Equitable Urban Futures and Informal Settlements

An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing. It requires your opinion on a topic, which must be stated clearly, giving various viewpoints on the topic supported by reasons and/or examples. You should also include the opposing viewpoint in another paragraph.
focus on a topic about which you have personal thoughts, beliefs, feelings;
persuade your reader that your position on topic is convincing;
support your claim and arguments with facts, statistics, real-life project examples or published research studies;
you use e.g literature given in class AND go beyond this list;
read, summarize and judge – to argue your position, including opposing
viewpoints;
goal is a written “debate” or “conversation” on urban design issue

INTRODUCTION State the topic and your opinion
Thesis statement – the main idea / point you are trying to make or prove;
3 reasons – why it is true

MAINBODY
Here you develop your argument;
Each paragraph contains e.g. a single, clear idea/reason/viewpoint that supports your point of view.
Use these to support your argument:
examples;
illustrations;
cause-and-effect reasoning;
comparison/contrast;
Each paragraph for separate viewpoint supported by reasons:
* Your reasons from introduction – explain them more detail, citing sources where necessary
1st p. Viewpoint & reason, example
2nd p. Viewpoint & reason, example
3rd p. Viewpoint & reason, example
You also include a paragraph presenting the opposing viewpoint
• 4th p. Opposing viewpoint & reason, example

CONCLUSION Restate your opinion using different words.
• Sum up by restating your thesis statement and reminding the reader what your three reasons were;
In an argumentative essay, you can finish with a “call to action”
-> tell the reader what you would like them to do as a result.

Layout requirements
› Max. 15.000 characters – including blank spaces and reference list;
› + short abstract max. 100 words;
› UK English or US English spelling may be used;
› Footnotes should be avoided, unless absolutely essential;
› Articles and figures must be referenced (see APA Style Guide: Harvard Style);
› Use in-text citation;
› All measurements – in metric units;
› Minimum 10 literature references and 3 figures

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