opinion writing essay 3rd grade

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Opinion writing for grade 3

Opinions, reasons and examples.

These worksheets and writing prompts help students express their opinions in writing in a structured manner.

Supporting details : adding details to support the main idea

Writing opinion paragraphs : stating and supporting your opinion

Opinion paragraphs with examples : using examples to support your reasons

Opinion writing prompts : write opinion pieces from prompts

Grade 3 opinion writing worksheet

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Scaffolding an Opinion Writing Essay With Frames and Templates

Teaching opinion writing to your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students soon?  Use the sentence starters and paragraph frames below in your lessons to help students structure their writing, use transitional words, stay on topic, and support their opinions.

Templates like the examples below are a great way to introduce opinion writing.  The hope is that eventually, students will go on to write without a provided outline and add a little of their own personality to their writing, but starting off with a clear structure helps students learn to become better writers.

Start Small - With Opinion Writing Sentence Starters or Frames

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students love giving their opinions, so help them structure their opinions with sentence starters and frames. This is a great way to introduce opinion writing and doesn't frustrate students.

Providing structure is especially beneficial for your ELL and low language students, but ALL students can improve their writing with this scaffolding.

Some example sentence starters are below.  Depending on the topic being discussed and the opinion being shared, not all sentence frames will work in all situations.  Adapt them for your particular scenario!

Example Sentence Starters

• In my opinion, _____ is better than _____ because _____.
• The best thing about _____ is _____.
• I am strongly against _____ because _____.
• Although some people believe _____, I believe _____.
• Ever since _____, I have believed _____.

Using a Paragraph Template or Frame

Example paragraph frames.

In my opinion, __________ is better than __________ because __________.  For example, _______________.  Furthermore, _______________.  Clearly, _______________ is the worse option.

I prefer __________ because __________.  For instance, _______________.  Also, _______________.  Finally, _______________.

Opinion Writing Essay Template / Structure / Outline

Going from writing paragraphs to writing an entire essay can be overwhelming for upper elementary students - and middle school students as well!

Modeling how to write an opinion essay is an essential first step.  (My Scaffolded Opinion Writing Resource includes a teacher model to make this easy for you.)

After modeling an opinion essay, provide students with an opinion writing template/outline to help them structure their own writing.  This will help students stay on topic, use transitional words, and provide support for their opinions.  And, most importantly, it will keep students from feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

If you know your students would benefit from this type of scaffolding but don’t have the time to create it yourself, check out my Scaffolded Opinion Writing Resource.

It walks students through the writing process with support each step of the way. This resource also provides a model essay so that you can model expectations for your students. Plus, it can be used over and over again with different topics.

If you found these opinion writing tips to be useful, then you will probably like these tips for teaching students how to write a compare and contrast essay. 

Want a Compare and Contrast Freebie?

Download these reading passages with a compare and contrast activity for free and use it to today!

Terrific Teaching Tactics

Make Learning Fun

Third Grade Opinion Writing Unit

Are you struggling to teach writing to your 3rd graders? Perhaps you just don’t know where to start. You’re constantly googling, ‘how do you teach writing to 3rd graders?’ or ‘how can I help my 3rd graders with writing?’ You’re tearing your hair out with frustration.

Maybe it’s because your school doesn’t provide you with a writing curriculum. So, you’re spending your precious evenings and weekends looking on Pinterest for lesson ideas. Or worse, a curriculum is provided…but it’s just downright terrible. You can’t make sense of it and your students hate it.

Perhaps your students just hate writing in general and roll their eyes at the thought of it.

Well, here’s the thing. Teaching writing ‘aint easy. In fact, it can be straight up tricky, I get it!

But don’t worry friend, I’ve got you covered.

INTRODUCING TERRIFIC WRITING

Terrific Writing is a comprehensive writing curriculum for Third Grade. This curriculum is standards based (to the common core) and genre based. But best of all, it’s actually easy to teach and engaging for students!

In this curriculum, your students will develop a love of writing. The graphic organizers, interactive notebooks, and final craft will engage students much more than a blank piece of paper. The final writing piece asks students to write about something they love that they have chosen! After all, students love to write about things that they are interested in.

Writing doesn’t have to be dull and students definitely shouldn’t hate writing!

In Unit 2 ‘Opinion Writing’, students learn how to write engaging opinion writing pieces.

ARE YOU SHORT ON TIME?

