Home > Subjects > English > English level 3 > 3.1 Writing > Subject content > Opinion writing
- Subject: English
- AS: 90720
- Level: 3
- Credits: 4
- Internal
3.1 Produce an extended piece of writing in a selected style
Opinion writing
Opinion articles such as editorials, feature articles, and columns all use different writing styles that characterise the text type. Columnists tend to be the most direct, challenging, and entertaining when stating their opinion. Columnists attract regular readers often because readers recognise and enjoy their writing style. It is important to read a range of columns found in publications such as major daily and weekend newspapers, New Zealand Listener, North and South, and Metro. Find a columnist whose style you enjoy, read several of their pieces and make notes on the characteristics of their style. See the questions in writing process to help you model your writing.
Read an annotated paragraph of student writing, Annotated example of paragraph from an opinion column (Word 24KB).
Use:
- active voice
- vivid description
- appropriate humour
- direct and indirect quotations
- appropriate poetic and sound techniques.
For an overview see Write an article.
See this website, Tone for guidance and more information on style and tone.
For more examples see:
- Writing.Com
- New Zealand Listener and click on the heading 'Columnists'.
