H5 Writing an article of Opinion

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

Period 1 Article of Opinion

The assignment (p. 30 - 32)

Write a 4 or 5-paragraph article of opinion of about 300 words (450 words in the test) on one of the following 3 topics. Choose one topic. Read the text first and write your reaction. It should be clear what your opinion is.

    

Do not use words or phrases from the text itself but do refer to the content of the text.

You are allowed to use a paper dictionary and the spelling check in Exam.net.

The three topics: 

- Class sizes

- Should schools teach students how to be happy?

- Should we think twice about buying online?

Step 1: Choose a topic

Read the texts and choose the topic that you have the strongest opinion about.

Choosing a topic

Scan the three texts. 

- What is the main topic of each text?

- On which topic do you have the strongest opinion?

Read the text you chose carefully.

Step 2: Your outline

Writing an outline

Parts of the outline of an article of opinion:

• Hook
• Statement
• 2 or 3 arguments that support your statement
• Examples for every argument
• Concluding statement

Where in an article of opinion do you write the statement?

1. At the start of the introduction
2. In the middle of the introduction
3. At the end of the introduction
4. In the first line of the body

The statement

You always start with the statement (your opinion).

The statement should be debatable: people should be able to disagree with you.

Tip: start with the word 'Therefore,' and use the verb 'should'.

Which of these is a good / the best statement?

1. The question is whether teenagers younger than 18 are responsible enough to vote.
2. People younger than 18 should not be allowed to vote.
3. Should teenagers younger than 18 be allowed to vote?
4. People younger than 18 are not responsible enough to vote.

Example: read the text

Before you start writing, you will have to read a text. Make sure you know what the main topic of the text is. 

Your next step is to form your opinion based on the topic discussed in the text. 

The text in the example on the next slide is about the question whether a high salary or job satisfaction is more important.

Example

A Guide for Choosing Between a Job for Money vs. Passion

Written by Indeed Editorial Team

Updated June 9, 2025

Salary is often an important consideration when applying for and choosing a job. People often weigh their financial needs against jobs that might fulfill their passions in different industries. Learning about these two factors to consider when pursuing a career can help you decide if one might be more important for your professional and personal life.

[...]

Choosing a career for money versus passion

When choosing a career path, it can be important to understand the differences between pursuing one that can earn you more money or one in your field of passion. When you choose a career for money, you're basing your choice on how much your employer will pay you. This could include hourly pay or yearly salary plus extra compensation like bonuses and company stocks. People who choose a career or job because of the amount of their paycheck may value the money for various reasons that could include taking care of their families, purchasing a house or saving for retirement.

Choosing a career for passion means basing your choice on how happy you'll be to do your job. Passions are unique to each person, and when someone chooses a job for passion, they typically care more about how the activities of the job may make them feel or affect their health and free time than the compensation.

A Guide for Choosing Between a Job for Money vs. Passion

Salary is often an important consideration when applying for and choosing a job. People often weigh their financial needs against jobs that might fulfill their passions in different industries. Learning about these two factors to consider when pursuing a career can help you decide if one might be more important for your professional and personal life.

[...]

Choosing a career for money versus passion

When choosing a career path, it can be important to understand the differences between pursuing one that can earn you more money or one in your field of passion. When you choose a career for money, you're basing your choice on how much your employer will pay you. This could include hourly pay or yearly salary plus extra compensation like bonuses and company stocks. People who choose a career or job because of the amount of their paycheck may value the money for various reasons that could include taking care of their families, purchasing a house or saving for retirement.

      Choosing a career for passion means basing your choice on how happy you'll be to do your job. Passions are unique to each person, and when someone chooses a job for passion, they typically care more about how the activities of the job may make them feel or affect their health and free time than the compensation.

Example statement

The question in the text is whether a high salary or job satisfaction is more important.

People should be able to have different opinions about your statement , so you could formulate the following statement:

Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

Revision: Which of these is a good statement?

1. If people don’t have travel insurance, they have to pay a lot for emergency healthcare while on holiday.
2. The question is whether people need travel insurance.
3. Is travel insurance worth the money?
4. Everyone who travels abroad should have travel insurance.

New: Which of these is a good argument?

