Writing an Opinion Article

The style of a newspaper article changes if it is an informational article or an opinion article. An opinion article is written to give the writer’s perspective and views on a particular topic.

Choosing a topic

When writing an opinion article, plan out the topic of the article.
- The topic of the article is something that you are interested in or passionate about.
Decide what your perspective (point of view) on the topic is.

Topic examples

For example, you could write an opinion article about news in your local community, such as a particular community service like the local library closing.
- Or you could write an opinion article about national or world news in response to an event that has just happened.

Features

The features of an informational article and an opinion article are similar.
- An opinion article aims to persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint more than an informational article.
Facts and statistics are important in an opinion article so that your article provides information on the topic.
- Expert opinions and direct quotations of people involved in an event or topic are also important.

Rhetorical methods

Opinion pieces will include more rhetorical (persuasive) methods such as: rhetorical questions, direct address, and emotive language.
Rhetorical methods can be used to help the reader persuade with your point of view.

Anecdotes

Anecdotes are a short story detailing a person’s experiences.
- Anecdotes of either the writer or others relevant to the topic can be helpful to present the more ‘human’ side of a story.

Clear point of view & conclusion

Avoid ‘sitting on the fence’, which means providing all sides of the argument.
- Make sure that your point of view is clear.
Write a powerful conclusion.
- A conclusion helps the reader to understand why they should agree with you or to take action if needed.

1Spelling

1.1Spelling

1.1.1Hard 'U' & 'I' Sounds

1.1.2Words Ending in '-sure', & '-mure'

1.1.3Words Ending in '-sion'

1.1.4'Ei', 'Eigh' & 'Ey' Spellings

1.1.5Spelling Words with 'Ch'

1.1.6Spelling Words with 'Sc'

1.1.7Silent Letters

1.1.8i Before e Rule

1.1.9Hard & Soft 'c' Sounds

1.1.10End of Topic Test - Spelling

1.2Prefixes

1.2.1'Anti-' & 'Auto-'

1.2.2Not & 'Inter-'

1.2.3'Mis-', 'Dis-' & 'Re-'

1.2.4'Sub-' & 'Super-'

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Prefixes

1.3Suffixes

1.3.1Vowel Suffixes

1.3.2Short Vowel Suffixes

1.3.3Suffixes: '-ous'

1.3.4Rules for Suffixes: '-ous'

1.3.5Rules for Suffixes: '-ous' 2

1.3.6Suffixes: '-ly'

1.3.7Suffixes: '-ation'

1.3.8Suffixes: '-ation' 2

1.3.9Spelling: '-tion' Endings

1.3.10Spelling: '-sion' Endings

1.3.11Spelling: '-ssion' Endings

1.3.12Spelling: '-cian' Endings

1.3.13End of Topic Test - Suffixes

1.3.14End of Topic Test - Spelling

1.4Making Words Plural

1.4.1Plurals

1.4.2End of Topic Test - Plurals

1.5Homophones

1.6Word Meanings

1.6.1Homonyms

1.6.2End of Topic Test - Homonyms

2Punctuation

3Grammar

3.1Word Classes

3.1.1Nouns

3.1.2Pronouns

3.1.3Verbs

3.1.4Adjectives & Adverbs

3.1.5Qualifiers & Quantifiers

3.1.6Determiners

3.1.7Prepositions

3.1.8Synonyms & Antonyms

3.1.9End of Topic Test - Word Classes

3.2Conjunctions

3.2.1Coordinating Conjunctions

3.2.2Subordinating Conjunctions

3.2.3End of Topic Test - Conjunctions

3.3Writing Coherently

3.3.1Building Cohesion in Writing

3.3.2Avoiding Ambiguity in Writing

3.3.3End of Topic Test - Cohesion

3.4Verbs

3.4.1Subject-verb Agreement

3.4.2End of Topic Test - Subject-verb

3.5Modal Verbs

3.5.1Modal Verbs

3.5.2Can & Could

3.5.3May & Might

3.5.4Should & Shall

3.5.5Will & Would

3.5.6Must & Have To

3.5.7End of Topic Test - Modals

3.6Phrasal Verbs

3.6.1Phrasal Verbs

3.6.2End of Topic Test - Phrasal Verbs

3.7Subjunctive Verbs

3.7.1Subjunctive Verbs

3.7.2End of Topic Test - Verbs

3.8Sentences

3.8.1Subject of a Sentence

3.8.2Object of a Sentence

3.8.3Main & Subordinate Clauses

3.8.4Simple Sentences & Compound Sentences

3.8.5Complex Sentences

3.8.6Relative Clauses

3.8.7Relative Clauses Without Relative Pronouns

3.8.8Participle Clauses

3.8.9Run-on Sentences

3.8.10Sentence Functions

3.8.11End of Topic Test - Sentences

3.9Tenses

3.9.1Present Tense

3.9.2Past Tense

3.9.3Past Tense Using Have

3.9.4Future Tense

3.9.5Present vs Past vs Future

3.9.6Continuity of Tenses

3.9.7End of Topic Test - Tenses

3.10Adverbials

3.10.1Adverbial

3.10.2Saying Where & When

3.10.3Saying How Often

3.10.4Saying How & Why

3.10.5Using Commas for Fronted Adverbials

3.10.6End of Topic Test - Adverbials

3.11Language Techniques

3.11.1Figurative & Emotive Language

3.11.2Active & Passive Voice

3.11.3Idiomatic Expressions

3.11.4End of Topic Test - Language Techniques

4Decoding Words

4.1Common Word Roots

4.1.1Saving

4.1.2Certainty & Clarity

4.1.3New & Alone

4.1.4Believing & Thinking

4.1.5Carrying & Leading

4.1.6Shape & Place

4.1.7Doing & Making

4.1.8Climbing & Going

4.1.9End of Topic Test - Common Root Words

4.1.10End of Topic Test - Common Root Words 2

4.2Common Prefixes

4.2.1For & Against

4.2.2All & Same

4.2.3Away & Far

4.2.4Colour & Shape

4.2.5Back & Down

4.2.6Numbers

4.2.7Across & Through

4.2.8Life & Earth

4.2.9Empty & Broken

4.2.10Great & Greater

4.2.11Hearing & Speaking

4.2.12Apart & Together

4.2.13Over & Under

4.2.14In

4.2.15Less & Smaller

4.2.16Before & After

4.2.17End of Topic Test - Common Prefixes 2

4.2.18End of Topic Test - Common Prefixes

4.3Common Suffixes

4.3.1Characterised By

4.3.2Disease

4.3.3Lover & Lacking

4.3.4Belief & Study

4.3.5People

4.3.6State & Quality

4.3.7Sound & Colour

4.3.8Capable & Relating

4.3.9End of Topic Test - Common Suffixes

4.3.10End of Topic Test - Common Suffixes 2

5Reading & Writing

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