Opinion Writing Standards
ELAGSE4W1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
b. Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
c. Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases(e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition)
d. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
b. Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
c. Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases(e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition)
d. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
Opinion Writing
Opinion writing is using your thoughts and feelings in order to convince your reader to change your writing. Your opinion must be supported from facts from the text.
What is the expectation for informational writing in the fourth grade?
Your child should be able to write a 4-5 paragraph essay. Your child should use transitions and cite facts from provided texts. In the second half of the year, your child should cite two different articles in their essay. Follow the outline below to help you.
What is the expectation for informational writing in the fourth grade?
Your child should be able to write a 4-5 paragraph essay. Your child should use transitions and cite facts from provided texts. In the second half of the year, your child should cite two different articles in their essay. Follow the outline below to help you.
Opinion Essay Outline
Introduction
Body Paragraphs (there are 2-3 body paragraphs total)
Conclusion
Transitions
Transitions are usually sentence starters that are used to help communicate ideas clearly. There should be at least 2-3 transitions in each paragraph. (Also, additionally, next, etc.)
Attributions/ Citing the Text
Attributions or citing the text is giving credit to the author that you are using facts from their article.
- Hook- question, fact, or statement
- State what one opinion is.
- State what the other opinion is.
- Tell what your opinion is.
- State your 2-3 main reasons that will be in your body paragraphs
Body Paragraphs (there are 2-3 body paragraphs total)
- Topic sentence- a clear sentence explaining what the ENTIRE paragraph will be about.
- Transitions- sentence starters that go before your facts and elaboration
- 2-3 facts
- 2-3 pieces of elaboration- explain how you feel about the topic, tell what the evidence shows, tell what you think about the topic, and explain the facts.
Conclusion
- Statement about your topic (from your introduction) OR a list of 3 words.
- 3 sentences that sum up your key ideas from your 3 body paragraphs.
- A question that leaves your audience thinking.
Transitions
Transitions are usually sentence starters that are used to help communicate ideas clearly. There should be at least 2-3 transitions in each paragraph. (Also, additionally, next, etc.)
Attributions/ Citing the Text
Attributions or citing the text is giving credit to the author that you are using facts from their article.
- You cite by using one of the following transitions: according to the text, the author states…
- Say the name of the article
- Paraphrase the fact or use quotation marks to directly quote the fact.
Opinion Writing Examples
Introduction
Do you like being told what to wear everyday? I know I don’t! Some people believe that children should wear uniforms to school. On the other hand, others believe students shouldn’t wear uniforms. In my opinion I believe students shouldn’t have to wear uniforms because each student should have a choice of what to wear, families can choose clothes they can afford to buy, and students will be happy to go to school if they choose what to wear.
Hook- question
Opinion 1
Opinion 2
Your opinion
3 reasons
Body Paragraph Example
My first reason that children should not be required to wear uniforms to school is because students should have a choice on what they want to wear. The author states in the article “The Downsides of School Uniforms”, that uniforms are used as a form of self-expression. I feel that it is good for children to be able to have a choice in what they wear because students have to follow a set schedule during the school day and get limited choices. The article also talked about how the studies were mixed about whether school uniforms were actually benefiting students. This shows that there is no right or wrong opinion on school uniforms and that giving students a choice in what they wear is not going to be a negative thing.
Topic sentence with a clear idea
Attributions/ citing the article- say a transition and then the name of the article
Paraphrasing your facts
Elaboration- explain how you feel about the topic, tell what the evidence shows, tell what you think about the topic, and explain the facts.
Conclusion
In conclusion students should not be forced to wear school uniforms. Children should be able to have a choice of what they wear to schools. Also, by not requiring families to purchase uniforms that might be out of their budges, parents can choose clothes they can afford to buy their kids. Finally, students will be happy to go to school if they choose what to wear, instead of having to wear the same uniform everyday. Do you believe that school uniforms benefit students?
Restate Opinion
Sum up your 3 ideas from your 3 body paragraphs
End with a question
Do you like being told what to wear everyday? I know I don’t! Some people believe that children should wear uniforms to school. On the other hand, others believe students shouldn’t wear uniforms. In my opinion I believe students shouldn’t have to wear uniforms because each student should have a choice of what to wear, families can choose clothes they can afford to buy, and students will be happy to go to school if they choose what to wear.
Hook- question
Opinion 1
Opinion 2
Your opinion
3 reasons
Body Paragraph Example
My first reason that children should not be required to wear uniforms to school is because students should have a choice on what they want to wear. The author states in the article “The Downsides of School Uniforms”, that uniforms are used as a form of self-expression. I feel that it is good for children to be able to have a choice in what they wear because students have to follow a set schedule during the school day and get limited choices. The article also talked about how the studies were mixed about whether school uniforms were actually benefiting students. This shows that there is no right or wrong opinion on school uniforms and that giving students a choice in what they wear is not going to be a negative thing.
Topic sentence with a clear idea
Attributions/ citing the article- say a transition and then the name of the article
Paraphrasing your facts
Elaboration- explain how you feel about the topic, tell what the evidence shows, tell what you think about the topic, and explain the facts.
Conclusion
In conclusion students should not be forced to wear school uniforms. Children should be able to have a choice of what they wear to schools. Also, by not requiring families to purchase uniforms that might be out of their budges, parents can choose clothes they can afford to buy their kids. Finally, students will be happy to go to school if they choose what to wear, instead of having to wear the same uniform everyday. Do you believe that school uniforms benefit students?
Restate Opinion
Sum up your 3 ideas from your 3 body paragraphs
End with a question