1. If people don’t have travel insurance, they have to pay a lot for emergency healthcare while on holiday.
2. The question is whether people need travel insurance.
3. Is travel insurance worth the money?
4. Everyone who travels abroad should have travel insurance.

Your arguments

For your opinion article, you have to come up with 2 or 3 arguments that SUPPORT your opinion.

You could also say: your arguments are the reasons why you believe the statement to be true.

Example

Now you have to develop your arguments. Why do you believe it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money?

Argument 1: If someone enjoys their job, they feel happier and less stressed, which is good for their mental and physical health.

Argument 2: People who like their jobs work harder and are more motivated, which can lead to success and sometimes even higher earnings in the future.

Argument 3: When people enjoy their job it is easier to have a good balance between work and personal life, which helps them stay positive and have time for family, friends, and hobbies.

Your arguments

On your opinion organizer, state at least two arguments that support the statement that you have chosen.

Remember, arguments are REASONS why your statement is true.

Use a linking word (Choose from: Firstly, / Secondly, / Moreover, / In addition, / Finally, ) at the start of your argument.

Supporting Details

Now you have found your arguments, you will have to back them up. This is where you need the information from the lessons about media literacy.

The first sentence (the topic sentence) in a body paragraph is the argument. The rest of the paragraph consists of the explanation, examples and facts.

Example

The first body paragraph:

Argument (topic sentence)

Firstly, if someone enjoys their job, they feel happier and less stressed, which is good for their mental and physical health.

Supporting details

- People who enjoy their jobs wake up feeling positive and excited to start the day.

- They are less likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, or burnout.

- A happy worker is more likely to have good relationships with colleagues and family.

Your supporting details

On your opinion organizer, state at least two supporting details per argument.

Use key words (you don't need entire sentences yet)!

The hook

How can you grab the reader's attention? You will have to make the first sentence(s) interesting enough.

An intriguing rhetorical question

A surprising fact or statistic

An interesting anecdote

An evocative image or description

A common misconception

Example

If this is your statement:

Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

Your hook could be:

Have you ever thought about whether it is better to earn a lot of money or to truly enjoy your job?

Your hook

On your opinion organizer, write down what your hook will be. How do you grab the reader's attention?

Choose from:

An intriguing rhetorical question

A surprising fact or statistic

An interesting anecdote

An evocative image or description

A common misconception

The concluding statement

An ending or concluding statement should give a sense of closure to your readers. Your last statement should be catchy and prove the importance of your ideas/opinions.

Your last sentence could also be a call to action, if you believe something has to change.

Example

If this is your statement:

Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

This could be your concluding statement:

Money may pay the bills, but if only doing what we love can bring real joy and satisfaction to our life.

Your concluding statement

On your opinion organizer, write down what your concluding statement will be. Just like the hook, this needs to grab the reader's attention and leave them with something to think about.

Your final outline

What you have now created is the outline for your article of opinion. Creating the outline takes up most time in the writing process. If you have created a good outline, you will have a much easier time writing the rest of your article.

Tip: start the test by creating this outline!

Step 3: From Outline to Article

Using the outline

This is the outline for the article about high salary versus job satisfaction:

Hook: Have you ever thought about whether it is better to earn a lot of money or to truly enjoy your job?

Statement: Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

Argument 1: If someone enjoys their job, they feel happier and less stressed, which is good for their mental and physical health.

Argument 2: People who like their jobs work harder and are more motivated, which can lead to success and sometimes even higher earnings in the future.

Argument 3: When people enjoy their job it is easier to have a good balance between work and personal life, which helps them stay positive and have time for family, friends, and hobbies.

Concluding statement: Money may pay the bills, but if only doing what we love can bring real joy and satisfaction to our life.

From outline to article

What you have to do now is connect the ideas on your outline with complete sentences.

In the introduction, you have to get from the hook to the statement. How do you link those two?

In the body paragraphs, you have to use complete sentences to give examples and facts.

In the conclusion, you have to summarise your arguments and restate your statement. You have to use different sentences than in the rest of the article.

Example: Introduction

The first sentence in your introduction is your hook:

Have you ever thought about whether it is better to earn a lot of money or to truly enjoy your job?

The last sentence in your introduction is your statement:

Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

What can you write to connect these two?

