An opinion essay is the most common essay there is. Schools set it from the age of seven, and English exams set it at every level, from Cambridge B2 First to IELTS. The good news is that it always has the same shape. This guide gives you that shape paragraph by paragraph, the OREO method with a template you can fill in, ways to start, the phrases that hold it together, and three worked examples, from a short paragraph to an exam-length essay.
What is an opinion essay?
An opinion essay answers a question with your own view, and gives the reasons and examples that support it. The reader should know what you think by the end of the first paragraph, and why by the end of the essay. It sits between two close relatives:
| Essay type | Aim | The other side |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion | Explain what you think and why | Optional; often one short paragraph |
| Argumentative | Prove a position with evidence | Required, and answered in detail |
| Persuasive | Win the reader over or make them act | Often short; feelings and values count too |
Need something to write about? The opinion essay topics in the essay topics list are a good place to start.
Opinion essay structure (format)
Most opinion essays have four or five paragraphs. Each one has a single job:
| Paragraph | What goes in it | You could start with |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduction | A sentence or two to introduce the topic, then your opinion in one clear sentence (your thesis). You can preview your reasons. | “Many people believe… In my opinion,…” |
| 2. Body paragraph 1 | Your strongest reason, explained, with a specific example. | “The main reason is…” |
| 3. Body paragraph 2 | Your second reason, explained, with an example. | “Another reason is…” |
| 4. The other side (optional) | The best point against your view, and why it does not change your mind. | “Some people argue that… However,…” |
| 5. Conclusion | Your opinion again, in new words, and a short summary of your reasons. No new ideas. | “In conclusion,…” / “For these reasons,…” |
The OREO method and an opinion essay template
OREO is the method many schools use to teach opinion writing. It stands for Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion: say what you think, give a reason, back it with an example, then say what you think again. For a single paragraph, OREO is the whole plan. For a full essay, the middle repeats: each body paragraph is its own reason and example.
Use this template as a graphic organizer: copy it into your notebook, or print this page, and fill in each box before you write a single sentence of the essay.
| Box | What to write | Your notes |
|---|---|---|
| O: Opinion | One sentence that answers the question | _______________________ |
| R: Reason 1 | Why you think so | _______________________ |
| E: Example 1 | A fact, a story or something you have seen | _______________________ |
| R: Reason 2 | A second, different reason | _______________________ |
| E: Example 2 | An example for the second reason | _______________________ |
| Other side | The best point against you, and your answer | _______________________ |
| O: Opinion again | Your view in new words | _______________________ |
How to write an opinion essay in 7 steps
1. Read the question twice
Underline what it asks. “Do you agree?” wants a clear yes, no or partly; “Discuss both views and give your opinion” wants both sides first.
2. Decide what you think
Pick the side you can support best, not the one that sounds cleverest. You can partly agree, as long as you say exactly how far.
3. Brainstorm reasons
Write down every reason you can think of in one minute, then keep the two or three strongest.
4. Find an example for each reason
Something specific: a fact, a short story, a place or a person. A reason with no example is only a claim.
5. Fill in the template
Put your opinion, reasons and examples in the OREO boxes above. This is your plan.
6. Write
Introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion. Start each body paragraph with its reason, and link paragraphs with phrases from the table below.
7. Check
Read it once for sense (is your opinion clear?) and once for accuracy: verb endings, articles, plurals and spelling.
How to start an opinion essay
The first sentence is a hook: a line that makes the reader want to keep going. Then comes your opinion. Four kinds of hook work well, shown here on the topic “Should every student learn to cook at school?”:
| Hook | Example opening |
|---|---|
| A question | “How many teenagers could cook dinner for their family tonight?” |
| A surprising fact or contrast | “Most teenagers can edit a video on their phone, but far fewer can boil rice.” |
| A short story | “When my cousin left home for university, she lived on instant noodles for a month.” |
| A bold statement | “Cooking is as important a life skill as reading a map.” |
Keep the hook short, then state your opinion in the next sentence or two. In a timed exam, a plain opening is fine: introduce the topic in one sentence and give your view in the second.
Three opinion essay examples
Three worked examples, each labelled so you can see the structure. They get longer and more formal as you go.
Example 1: a short opinion paragraph (OREO)
Question: Is a dog or a cat the better pet? About 100 words, the length set in primary and middle school.
| Part | Text |
|---|---|
| Opinion | I think a dog makes a better pet than a cat. |
| Reason | The main reason is that a dog is a real friend to its whole family. |
| Example | For example, my dog Bruno waits by the door every afternoon, and when I get home from school he jumps and wags his tail as if he has not seen me for a year. He also gets me outside, because he needs a walk every day, rain or sun. A cat can be lovely too, but it is happy on its own. |
| Opinion again | That is why I believe a dog is the best pet you can have. |
Example 2: a five-paragraph opinion essay
Question: Should every student learn to cook at school? About 250 words, the length of a typical school or upper-intermediate essay.
