every piece of writing. This helps you catch any spelling, grammar, punctuation, or mistakes.

The following are some tips that can help you to proofread your work;

Read it aloud. When you read out loud, there is no doubt that you will find mistakes more easily because usually, when you read silently, you tend to skip over some words without even knowing them. So if possible, try reading out loud, as this will help correct any grammatical/spelling errors in time before submitting your work.

Get help from a friend. If you are confident about yourself, then this may not be necessary. However, getting someone else to read your work through could be helpful if you are not so sure. When an extra pair of eyes go through your work, there is a possibility of noting a problem you may have skipped unknowingly.

Wrap Up

All in all, it should not now be a challenge if asked to write a 5 paragraph opinion essay. These steps are the basics that will ensure you write a high-quality paper. Always research before starting to write, break the information into primary and tertiary points and start writing. Remember, this is a relatively short essay with five paragraphs, so you should be strategic about grouping your points.

Additionally, use appropriate connectors while writing to ensure your points flow well and you do not lose your readers. Finally, always proofread your work before submitting it, as it helps you to polish the paper and remove any mistakes.

However, do not be disappointed if you do not find your footing first. Always aim to become better with each subsequent piece of writing.