C h a p t e r 1 2
Opinion
B
ecause an opinion, by definition, cannot be proven, a writer who expresses one
has an important responsibility. The writer must somehow show that she or he
has examined all the facts, angles, possibilities, and, as a result, has made a judg-
ment or formed an opinion.
The opinion paper serves many purposes, from sharing ideas to stimulating think-
ing. It may explain the writer’s reasons for holding certain positions, taking certain
actions, or having certain reactions. In addition, it may cause the reader to further
examine evidence in an effort to support or disprove the writer’s opinion.
The opinion paper and the persuasion (or argumentative) paper bear some similari-
ties; however, the persuasion paper has as its chief purpose to change the reader’s
mind. [See Chapter 13, Persuasion.]
A letter to the editor is a specific kind of opinion paper, some trying to persuade read-
ers, many merely expressing an opinion. [See Chapter 26, Letters, Editorial Letters.]
cHaracteristics
The opinion paper should include a number of specific kinds of details. Generally,
the opinion essay should
-^ deal with a subject that cannot be proven,
-^ deal with a topic worthy of the writer’s effort and the reader’s time, that is,
express an opinion not widely held,
-^ express an opinion likely to cause opposition,
-^ indicate the writer’s careful examination of the available facts,
-^ provide details, illustrations, statistics, examples, comparisons, contrasts,
definitions, descriptions, causes, effects, and analogies to support the opinion
[see detail, statistics, and example in the Glossary, and Comparison and Contrast
(Chapter 8), Definition (Chapter 9), Description (Chapter 10), Cause and Effect
(Chapter 6), and Analogy (Chapter 5)],
-^ avoid phrases such as I believe, I think, or in my opinion, because the paper’s
purpose is to express opinion,