-> Give some background information about the problem.

-> Use linking words to connect your ideas and sentences

Example: Introduction

Have you ever thought about whether it is better to earn a lot of money or to truly enjoy your job? Many people believe that a high salary is the key to a successful and happy life. They think that earning more money can solve problems and bring satisfaction. However, having a job that brings happiness and fulfillment is often more valuable than the size of a paycheck. A person who enjoys their work is usually more motivated, less stressed, and healthier. Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

Your introduction

Which topic did you choose?

What is your hook?

What is your statement?

What can you write to connect the two?

Body Paragraphs

You start a body paragraph with a linking word (Choose from: Firstly, / Secondly, / Moreover, / In addition, / Finally, ).

The first sentence is the topic sentence: your argument.

The rest of the paragraph consists of the explanation, examples and facts. In addition, you have to link your argument back to the statement.

Example: Body paragraphs

Statement: Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

Argument 1: If someone enjoys their job, they feel happier and less stressed, which is good for their mental and physical health.

Argument 2: People who like their jobs work harder and are more motivated, which can lead to success and sometimes even higher earnings in the future.

Argument 3: When people enjoy their job it is easier to have a good balance between work and personal life, which helps them stay positive and have time for family, friends, and hobbies.

Argument (topic sentence)

Firstly, if someone enjoys their job, they feel happier and less stressed, which is good for their mental and physical health.

Supporting details

- People who enjoy their jobs wake up feeling positive and excited to start the day.

- They are less likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, or burnout.

- A happy worker is more likely to have good relationships with colleagues and family.

Example: First body paragraph

Firstly, if someone enjoys their job, they feel happier and less stressed, which is good for their mental and physical health. People who look forward to their work wake up feeling positive and excited to start the day. This positive attitude helps them avoid feelings of stress, anxiety, or burnout, which are common among people who dislike their jobs. When workers feel happy and relaxed, they are also more likely to build good relationships with colleagues, friends, and family members. Enjoying work not only improves mood but also creates a healthier and more balanced life, which is why a high salary is less important than passion.

Your body paragraphs

What is your first argument?

And your second? 

(and third?)

Write your (two or three) body paragraphs in which you develop your arguments.

Pay attention to linking words and linking your argument back to your statement.

Conclusion

In the conclusion, you summarise your arguments with different words than you've used in the body paragraphs. In addition, you restate your statement. Finally, you end with a catchy sentence, or a call to action.

Example: Conclusion

In conclusion, having a job that brings happiness is more valuable than simply earning a high income. People who enjoy their work tend to be healthier and experience less stress in their daily lives. They are often more motivated and successful because they feel inspired by what they do. In addition, they can maintain a better balance between their work and personal life, which helps them stay positive and fulfilled. Choosing a job that brings satisfaction is the key to long-term happiness and well-being. Money may pay the bills, but only doing what we love can bring real joy and satisfaction to our life.

Your conclusion

How do you start the concluding paragraph?

Summarize your arguments in different words.

Link them to the statement.

End with a catchy sentence, or a call to action.

Title

The final part of your article that you have to come up with is the title. The title is always last, because it has to reflect the opinion as you have stated it in your article.

A title should follow four rules :

1. It should be catchy. If a title is not interesting, people are not going to read an essay.

2. It should be between one and eight words long.

3. It should not be a complete sentence, so leave out the main verb.

4. It should give readers an idea of what is to come.

Example: Title

If this is the topic, what could be the title?

Have you ever thought about whether it is better to earn a lot of money or to truly enjoy your job? Many people believe that a high salary is the key to a successful and happy life. They think that earning more money can solve problems and bring satisfaction. However, having a job that brings happiness and fulfillment is often more valuable than the size of a paycheck. A person who enjoys their work is usually more motivated, less stressed, and healthier. Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

What would be the best title?

1. It is more important to enjoy your job than to earn a lot of money.
2. How to Get Rich Fast
3. Doing What We Love
4. Jobs and Money

Your title

What could be a good title for your own practice article?

Remember - A title should follow four rules :

1. It should be catchy. If a title is not interesting, people are not going to read an essay.

2. It should be between one and eight words long.

3. It should not be a complete sentence, so leave out the main verb.

4. It should give readers an idea of what is to come.