5 Tips for Writing an Opinion Essay

5 Tips for Writing an Opinion Essay You may be required to  write an essay  that is based on your own personal opinion about a  controversial topic. Depending on your objective, your composition could be any length, from a short  letter to the editor  to a medium-sized  speech, or a long  research paper. But every piece should contain some basic steps and elements. Collect Research to Support Your Opinion Make sure that your supporting statements match the type of composition you are writing. For example, your evidence will vary from observations (for a letter to the editor) to  trustworthy statistics(for a research paper). You should include examples and evidence that demonstrate a real understanding of your topic. This includes any potential counterclaims. In order to truly understand what you are arguing for or against, it is imperative that you understand the opposing arguments of your topic. Acknowledge the Previous Opinions or Arguments That Have Been Made More than likely you are writing about a controversial topic that has been debated before. Look ​at the arguments made in the past and see how they fit in with your opinion in the context in which you are writing. How is your point of view similar or different from those articulated by previous debaters? Has something changed in the time others were writing about it and now? If not, what does the lack of change mean?   â€Å"A common complaint among students is that the dress code restricts their rights to freedom of expression. Or â€Å"While some students feel uniforms restrict their freedom of expression, many feel the pressure to uphold certain standards of appearance by their peers.† Use a  Transition Statement Transition statements show how your opinion adds to the argument or suggests those previous statements and arguments are incomplete or faulty.  Follow up with a statement that expresses your opinion. While I agree that the regulations do hamper my ability to express my individualism, I think the economic burden that the new code brings about is a bigger concern. Or â€Å"The administration has developed a program for students needing assistance in purchasing the newly required uniforms.† Be Careful Not to be Too Sarcastic Many students come from low-income families and they simply dont have the resources to buy new clothing to suit the headmasters fashion whims. This statement contains a bit of a sour note. It would only make your argument less professional-sounding. This statement says enough: Many students come from low-income families and they simply dont have the resources to buy new clothing on short notice. Use Supporting Evidence to Back up Your Position The recent increase in fees has already led to a decrease in enrollment.Some of my friends are struggling to purchase necessities, due to the rising costs. It is important to keep the tone of your essay professional, by avoiding emotional language and any language that expresses an accusation. Use factual statements that are supported by sound evidence. Note:  Any time you develop an argument, you should start by thoroughly researching your oppositions point of view. This will help you to anticipate any potential holes or weaknesses in your own opinion or argument.

Definition and Examples of Reporting Verbs in English

Definition and Examples of Reporting Verbs in English In English grammar, a reporting verb is a  verb (such as say, tell, believe, reply, respond, or ask) used to indicate that discourse is being quoted or paraphrased. Its also called a  communication verb. [T]he number of  reporting verbs  that can be employed to mark  paraphrases  is around a dozen, author Eli Hinkel reported, and  they can be learned with relative ease while working on a writing assignment (e.g.,  the author says, states, indicates, comments, notes, observes, believes, points out, emphasizes, advocates, reports, concludes, underscores, mentions, finds), not to mention phrases with similar textual functions such as  according to the author, as the author states/indicates, in the authors view/opinion/understanding,  or  as noted/stated/mentioned. Tenses and Their Uses Most often, reporting verbs, such as seen in fiction to show dialogue, are in the past tense, because as soon as a speaker says something, it is literally in the past.   George Carlin illustrates this in this example of reported speech: I went to a bookstore and  asked  the saleswoman, Wheres the self-help section? She  said  if she  told  me, it would defeat the purpose. To contrast with  words spoken once, putting a reporting verb in the present tense is used to show an adage, something that someone has said in the past and continues to say or presently believes. For example: She always says how hes not good enough for you. Next, a reporting verb may be in the historical present tense (to refer to an event that took place in the past). The historical present is often used for dramatic effect or immediacy, to place the reader right in the scene. The technique should be used sparingly, so you dont create confusion, but its use can make for a dramatic lead to a story, for example. The year is 1938, the place, Paris. The soldiers smash shop windows and run through the street  and yell...   You also use reporting verbs in  the literary present tense (to refer to any aspect of a work of literature). This is because no matter what year you watch a particular movie or read a book, the events always unfold in the same way. The characters always say the same thing in the same order. For example, if youre writing on Hamlet, you might write, Hamlet shows his anguish when he speaks his To be soliloquy. Or if youre reviewing fantastic movie lines, you might write, Who can forget when Humphrey Bogart says  to Ingrid Bergman, Heres looking at you, kid  in Casablanca?   Dont Overuse Reporting Verbs When youre writing dialogue, if the identity of a speaker is clear from the context, such as in a back-and-forth conversation between two people, the reporting phrase is often omitted; it doesnt have to be used with  each line of dialogue, just enough times to make sure the reader doesnt get lost as far as whos speaking, such as if the conversation is long or if a third party interjects. And if the lines of conversation are short, using a bunch of he said she said gets distracting for the reader. Its more effective to leave them out in this instance. Overusing creative substitutions for, said can also get distracting for the reader. A reader goes by said quickly and doesnt lose the flow of the dialogue. Be judicious in using substitutions for said.   The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in, wrote Elmore Leonard in  The New York Times.  But  said  is far less intrusive than  grumbled, gasped, cautioned, lied. I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with she asseverated, and had to stop reading to get the dictionary. Sources Teaching Academic ESL Writing. Routledge, 2004Elmore Leonard, Easy on the Adverbs, Exclamation Points and Especially Hooptedoodle.  July 16, 2001

