Examples of Opinion Piece Writing: 3 Engaging Examples That Actually Hook Readers

Before we talk structure or strategy, let’s walk through real examples of opinion piece writing: 3 engaging examples that show you what this format looks like in the wild.

Imagine three different tabs open in your browser:

• One is a sharp New York Times op-ed arguing that social media platforms should verify AI-generated content.
• Another is a Substack essay from a teacher explaining why homework should be radically reduced in American schools.
• The third is a local newspaper column pushing the city council to convert empty office buildings into affordable housing.

All three are opinion pieces. They’re not pretending to be neutral. But the best examples don’t just shout an opinion—they build a case.

Let’s walk through three engaging examples of opinion piece writing, then pull out the techniques you can steal.

Example 1: A Timely Op-Ed on AI and Misinformation

One powerful example of opinion piece writing in 2024 is the flood of op-eds about artificial intelligence and misinformation. Picture a piece titled:

“AI Isn’t the Threat. Our Failure to Label It Is.”

This kind of opinion piece might appear in a major outlet like The Washington Post or The New York Times. Here’s how it typically works:

The writer opens with a scene: a fake video of a political candidate goes viral two days before an election. People share it, argue about it, and vote based on it—only to find out later it was AI-generated.

From there, the writer makes a clear claim: AI-generated political content should be labeled by law. That’s the opinion. But this isn’t just a rant on X (Twitter). The piece:

• Cites research from organizations like the Pew Research Center on how many Americans struggle to distinguish AI content from human-created material.
• References policy discussions from U.S. agencies or proposals in the European Union to show this debate is global and current.
• Anticipates the counterargument (labeling is censorship, or it’s technically impossible) and responds with nuance.

What makes this one of the best examples of opinion piece writing is the balance between urgency and evidence. The writer cares deeply, but they also bring receipts.

You’ll often see links to credible sources—government reports, academic research, or reputable nonprofits—similar to how health opinion pieces might cite data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (https://www.nih.gov/) or CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/). The goal is the same: opinion backed by something more than vibes.

Example 2: A Personal Essay on Burnout That Turns Into a Bigger Argument

Now shift tabs. You’re on a Substack or Medium post titled:

“I Followed Hustle Culture for 10 Years. Here’s Why I Opted Out.”

This is another example of opinion piece writing, but the tone is more intimate. It starts with the writer waking up at 4:30 a.m. for the fifth year in a row, juggling two jobs, a side business, and a gym routine that makes Navy SEALs look lazy.

At first it sounds like a productivity flex. Then the twist: they’re miserable.

This essay uses personal story as the engine for a larger claim: hustle culture is toxic, and we need to value rest as much as output. The examples include:

• Specific scenes: answering Slack messages at 11:47 p.m., eating dinner over a laptop, canceling vacations because “this launch is too important.”
• Data and outside voices: links to Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642) on burnout symptoms, or Harvard Business Review discussions of overwork and productivity.
• A clear shift from “this is my story” to “this is a pattern hurting a lot of us,” especially post-2020 when remote work blurred every boundary.

This is one of the best examples of how opinion writing can blend narrative and argument. The writer doesn’t just say, “Burnout is bad.” They walk you through the cost—insomnia, anxiety, shallow relationships—and then argue for a different model of success.

What makes this an engaging example of opinion piece writing is the way it invites the reader in. You see yourself in the story, and by the time the writer suggests solutions—firmer work boundaries, unionizing in some industries, or systemic policy changes—you’re already emotionally invested.

Example 3: A Local Column on Housing and Empty Office Buildings

For the third example of opinion piece writing, zoom in to the city level. Think of a columnist at a local paper arguing:

“Our Downtown Is Half Empty. Let’s Turn Offices Into Homes.”

Post-2020, remote and hybrid work left many downtown office towers half-vacant. At the same time, housing costs have climbed in cities across the U.S. The columnist connects these dots.

The piece might:

• Start with a walk through a near-empty business district at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday—dark windows, closed coffee shops, for-lease signs.
• Contrast that with rental prices and waitlists for affordable housing.
• Reference data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau or local housing authorities to show how vacancy and rent have changed since 2020.

Then comes the opinion: city leaders should incentivize office-to-residential conversions instead of chasing a return to 2019 office life.

The writer may point to real examples of cities already trying this, such as New York’s push for converting older office buildings, or pilot programs in places like Washington, D.C. They might compare zoning laws, tax incentives, and timelines.

This is a grounded, policy-focused example of opinion piece writing. It’s not abstract; it’s rooted in a specific place and problem. The examples include:

• Quotes from tenants struggling to find housing.
• Comments from small business owners watching foot traffic disappear.
• References to city council meetings or planning documents.

By the end, the reader isn’t just informed—they’re nudged toward a stance: “Yes, we should push our city to do this.”

What These 3 Engaging Examples Have in Common

When you line up these three engaging examples of opinion piece writing, they look different on the surface—national op-ed, personal essay, local column—but under the hood they share a structure.

