We have been learning about opinion writing from our district writing TOSA, Mrs. Andrews. Here is what we've learned.
A fact is true. A fact can be proven through research and/or by using your own eyes to verify.
An opinion is what a person thinks or believes. It cannot be proven. When stating an opinion, it is important to have reasons to support your opinion.
2. How should you begin writing an opinion piece?
Mrs. Andrewrecommends making a list of all the reasons that support an opinion. Here is a surprising opinion about Disneyland with a list of reasons.
3. What should you do with your list of reasons?
Choose your top three reasons for your opinion writing piece. The most important reason should be your last reason.
Then come up with support sentences for your reasons. Explain your reasons. Give examples.
4. Write a first draft of your opinion.
The easiest part for many was coming up with reasons. The hardest part was supporting each reason. Many students ended up writing a paragraph made up of reasons.
:-(
To avoid confusion, Mrs. Yollis cut up sheets of colored paper and placed them in an opinion writing center.
OPINION SENTENCE: on green paper
REASON SENTENCES: on yellow paper
2 SUPPORT SENTENCES: on pink paper
CONCLUSION SENTENCE: on green paper
Below is a photo of the opinion center box. A completed opinion piece is taped together and displayed to the right of the opinion center. Because the strips of paper could easily be taped together, revision was easy!
First opinion piece:
Which Chris Van Allsburg book is the best?
We had done an author study on Chris Van Allsburg, so it was a great beginning point for opinion writing. Students had one week to write a draft on the color-coded paper, type it in Google Classroom, and then revise it with help from peers and/or the teacher. Final opinion paragraphs were copied and pasted from Google Classroom to the class blog. You can read the final opinions in the comment section here.
Second opinion piece:
The Daily 5 is great.
That was the unanimous opinion!
As a class, we listed all the reasons to love the Daily 5.
Photo by Mrs. Yollis |
Next, students wrote rough drafts using the color-coded strips. Once the color coded strips were approved by Mrs. Yollis, students went in and typed the Daily 5 opinion piece in Google Classroom.
Students used this chart with useful words and phrases to give the opinion piece the final touches.
This week, students will write and publish an opinion piece all on their own! Here are a few ideas that we brainstormed together.
Photo by Mrs. Yollis |
What is your opinion about this opinion writing process?
Which step is the easiest?
Which step is the hardest?