Opinion – an entirely or almost entirely subjective perspective. Example: Vanilla ice cream is the best ice cream flavor. This is an opinion because it is not debatable. It's based solely on someone's subjectivity, on their preferences. Claim – a perspective that can and should be supported by evidence. Structured. Academic writing should have a clear structure. The structure will often derive from the genre of writing. For example, a report will have an introduction including the objective(s), a method section, a discussion section, etc., while an essay will have an introduction including a thesis statement, clear body paragraphs, a statement. Provide evidence of the grounds for the complaint. Explain the warrant how the grounds support the claim. Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limitations of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives. The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. A thesis statement is used to summarize the main points of an article or essay. Usually, one or two sentences are included in the thesis statement that appears at the end of the introduction. Most research papers and academic essays require a thesis statement, which is considered an answer to the research question. Example of, this is a fact and not debatable. Thesis Statement: Professional hockey has helped create a Canadian identity. This thesis statement makes a defensible claim that must be proven through evidence and analysis. An even better thesis statement would also consider how hockey did this, what type or element of Canadian identity and why. Five main characteristics of academic writing are often discussed as follows: 1. Formality. Academic writing aims to convey relevant ideas appropriate to the nature of the topic discussed and to support opinions with reasoned arguments. This is not about making flowery statements or indulging in superfluous remarks.