This  5 week  unit has EVERYTHING you need, because let’s be honest, teachers are time poor.

So, let’s get your evenings and weekends back, my friend! Take a break from lesson planning and searching for engaging materials. It’s all right here.

Are you ready? I’m going to share some of the awesome things about it!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS THIRD GRADE WRITING – Opinion Writing UNIT?

First up, there are a bunch of teacher docs. Unit contents, common core standards, and teacher directions? Check.

To begin, there’s some suggested mentor texts (with links to Amazon and YouTube). Also, a scope is included which shows the 25 lessons that feature in this unit and the third grade common core standards that are relevant.

Also, there is a unit at-a-glance calendar, as well as a table which tells you what materials you will need for each lesson. Basically, I’ve tried to make this unit super easy to implement. It has everything you need!

Next, there’s some suggested lesson times. To clarify, it doesn’t matter how long your writing block is, this unit can be adapted to suit it!

A lot of teachers struggle with finding the time to teach writing. If this is you, you’re not alone!

Then, there’s the 25 scripted (and step-by-step) lesson plans. The lessons follow a simple format of mini lesson, think and share, and independent writing time. There’s a lesson focus to guide you and all of the required materials are listed with numbers. For example, you’ll know exactly which posters and printables you need.

Subsequently, there’s a video that comes with this unit. This will help you organize and implement everything.

Wondering how to assess your student’s writing? Don’t sweat it!

There’s an assessment document for this unit too. It includes a rubric to help you grade your student’s writing.

However, I’m not just throwing you to the sharks here! Rubrics can sometimes be generic or difficult to decipher. That’s why I’ve made a comprehensive document with teacher directions, as well as elaborations and examples. Moreover, there’s a video to help you understand the rubric.

OPinion Writing MENTOR TEXTS

I do give a list of suggested mentor texts that you can source, but in addition, I provide three original mentor texts for this unit! These come in PDF and PowerPoint versions (as well as color and black and white). You can print them in any size or just display them on an interactive whiteboard.

The great thing about these original mentor texts is that they include all of the features of opinion writing that are taught in the unit. For example, students will see examples of opinions, reasons, and a closing.

Opinion Writing POSTERS

This unit comes with 19 posters that you can reference to! Each lesson corresponds to them. Most importantly, they are great for giving writing ideas and reinforcing the opinion writing structure.

You can print them in color and laminate them. They are great for displaying in the classroom. However, you can also display these posters digitally (if you have limited printing options).

Already interested in this third grade writing opinion writing unit? Grab it  here !

OPinion Writing PRINTABLES

There are student workbook covers that you can print. There are three options, ‘My Writing Folder’, ‘My Writing Notebook’, and ‘My Writing Journal’. Your students can glue these covers onto their folders or books. The covers come in color and black and white (there are also boy and girl versions).

Let’s now take a look at the writing prompts, worksheets, interactive notebooks and graphic organizers!

Hands On Printables

There are two interactive notebooks, as well as other cut and paste sorting activities. This way, learning is hands on and engaging!

Graphic Organizers

There are a variety of graphic organizers to help students plan their opinion writing and organize their thoughts. For example, students complete this OREO graphic organizer.

Prompts and Worksheets

There are many different writing prompts and worksheets to help students learn to write opinions and reasons. They write a book review and complete a prompt about their favorite movie. They also answer opinion prompt questions like ‘which is better?’ and ‘would you rather?’

This is the common core standard for opinion writing that is covered with these printables –

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

The Final Writing Piece

After students have learnt about opinions and reasons, they begin to prepare for their final writing piece.

First, they plan their writing. Next lesson, they write an introduction. After that, they learn about linking words and paragraphing. Then, they add details and examples to their reasoning. Finally, they write a closing.

These are the common core standards for opinion writing that are covered with these printables –

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.A Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.B Provide reasons that support the opinion.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.C Use linking words and phrases (e.g.,  because ,  therefore ,  since ,  forexample ) to connect opinion and reasons.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.D Provide a concluding statement or section.

Writing Checklists

After students have written their first draft, they use two checklists to proofread their work. One checklist grades opinion writing structure and the other is a more generic checklist for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

The students do a self check, peer check, and adult check.

Writing Craft

The students create a writing craft for their final writing piece. It’s a flipbook, so they can add as many pages underneath as they need! This craft is great for a bulletin baord display.

They write about their favorite thing (that they own). This gives students the choice to write about anything they like (which keeps them far more engaged)!