Violence in Modern Drama Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Violence in Modern Drama - Essay Example Both works deal with different forms of racism, hatred and violence. Both the works try to show the futility of violence and hatred. In both the works, the mental turmoil faced by teenage boys due to frustration and confusion is highlighted .In "Master Harold and the Boys"' the cause of the violence is the policy of Apartheid followed by the government of South Africa , which fanned the anger and hatred between the blacks and the whites. In "American History X" written by David McKenna and directed by Tony Kaye, the death of their father who was shot while he was doing his duty as a fireman, turns the sons violent and full of hate for the other races. Athol Fugard has written a semi- autobiographical play in "Master Harold". The entire play takes place in a restaurant, St.George's Tea Room, in Port Elizabeth in South Africa . The year is 1950, when South Africa still followed a policy of apartheid. The play begins when the seventeen year old boy Hally (Harold), who is the son of the owner of the restaurant, comes back from school. Hally treats Sam and Willie, the two black employees as his friends. Sam is his special friend because Sam allows himself to be taught by the boy. Hally's father is an alcoholic and Hally does not like him. In fact, he hopes his father will stay some more days in the hospital where he is admitted. The friendship between Hally who is white and Sam and Willie who are black is quite sincere. Sam had taught the boy how to make a kite and fly it. Making and flying a kite had increased Hally’s self confidence. Hally teaches Sam what he learnt in school, and Sam teaches Hally real life skills, like a father. Sam is an admirable character, who attempts to transcend the hate. He thinks life is like a dance where nobody knows the steps. In the racist environment of South Africa, Hally's role model is Sam, since his own father is not an admirable character. Hally who lacked self confidence, is taught by Sam to make and fly the kite .By the act of flying a kite, Hally gains self confidence. He says, ".I still can't believe my eyes.It was flying.I was so proud of us." (Fugard 1092) In the mid twentieth century, South Africa followed a policy of apartheid which humiliated the blacks. Sam says, referring to a "WHITES ONLY" bench on which Hally was sitting, "I couldn't sit down there and stay with you". (Fugard 1091) Growing up in such an environment, Hally is a confused person. Hally's father who is a cripple and a racist besides being an alcoholic, makes him do horrible tasks like cleaning pot full of phlegm Finally , when Hally hears that his father is returning from the hospital that day, his confusion turns into rage, and he ends by spitting in Sam's face. He forgets all the teachings of Sam to consider life like a dance, and turns violent. The policy of apartheid and his father's blatant racism are too much and they push him towards violence. The film "American History X" also deals with violence caused among young people by hate and intolerance. Written by David McKenna and directed by Tony Kaye, "American HistoryX" is a powerful