What is an opinion essay?

Opinion essay outline (example)

If you’re not sure what an opinion essay should look like, here is an example of an opinion essay outline using the five-paragraph essay structure.
Prompt: Should students be required to do homework?
Introduction
Hook reader with a statistic about how much time the average student will spend on homework.
State the prompt: We accept homework as a natural part of our scholarly lives. But should we?
Thesis: I do not believe homework should be required of students because it widens inequality and damages students’ mental health.
Body paragraph 1
Homework widens the gap between socioeconomic classes because those with access to time and resources, like tutors, will do better on their homework and get higher grades in class.
Talk about the paper showing the gap in education investment between high- and low-income families. 
Body paragraph 2
Homework creates extra stress in students’ lives and can have a negative effect on mental health.
Quote from Stanford study: “students in high-achieving communities who spend too much time on homework experience more stress, physical health problems, a lack of balance and even alienation from society.”
Body paragraph 3
Counterargument: Some may argue for homework as a way of instilling discipline and persistence in students, regardless of how well a student performs on the assignment.
While that is true, students learn and demonstrate discipline and persistence simply in the act of getting up and going to school five days a week. Provide an anecdote about your morning routine and getting ready for school every day.
Conclusion
Restate opinion: I do not think that homework should be required of students.
The way that homework exacerbates inequality and harms mental health creates costs that far outweigh the benefits of homework.

Opinion essay FAQs