I think it’s super imortant to have purposeful early finisher tasks and extension activities during writing lessons. Above all, we should be challenging our advanced writers. That’s why this unit also includes task cards for opinion writing.

Third Grade Writing – Opinion Writing

Here’s an overview, with some more information about the unit –

• 25 step-by-step scripted lesson plans
• 18 graphic organizers / worksheets
• 2 interactive notebooks and 1 writing craft
• 3 original mentor texts (PowerPoint versions and PDF in color and b&w)
• 24 tasks cards extension activities (2 versions – b&w, color)
• 1 assessment rubric

Here’s everything else that’s included in this unit –

• Video overview to help organize and implement the unit
• List of common core standards that align with this unit
• Teacher directions for the lesson plans
• Suggestions for differentiation and lesson times
• List of recommended mentor texts (with links)
• Unit scope and at-a-glance calendar
• Lesson materials list
• Student book/folder cover (3 versions – journal, notebook, or folder)
• 1 writing prompt pre-assessment
• 3 lined pages (for first drafts and crafts)
• 2 checklists
• 1 set of compliment notes (2 versions – b&w, color)
• 1 certificate (2 versions – b&w, color)
• Teacher directions, examples, and elaborations for the rubric
• Video with tips for using the rubric

Click  here to see a video that shows everything in the unit.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about this third grade writing – opinion writing unit.

Click  here  to grab the full unit!

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August 24, 2023 at 1:03 pm

I’m a English teacher in Mexico, I’m interested in worksheets for writing. Your material looks very interesting.

August 25, 2023 at 5:13 am

I’m so glad to hear! Be sure to check them out and let me know if you have any questions 🙂

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Elementary Assessments

51 Excellent Opinion Writing Ideas for 3rd Grade Students

By the time students reach the third grade, they’re pretty certain about their likes plus dislikes, and they may even have some pretty solid opinions on certain topics. 

Give students an opportunity to express their views using these opinion writing ideas for 3rd grade students. 

Doing so is an interesting way to tap into their beliefs and preferences.

These opinion writing ideas for 3rd grade will help students put their thoughts onto paper and encourage them to support their beliefs using personal experiences and/or facts. 

Opinion Writing Ideas for 3rd Grade

1. In your opinion, what’s the best field trip idea for third-grade students?

2. What’s the best way, in your opinion, to address bullying in schools?

3. How do you think schools can make students feel safer?

4. To which local charity do you think third-grade students should donate? Why?

5. In your opinion, what is the greatest invention?

6. What is your opinion on children being given an allowance for completing household chores?

7. In your opinion, should homework be assigned every day?

8. If a student is disruptive in class, how should the issue be handled by the teacher?

9. What is happiness?

10. In your opinion, should students be required to read a list of books during the summer?

11. Do you think it’s necessary for students to wear school uniforms? Why or why not?

12. When is it a good time to tattletale?

13. In schools, should all sporting participants receive a trophy or should a trophy only go to the top three winners? Explain.

14. What are the best conditions for studying?

15. Is it important to learn cursive writing? Why or why not?

Related Content:

