Opinion column

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 250–400 words.

Why it scores: This answer hits all three Paper 1 criteria — here's what earns each one:

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.

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.