108 / Methods of Development
Finally, each candidate sees the depressed economy as a major issue in the Eighth District.
Brolliette proposes tax incentives to lure big businesses into the area. The Republican incum-
bent, in fact, voted for the huge tax incentive that brought two moderate-sized businesses to
the area. Suddenly, however, area citizens have been hit with major increases in their personal
property tax bills, some increases as much as double. Although the businesses offered over
1,200 jobs, almost all have gone to employees who accepted a transfer as a result of one
business’s plant closing in the Southwest. So irate local citizens are footing the tax bill for jobs
not open to them. Brolliette continues to defend the position. Kinsingtonne, on the other hand,
warned City Council and County Council members that citizens would resent the increase. He
fought for citizen protection even before he announced his candidacy for office. Apparently he
understands the common man’s plight and the ramifications of big business on the little man’s
pocketbook.
Surely little doubt remains who will make the best representative for the Eighth District. Kins-
ingtonne understands the impact of proposals on individual rights, on local environment, and
on taxpayers’ pocketbooks. He identifies with the individual and risks unpopular positions to do
what he knows is right. That’s good.ANALYSIS of THE SAMPLE oPINIoN PAPER
The preceding sample paper follows the guidelines for a good opinion paper. In addi-
tion to effective organization and good theme structure, note the following:
- The introduction compliments both candidates but concludes with the
intentionally vague thesis sentence alluding to three reasons the writer prefers
one candidate over the other. - Each paragraph explains an issue or a situation in which Kinsingtonne has,
in the writer’s opinion, proposed a better plan or behaved in a better way than
Brolliette. - While the paper gives the reader some individual issues with which to identify,
the personal involvement is not as direct as that in a persuasive paper or in a
letter to the editor. - The comparison-and-contrast approach allows the writer to discuss first
Brolliette’s position or proposal and counter it with the “better” Kinsingtonne
position or proposal. [See Chapter 8, Comparison and Contrast, for a discussion
of organizational patterns.] - The conclusion states the writer’s position without asking readers to vote for
Kinsingtonne or to agree.
Compare the sample opinion paper with your own and apply the techniques to your
own work. You should have a successful opinion paper.