50+ Opinion Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

16. In your opinion, should students be allowed to have cell phones at school?

17. How can teachers encourage students to read more?

18. In what ways can students motivate themselves to meet their SMART goals? 

19. At what age should students start having more responsibilities? Explain why you think this.

20. Is the role of mom and dad equally important? Share your thoughts.

21. Should children be able to stay up late on the weekends? Why or why not?

22. What are the benefits of being assigned opinion writing ideas for 3rd grade?

23. In your opinion, should water be the only drink offered in schools? Why or why not?

24. Which vegetable is the tastiest and why?

25. In your opinion, what activities are better done with others?

26. What does it mean to be respectful?

27. Is it harder to be an only child or to have siblings? Explain.

28. If a group member doesn’t do good work, should that affect the other members’ grades? Why or why not?

29. Should recess be extended on Fridays? Why or why not?

30. In your opinion, what does it mean to be a good student?

31. Describe the best after-school extracurricular activity.

32. What is the best snack?

33. In your opinion, is daily reading actually beneficial? Why or why not?

34. What is one thing about your school that needs to change?

35. Which celebrity is a good role model to younger people and why?

36. In your opinion, are animals in the zoo more or less safe than animals in the wild? Explain.

37. What famous person is a poor role model for students and why?

38. Should PE classes be separated by gender? Why or why not?

39. How could you convince the teacher to give less homework?

40. Would you rather be able to run super fast or think quickly? Why?

41. What subject in school is the most difficult and why?

42. Describe the cutest outfit ever.

43. What’s best about being a kid vs. an adult?

44. Which Disney movie is the best and why?

45. In your opinion, which food item from the cafeteria tastes best and why?

46. How should the grade level raise money for the local charity?

47. Why is the custodial staff important to the school community?

48. Are video games, in your opinion, bad for children? Why or why not?

49. Is it better to fly or drive to a vacation destination? Why do you think this?

50. What’s the most beautiful place you have ever seen? What made it so special?

51. Why, in your opinion, do some people treat others unkindly?

Final Thoughts About Opinion Writing Ideas for 3rd Grade

Encourage third graders to share their stances on various topics using these interesting opinion writing ideas for 3rd grade students.

They’ll learn how to defend their viewpoints convincingly and respectfully.

If you enjoyed these third-grade ideas on opinion writing, you might be interested in opinion lesson ideas .

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Not So Wimpy Teacher

The Not So WImpy Teacher creates resources for busy teachers in grades 2-5 who are looking to deliver engaging and meaningful lessons without overwhelm and chaos.

Opinion Writing Unit THIRD GRADE

Grade Level: 3rd Grade

My third grade opinion writing unit includes 8 weeks of done-for-you writing lessons about how to write a strong opinion essay . This unit contains detailed lesson plans, mentor texts, anchor charts, student writing tasks, and rubrics –everything you need to be a capable, confident writing teacher with students who love to write.

Also available in the following bundles

More about this resource

If teaching writing has ever made you cry, weep, tear out your hair, question your existence, or binge-watch reality television—because it’s just that frustrating and overwhelming—this writing unit is perfect for you. 

If your students dread writing time more than meatloaf in the school cafeteria…this writing bundle is perfect for them, too. 

Teaching writing can be tough. Teachers tell me that their district-provided writing curriculum is:

• too complicated

Or worse, they don’t have any curriculum at all. Yikes! 

But my third grade opinion writing unit makes teaching writing easy . It takes all the guesswork out of teaching writing and gives you the tools you need to teach engaging and effective writing lessons without breaking a sweat.

This resource is part of a money-saving writing writing bundle! Click HERE to see the bundle!

The ready-to-use lessons and activities in this opinion writing unit will teach your students h ow to use supporting facts, reasons, and examples, consider opposing viewpoints, write topic and concluding sentences, and structure paragraphs . And all you have to do is print and teach . The lesson plans are that simple. Seriously.

Student-friendly mentor texts make it easy to provide illustrative examples of new writing skills. You don’t have to waste your time and money hunting down just the right book.  Focused mini lessons and daily writing tasks simplify the writing process helping ALL students, even reluctant writers, experience success. Preprinted anchor charts make it easy to model new skills and engage in shared writing without wasting valuable time. 

And best of all, my opinion writing unit  makes writing fun  for  ALL  your students – from  reluctant writers  to  excited writers . The  Student Success Path  helps you identify where your students are on their writing journey and plan just-right lessons and  interventions .  Short, focused lessons  keep students engaged. Simple, direct writing tasks help kids develop confidence.  Conference materials,  including outlines and topic cards, you can use to guide small group discussion make it easy for you to  differentiate lessons.

Choice empowers students  to write about things they care about and makes them more invested in their writing. And that’s a big deal because  students who enjoy writing and get lots of practice perform better on standardized testing.

Plus, these materials are  easy-to-use . Everything is organized in folders to help you find just what you need. A  Quick Start Guide  makes it simple to get started and provides tips on how to prep materials for long-term use.

The 2-week  Starting Writing Workshop mini-unit  will help you start your writing instruction on the right foot. Detailed teacher directions show you exactly how to use all the resources and activities.

