Opinion column — the text type: An opinion column is a short, personal piece for a newspaper, magazine or blog in which the writer defends a clear point of view on a current issue.
It belongs to the theme Sharing the planet / media texts. Unlike a news report, a column is not neutral — the writer takes a side, in the first person, and tries to persuade the reader.
Learn the vocabulary below as a glossary: each term with its meaning, then reuse it in the reading and writing sections.
- opinion column
- a short, personal newspaper/blog piece defending one point of view
- to take a stance / a position
- to decide clearly which side you are on
- thesis
- the main point of view a column argues for
- to persuade
- to make the reader agree with you
- headline
- the short, catchy title at the top of the column
- rhetorical question
- a question asked for effect, not for a real answer ("Do we really need this?")
- to back / to support
- to argue in favour of an idea
- to acknowledge the other side
- to admit the opposing view has a point before answering it
- register
- how formal or informal the language is, chosen to fit the reader
- first person
- writing from "I" — the voice an opinion column uses
- to call for action
- to urge the reader to do something ("the time has come to…")
- current issue
- a topic that people are debating right now
| Convention of an opinion column | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A catchy headline, often a question | Hooks the reader and hints at your stance. |
| A clear stance in the first line | The reader must know which side you are on. |
| First person, persuasive tone | A column is your voice, not a neutral report. |
| Acknowledge the other view, then answer it | Shows balance and makes your argument stronger. |
| A memorable closing line / call to action | Leaves the reader convinced and wanting to act. |
Why this matters: Choosing the right conventions for the text type is exactly what earns Criterion C (Conceptual understanding) in Paper 1. A column with no headline, no clear stance and a neutral tone reads like a news report — and loses those marks.
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Take a side — then back it up: Examiners reward a developed argument, not just an opinion stated once. In a column you state your stance, support it with a reason or example, acknowledge the other side, and then conclude firmly. Don't just repeat "I think this is bad" — say why.
Phrases to state and defend an opinion
- In my opinion… / It seems obvious to me that… — to state your view
- I am convinced that… / I firmly believe that… — a stronger, persuasive stance
- It is obvious that… because… — to add the reason behind the claim
- Those who back X are right about one thing… However,… — to acknowledge, then answer the other side
- For all these reasons,… / The time has come to… — to conclude with a call to action
A weak argument
- States an opinion but never says why.
- Ignores the other side completely.
- Neutral, report-style tone — no persuasion.
A strong argument
- States the stance AND gives a reason or example.
- Acknowledges the opposing view, then answers it.
- Persuasive first-person voice throughout.
Link your ideas: Connectors turn a list of opinions into an argument: moreover (to add), however (to answer the other side), therefore (to conclude), above all (to highlight your main point). Use two or three in any column.
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Read like Paper 2: Here is a short opinion column — the kind of media text Paper 2 (Reading) gives you. Read it once for the writer's overall stance; don't worry about every word. Then we'll work through one exam question together.
A park, not another shopping centre: Do we really need another shopping centre? In my opinion, the answer is no.
It seems obvious to me that a park would do far more for our neighbourhood than yet another row of shops. A park would give us clean air, a safe space for children to play and, above all, a place where neighbours actually meet. Those who back the shopping centre are right about one thing — it would create jobs. However, a few months of building work do not make up for losing the last piece of green land we have left.
So I would ask the council a simple question: what kind of street do we want to walk down in twenty years' time? For all these reasons, I firmly believe the time has come to choose the park.
- neighbourhood
- the local area where people live
- to back (something)
- to support or argue in favour of it
- to make up for
- to compensate for a loss
- green land / green space
- open land with grass and trees, not built on
- the council
- the local authority that decides on things like building
IB-style task — one Paper 2 question
One question, step by step
- The question — "According to the writer, what is the ONE thing supporters of the shopping centre are right about?"
- Find it in the text. Look for where the writer talks about the other side: "Those who back the shopping centre are right about one thing — it would create jobs."
- The answer — That it would create jobs. The writer acknowledges this before answering it — and the words are right there in the text, so no outside knowledge is needed.
Reading technique: For an "according to the text" question, find the exact line that proves your answer — don't rely on memory or general knowledge. In a column, the writer often acknowledges the other side with "those who… are right about…" before answering it.
The task: Your school magazine runs opinion columns. Write a column for other students arguing whether your school should stop selling fast food in the canteen. Take a clear stance and defend it.
Use a persuasive, first-person register. Write 450–600 words.
Opinion-column structure — 5 steps
1
Catchy headline
Often a question. "Fast food in school? I don't think so."
2
Clear stance
Say which side you're on from the first line. "I am convinced our canteen should…"
3
Develop an argument
Give a reason or example. "It is obvious that what we eat affects how we study, because…"
4
Acknowledge the other side
"Some will say fast food is cheap. However,…" — then answer it.
5
Strong close / call to action
Restate your stance memorably. "The time has come to back a healthier canteen."
Headline → Stance → Argument → Other side → Strong close
Model: the 5 steps in action
The opinion column, step by step
- Fast food in school? I don't think so.
- I am writing this column because I am convinced our canteen should stop selling fast food, and I want to explain why.
- It is obvious that what we eat affects how we study. Ever since my class swapped pastries for fruit at break, we have all worked far better in the afternoon. So why do we keep selling the very thing that slows us down?
- I know some students will say fast food is cheap and quick. However, a healthy canteen does not have to be expensive or boring — it just has to be a choice the school is brave enough to make.
- For all these reasons, I firmly believe the time has come to back a healthier canteen. Our concentration, and our health, are surely worth it.
Why it scores: This answer hits all three Paper 1 criteria — here's what earns each one:
A — Language /12
- First person, used consistently: "I am convinced", "I firmly believe"
- Connectors: "so", "however", "for all these reasons"
- Topic vocabulary, used accurately
B — Message /12
- Task fully done: takes a stance AND defends it
- Argument developed with a concrete example, other side acknowledged
C — Conceptual /6
- Column conventions: a catchy headline
- Clear stance + rhetorical question ("So why do we keep…?")
- A persuasive, opinion-led tone
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How listening is tested: Paper 2 also tests listening: you hear short clips, each played twice, and you never see the words. Read the questions first, listen for the speaker's opinion and their reasons, then answer.
Here we'll use a transcript so you can practise the technique on the page. Read the questions, then find the answer in the speaker's words.
Transcript — Priya's radio opinion slot: Hi, I'm Priya, and here is my opinion for this week. In my view, our town should make the high street car-free. Some people will say that shops will lose customers. However, every car-free street I have seen has actually become busier, because families feel safe to walk and stop. Above all, the air is cleaner. So my message to the council is simple: be brave, and give the street back to people.
IB-style task — two listening questions
Two questions, step by step
- Q1 — What is Priya's opinion? Listen just after "In my view": "our town should make the high street car-free." That is her stance.
- Q2 — What objection does she acknowledge, and how does she answer it? She says "Some people will say that shops will lose customers," then answers: "every car-free street I have seen has actually become busier." Answer: she admits shops fear losing customers, but says car-free streets get busier.
Listening technique: Read the questions before the clip plays. In an opinion clip, listen for the stance ("In my view…") and the "some people will say… However…" move — that is where the speaker handles the other side.