Each example of opinion writing:

• Opens with a hook: a vivid scene, a surprising fact, or a personal moment.
• States a clear opinion: AI content should be labeled, hustle culture is harmful, cities should convert offices to housing.
• Uses evidence and examples: data, studies, quotes, observations.
• Addresses the other side: acknowledging concerns about censorship, personal responsibility, or zoning challenges.
• Ends with a push: a call to rethink, to act, or at least to argue about it with someone else.

If you’re looking for practical examples of opinion piece writing, these 3 engaging examples show that you don’t have to choose between passion and credibility. The best examples manage both.

More Real-World Examples of Opinion Piece Writing in 2024–2025

To give you a wider sense of the landscape, here are more real examples and patterns you’ll see in current opinion writing:

Health and Lifestyle Opinions

Think of a columnist arguing that ultra-processed foods should carry warning labels similar to cigarettes. They might:

• Reference research summarized by NIH (https://www.nih.gov/) on diet and chronic disease.
• Share a personal story about managing blood sugar or weight.
• Argue for specific policy changes like taxes, labeling rules, or school lunch reforms.

Again, the opinion is clear, but it’s grounded in evidence from medical and public health sources, such as CDC nutrition data (https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/index.html).

Education and Technology Opinions

Another common example of opinion piece writing in 2024 is the debate over phones and AI tools in the classroom.

A teacher might write a widely shared piece titled:

“Banning Phones Won’t Fix Our Schools. Teaching Focus Will.”

The examples include:

• Classroom scenes: students toggling between TikTok and homework.
• References to studies from universities like Harvard (https://www.gse.harvard.edu/) on attention, learning, and screen time.
• A nuanced stance: less about bans, more about teaching digital self-control and redesigning lessons.

Here, the writer uses their classroom as a microcosm of a bigger cultural question: how do we educate in a world of constant distraction and AI assistance?

Work, Labor, and the Post-Pandemic Economy

In 2024–2025, some of the best examples of opinion piece writing are about work: return-to-office battles, union drives at major companies, and four-day workweek experiments.

A tech worker might write:

“I Went Back to the Office. My Productivity Didn’t.”

They’d mix:

• Personal experience of commuting again after years of remote work.
• Data from surveys on employee satisfaction and productivity.
• References to pilot programs on four-day workweeks in the U.K. and U.S., showing outcomes on burnout and output.

This kind of piece doesn’t just complain about bad bosses. It argues for a different vision of work—and backs it with both story and stats.

How to Use These Examples of Opinion Piece Writing in Your Own Work

So how do you turn these examples of opinion piece writing—3 engaging examples plus several more—into something you can actually use when you sit down to draft?

Think in scenes and stakes.

Start by asking yourself:

• What moment made this issue feel personal to me? (That’s your opening scene.)
• What do I actually believe should change? (That’s your core opinion.)
• What real examples, research, or data can I point to so I’m not just venting? (Those are your supporting pillars.)

If you’re writing about mental health at work, you might:

• Open with the day you realized you hadn’t taken a real lunch break in months.
• Argue that companies need explicit policies on after-hours communication.
• Link to resources from NIH, Mayo Clinic, or CDC on stress and mental health to give your argument weight.

If you’re writing about climate policy, you could:

• Start with a summer heat wave that broke records in your city.
• Argue for specific local actions—tree planting, cooling centers, building codes.
• Use data from government or academic sources to show that heat waves are becoming more frequent and dangerous.

The goal isn’t to copy any one example of opinion piece writing, but to recognize the pattern: story + stance + support.

FAQ: Opinion Piece Writing and Real-World Examples

What are some common examples of opinion piece writing?

Common examples include newspaper op-eds, magazine columns, Substack essays, blog posts, and personal essays in outlets like The Atlantic or The Guardian. These examples of opinion writing usually focus on a single argument—about politics, culture, health, education, or work—and use a mix of personal story and evidence.

Can you give an example of a strong opinion piece structure?

A strong example of opinion piece structure often starts with a vivid anecdote, states a clear opinion in the first few paragraphs, supports it with data or real examples, addresses counterarguments, and ends with a memorable takeaway or call to action.

How are opinion pieces different from news articles?

News articles aim to report facts with as little bias as possible. Opinion pieces, by design, take a side. The best examples of opinion piece writing still use facts, but they interpret those facts through a clear point of view and argue for a specific conclusion.

Where can I find high-quality real examples of opinion writing?

Look at opinion sections of major outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, or The Guardian. For issues related to health, education, or science, pay attention to how writers link to sources like NIH, CDC, or major universities. These are some of the best examples to study when you’re learning the craft.

How many personal stories should I include in an opinion piece?

Most engaging examples include at least one strong personal story or concrete scene, then zoom out to data and broader context. Too many stories without evidence can feel self-indulgent; too much data without story feels dry. The best examples of opinion piece writing strike a balance between the two.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: the most engaging examples of opinion piece writing don’t just tell you what to think. They invite you into a moment, show you what’s at stake, and then make their case with clarity, evidence, and voice. That’s what you’re aiming for every time you sit down to write an opinion that deserves to be read.