Writing an effective argument, or opinion piece, involves prewriting planning. Identify a subject you have a strong opinion about. Next, complete each activity below to plan your argument.
- Write a sentence that clearly expresses your opinion.
- Think about why you have that opinion. List three reasons for your point of view: A, B, C.
- Reread the three reasons you wrote above. Decide which of them is most important. That should be your strongest argument. Mark that idea with the number 1. Number the next strongest argument 2, and mark the weakest argument number 3. (Note that although it is weakest, argument number 3 should be convincing).
- Identify two arguments that could be made by someone with the opposite opinion on the issue. Write them below: A, B
- Consider how you could argue against each of the two views you wrote for item 4 above. Write a brief response to each one. Response A, Response B