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    Opinion

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    Juliet Estrella
    An opinion piece is an article that expresses an author's viewpoint on an issue. Common types include columns written by guest writers with relevant expertise or experience, and editorials reflecting a newspaper's stance. Opinion pieces use language intended to persuade readers, such as emotive word choices that indicate the author's position. They are typically structured with an introduction outlining the topic and contention, a body with arguments and evidence to support the view, and a conclusion restating the main points.

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    Opinion

    Uploaded by

    Juliet Estrella
    17 views2 pages
    An opinion piece is an article that expresses an author's viewpoint on an issue. Common types include columns written by guest writers with relevant expertise or experience, and editorials reflecting a newspaper's stance. Opinion pieces use language intended to persuade readers, such as emotive word choices that indicate the author's position. They are typically structured with an introduction outlining the topic and contention, a body with arguments and evidence to support the view, and a conclusion restating the main points.

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    An opinion piece is an article that expresses an author's viewpoint on an issue. Common types include columns written by guest writers with relevant expertise or experience, and editorials reflecting a newspaper's stance. Opinion pieces use language intended to persuade readers, such as emotive word choices that indicate the author's position. They are typically structured with an introduction outlining the topic and contention, a body with arguments and evidence to support the view, and a conclusion restating the main points.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    17 views2 pages

    Opinion

    Uploaded by

    Juliet Estrella
    An opinion piece is an article that expresses an author's viewpoint on an issue. Common types include columns written by guest writers with relevant expertise or experience, and editorials reflecting a newspaper's stance. Opinion pieces use language intended to persuade readers, such as emotive word choices that indicate the author's position. They are typically structured with an introduction outlining the topic and contention, a body with arguments and evidence to support the view, and a conclusion restating the main points.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Opinion piece

    What is an opinion piece?

    An opinion piece is an article which is published which contains an author’s opinion on an


    issue; this is usually strongly worded. Opinion pieces can take a number of different forms,
    the most common of which are articles written by popular or guest columnists (for example:
    Andrew Bolt’s column in the Herald Sun). Guest columnists are usually someone who offers
    a unique perspective or has in-depth subject-specific knowledge on an issue (for example:
    Jeff Kennett, a former Victorian Premier, commenting on politics in the state). Editorials
    are another form of opinion piece. This is an article which reflects the newspapers’
    perspective on a topic and appears in the Opinion section of the paper.

    Voice
    Opinion pieces are written dominantly in the third person (he, she, him, her, his, her, they,
    them, their) throughout the text. However, first person (I, we, us) can be used, particularly
    when composing an Opinion column.

    Opinion pieces can be accompanied by a brief blurb about the author called a ‘byline’; this
    allows the reader insight into their perspective and point of view. It can also be used to help
    establish the credibility of the writer to comment on the issue.

    Tone is also an important element of opinion pieces as the author’s choice of words can
    indicate their opinion on an issue. This can also be used as a persuasive device and to
    appeal to the audience.

    Language & Grammar


     Language choice can be either formal or informal depending on the author, topic
    and type of writing. For example you are more likely to find informal language in an
    individual’s blog and more formal language in an article published in a newspaper.
     Authors can use either active or passive voice in their piece. Active voice is more
    common but this will depend on the approach taken by the author and the
    persuasive devices used.
     A blend of tenses can be used depending on whether the issue is current or not.
    Future tense can also be used when discussing what may be done about the issue or
    as a ‘call to action’ for the reader
     As the purpose of the piece is ultimately to persuade the reader, authors need to
    take into account the needs of their target audience and tailor the piece to them
     A variety of persuasive devices and appeals are also used to help position the reader
     The rhetoric chosen by the author will also indicate some of the language choices
    which will be made. For example:
    o An ethos approach (one which relies on establishing the author’s credibility
    and authority on an issue) may use more formal language and technical
    jargon - specialist vocabulary used on a particular topic; for example
    discussing ‘pedagogy’ when talking about teaching - to establish their
    expertise and knowledge in this topic.
    o A pathos approach (emotional) may use more imagery, figurative and loaded
    language
    o A logos approach (logical) may use lots of evidence, experts and technical
    jargon

    Structure and Organisation

    Introduction  Provides key contextualising and background information on the topic


    or issue
     Grabs the reader’s attention
     Establishes the author’s contention
     Can establish the author’s authority for speaking on the issue (in an
    editorial this is already established)
     Gives some hint about the direction of the piece and establishes tone

    Body  Paragraph length can vary but should only deal with one idea
     The arguments or points made in the paragraphs should build on one
    another to help prove the contention
     Provides examples, evidence and devices which help position the
    audience to accept and agree with the argument put forward

    Conclusion  Sums up the main points and arguments made in the speech
     Restates the contention
     Finishes with a strong idea or point made to leave a lasting impact on
    the audience. This could be in the form of a quote or a call to action.

    Exemplar Years 7 – 9

    Exemplar Years 10 – 12

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