| Paragraph | Text |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Most teenagers can use a smartphone, but far fewer can cook a simple meal. In my opinion, every secondary school should teach students to cook, because it improves their health, saves them money and prepares them to live on their own. |
| Reason 1 | The main reason is health. Young people who cannot cook depend on ready meals and fast food, which are often high in salt, sugar and fat. A student who can make a quick vegetable curry or a bowl of pasta with fresh tomatoes eats better without spending much more time. Habits formed at fifteen tend to last, so school is the right place to start. |
| Reason 2 | Cooking also saves money. A takeaway lunch can cost several times as much as the same meal made at home. For example, when my cousin moved away to university, she was spending most of her budget on delivery apps until she learned five basic recipes. Within a month she was saving enough to pay for her bus pass. |
| The other side | Some people argue that cooking should be taught by parents, not teachers, and that schools have no time to spare. However, not every family has the time or the skills to teach it, and one lesson a week would be enough to cover the basics. Cooking also uses maths, science and reading, so the time is not wasted. |
| Conclusion | In conclusion, cooking lessons would make young people healthier, better with money and more independent. It is a small change to the timetable that would pay off for the rest of their lives. |
Example 3: an exam opinion essay (agree or disagree)
Question: Some people believe that tourists should learn a few words of the local language before they travel. To what extent do you agree? About 200 words, written the way an exam essay is: a clear position, two reasons, the other side answered.
| Paragraph | Text |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Many travellers visit a country without knowing a single word of its language. I strongly agree that tourists should learn a few basic phrases before they go, because it shows respect and makes the trip easier and more enjoyable. |
| Reason 1 | Firstly, a few words show respect for the people who live there. Saying “hello”, “please” and “thank you” in someone’s own language tells them you see them as hosts, not just as a service. For instance, when my aunt thanked a shopkeeper in Thai, he smiled, chatted with her for a while and gave her a small discount. |
| Reason 2 | Secondly, basic phrases solve everyday problems. Knowing how to ask for the station, the price or the bill saves time and stress, especially in places where few people speak English. |
| The other side | Admittedly, learning even a few phrases takes time, and translation apps can help. Even so, apps do not always work without the internet, and they cannot replace the warmth of a greeting from a real person. |
| Conclusion | To sum up, learning a handful of local words is a small effort that makes travel both more respectful and more practical. I believe every tourist should make it. |
Which part of the essay is it? A quiz
Each sentence below comes from an opinion essay. Decide which part it belongs to. If you can spot the parts in someone else’s writing, you will build them into your own.
Useful phrases for an opinion essay
| When you want to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Give your opinion | In my opinion, … · I strongly believe that … · From my point of view, … · I am convinced that … |
| Partly agree | I agree up to a point. · While it is true that …, … · To some extent, … |
| Add a reason | The main reason is … · Firstly, … · Another reason is … · In addition, … · What is more, … |
| Give an example | For example, … · For instance, … · A good example is … · This is clear when … |
| Show the other side | Some people argue that … · Admittedly, … · It could be said that … · On the other hand, … |
| Answer the other side | However, … · Even so, … · This is not convincing because … |
| Conclude | In conclusion, … · To sum up, … · For these reasons, … · Overall, … |
Use each phrase once at most. Three “In my opinion”s in one essay sound repetitive; “In my opinion” once, then “I am convinced that” in the conclusion, sounds controlled.
Common opinion essay mistakes
Do this
- State your opinion clearly in the introduction
- Give each reason its own paragraph
- Use one specific example for each reason
- Keep the same opinion from start to finish
- End with your view in new words
Not this
- Hide your opinion until the last paragraph
- Put three reasons in one long paragraph
- Use general claims such as “everyone knows that…”
- Agree in the introduction and disagree in the conclusion
- Add a new reason in the conclusion
How long should an opinion essay be?
As long as the task asks for, and no longer. These are typical lengths:
| Where | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Primary and middle school | One paragraph of 5 to 8 sentences (OREO), growing to three to five paragraphs |
| Secondary school and university classes | Four to five paragraphs, often 400 to 1,000 words; follow your teacher’s brief |
| Cambridge B2 First | 140 to 190 words |
| IELTS Writing Task 2 | At least 250 words, in 40 minutes |
| Duolingo English Test Writing Sample | Five minutes of writing: aim for a short, complete answer with a clear view and two reasons |
Checklist before you hand it in
Tick each point as you check your essay. Your ticks are saved in this browser.
Opinion writing on the Duolingo English Test
The Duolingo English Test has no long essay, but two of its writing tasks are opinion writing against the clock, and the OREO shape is exactly what they reward:
| DET task | Time | How to use OREO |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Writing | 5 min + 3 min | Step 1: your opinion, two reasons and an example. Step 2: answer the follow-up question in your first sentence, then build on what you already wrote. |
| Writing Sample | 5 minutes | Decide your opinion and two reasons in the first thirty seconds, then write one short paragraph per reason and a closing sentence. |
The fastest way to improve is to write timed answers: practise with real-style prompts in the writing section test, then take a full mock test to see your Writing, Literacy and Production subscores. For the photo tasks, see Write About the Photo.
Questions people ask
How do I write an opinion essay?
Read the question and decide your view. Choose two or three reasons and find a specific example for each. Write an introduction that states your opinion, one body paragraph for each reason, and a conclusion that restates your view in new words. In longer essays, add a paragraph that answers the other side.
How do I start an opinion essay?
With a short hook, then your opinion. The hook can be a question, a surprising fact, a one-line story or a bold statement. Your opinion should come in the first paragraph, ideally in one clear sentence such as “In my opinion, every school should teach cooking.”
What is a good hook for an opinion essay?
One that leads straight to your topic: a question (“How many teenagers could cook dinner tonight?”), a surprising contrast (“Most teenagers can edit a video but cannot boil rice”), a short personal story, or a bold statement. Keep it to one sentence and follow it with your opinion.
How many paragraphs should an opinion essay have?
Usually four or five: an introduction, two or three body paragraphs and a conclusion. Short school tasks may need only one OREO paragraph, and long essays can have more body paragraphs. What matters is one main point per paragraph.
What does OREO stand for in writing?
Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion. You state your opinion, give a reason, support it with an example, and finish by stating your opinion again. It is a planning method many schools use to teach opinion writing, and it scales up: in a full essay, each body paragraph is its own reason and example.
Can I use “I” in an opinion essay?
Yes. An opinion essay is about your view, so “I think”, “I believe” and “In my opinion” are normal, especially in the introduction and conclusion. In the body, make your reasons do the work: “Cooking saves money” is stronger than “I think cooking saves money”.
Should an opinion essay include the other side?
In longer essays and exams, yes: one short paragraph that states the best opposing point and explains why it does not change your view. It shows you have thought about the question. In a short paragraph for younger students, it is optional.
How long should an opinion essay be?
As long as the task says. A school paragraph is 5 to 8 sentences; a school or college essay is often 400 to 1,000 words; Cambridge B2 First asks for 140 to 190 words; IELTS Writing Task 2 asks for at least 250. In a timed test, a complete, clear answer beats a long, unfinished one.
How do I end an opinion essay?
Restate your opinion in new words and sum up your reasons in a sentence. You can end with a short final thought, such as what should happen next. Do not add a new reason or example in the conclusion, and do not change your view.
What words are good to use in an opinion essay?
Phrases that give your view (“In my opinion”, “I am convinced that”), add reasons (“The main reason is”, “What is more”), give examples (“For instance”), show the other side (“Admittedly”, “On the other hand”) and conclude (“To sum up”). Use each once, so the essay does not sound repetitive.
What is the difference between an opinion essay and an argumentative essay?
An opinion essay explains what you think and why, and the other side is optional. An argumentative essay sets out to prove a position with evidence, and must deal with the opposing view in detail. Opinion essays are usually shorter and more personal.
What is an opinion writing graphic organizer?
A planning template with a box for each part of the essay: your opinion, each reason, an example for each reason, and your opinion again. Filling it in before you write keeps the essay organised. The OREO template on this page works as one: copy it into your notebook or print the page.
How many reasons should an opinion essay give?
Two or three. Two well-explained reasons with clear examples are better than four thin ones. In a short timed task, two reasons are enough; in a longer essay, use three or use two plus a paragraph on the other side.
What tense should an opinion essay be written in?
Mostly the present simple, for your views and general truths: “Cooking saves money.” Use the past for examples from experience (“When my cousin moved…”) and modal verbs such as “should” and “would” for what ought to happen: “Schools should teach cooking.”
How do I write an opinion essay in a timed exam?
Spend the first few minutes planning: your opinion, two reasons, an example for each. Write the introduction in two sentences, give each reason its own paragraph, and keep the conclusion short. Leave two minutes to check verb endings, articles and spelling, which is where most marks slip.
Can you show me a short opinion essay example?
“I think a dog makes a better pet than a cat. The main reason is that a dog is a real friend to its whole family. For example, my dog waits by the door every afternoon and gets me outside for a walk every day. That is why I believe a dog is the best pet.” Opinion, reason, example, opinion again.
Is the Duolingo English Test Writing Sample an opinion essay?
It is opinion writing in miniature: a question, five minutes, and an answer that should take a clear position with reasons. Use the OREO shape in short form: your view, two reasons with brief examples, a closing sentence. Institutions can read your Writing Sample, so a clear, complete answer matters.
Quick reference: Opinion Essay at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What it is | Your view on a question, backed by reasons and examples. |
| Paragraphs | Usually four or five: introduction, two or three body paragraphs, conclusion. |
| Introduction | Introduce the topic, then state your opinion in one clear sentence. |
| Body paragraph | One reason, explained, with one specific example. |
| Other side | Mention it and answer it in longer essays: it makes your view stronger. |
| Conclusion | Restate your view in new words. No new ideas. |
| OREO | Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion again. |
| Good hooks | A question, a surprising fact, a short story or a bold statement. |
| Using “I” | Fine in an opinion essay, especially when you state your view. |
| In a timed exam | Plan for a few minutes, write, then keep two minutes to check. |
Walk into the DET already knowing the room.