What’s Included:

• Detailed teacher directions and suggestions for simple implementation
• Unit-at-a-glance calendar for each unit
• 7 exclusive videos walking you through how to get the most out of these writing units
• 40 days of lesson plans that include guiding questions, materials, mini lessons, student work tasks, student share tasks, intervention, and several extension activities
• 14 original mentor text passages
• 24 opinion writing task cards (identifying whether a topic is an opinion)
• 24 opinion writing prompts task cards
• 11 teacher anchor charts (blank and filled in versions)
• Student anchor charts and printable for writing notebooks
• Conference and goal tracking forms
• Writing grades tracking forms
• List of 10 additional mentor text books (Remember, using them is optional, because I’ve included all the mentor texts you need) 
• 6 different writing publishing papers
• Student writing notebook cover and dividers
• Teacher notebook covers and binder spines
• Multiple ideas for author share celebration
• DIGITAL writing notebooks on Google Slides
• Conferencing Materials – Conference outlines, a sample conference, and topic cards you can use to guide your small-group conferences
• Student Success Path – Identify where your students are on their writing journey
• Starting Writing Workshop Bonus – Two weeks of writing lesson plans to help build stamina and set your students up for writing success

Skills Covered:

Students learn h ow to craft a strong opinion essay using supporting facts, reasons, and examples, topic and concluding sentences, and structured paragraphs. Lessons include:

• Setting goals
• What is an opinion essay?
• Generating essay ideas
• Writing strong opinion statements
• Writing a lead
• Supporting your opinion with reasons
• Considering your audience
• Consider opposing opinions
• Supporting your opinion with examples
• Topic and concluding sentences
• Word choice
• Transitions
• Writing a conclusion
• Generating deeper topics (research based)

How to Use it in the Classroom: 

A typical day of writing:.

I recommend you set aside thirty minutes for writing each day (or more if you have it). Check out the sample schedules below. Each day follows the same plan:

• Mini-Lesson (8-10 minutes):  The day kicks off with a mini-lesson to teach a particular skill. The mini-lesson uses mentor text (remember, it’s included in the unit) and anchor charts. For the teacher version of the anchor charts, you can project and fill them out with the class, or print and display them in your classroom. The student versions are smaller so they can fill them out and keep them in their writing notebooks for reference.
• Work Time (18-20 minutes) : Students will apply the skill they just learned into their writing each day. The included writing tasks make it crystal-clear what to do during independent writing time–for you and your students. By the end of the unit, they will have completed two full masterpieces and many other independent writings.
• Share Time (2 minutes) : Students are encouraged to share a piece of their writing with a partner or with the entire class. This makes writing more meaningful to kids and holds them accountable.

Organization Made Easy:

• The opinion writing unit is organized into multiple folders and files so it’s easy for you to find what you need.
• A 40-day daily schedule so you know exactly what to teach each day.
• Detailed daily lesson plans make teaching writing easy.

Differentiation:

There are many ways to differentiate writing assignments:

• These daily writing prompts are intentionally short and sweet so that all students, even those below grade level, can feel successful. Most tasks can be completed in 1-2 sentences.
• More advanced writers can write longer responses, or work on a second masterpiece if they finish early.
• Students can complete fewer task cards or work with a partner; you can also provide support to students as they work on task cards.
• The process for teaching writing includes group conferencing time. These groups should be based on ability so that you can individualize your instruction to meet the specific needs of the group.

Why you’ll love this writing unit: 

• You’ll save hours of prepping and planning time. The daily lesson plans are easy to implement. All you have to do is print and teach. 
• Mentor texts are included. You do not need to hunt down or purchase any additional books! (Unless you want to. Far be it from me to stand between a teacher and new books.) 
• Digital anchor charts project onto your white board-so you don’t have to be Picasso or Renoir to anchor your kids in the lesson.
• Pre-printed student anchor charts make it easy for students to follow along without having to write every word and draw complicated diagrams.
• Digital student notebooks are perfect for 1:1 classrooms and a great way to save paper.
• These lessons work for all students, even students below grade level.
• Task cards incorporate movement, reinforce concepts, and make learning fun. Daily share time encourages students to take pride in their writing.
• Direct writing instruction provides a solid foundation of writing skills that leads to increased test scores

*****************************

More Third Grade Writing Units:

Personal Narrative for Third Grade

Informational Writing for Third Grade

Fiction Narrative for Third Grade

Writing Units for Other Grade Levels:

Second Grade Writing Bundle

Fourth Grade Writing Bundle

Fifth Grade Writing Bundle

Additional Resources You Might Like:

3rd Grade Spelling Curriculum Growing Bundle

Frequently Asked

Yes. I also have personal narrative , informational essay , and fiction narrative writing units available.

This opinion writing unit is available for grade 3. I also have opinion writing units available for grades two , four , and five .

I prefer composition notebooks because they are sturdy and easy to use and store. But other teachers have used spiral bound notebooks or three-ring binders.

Yes. These writing lessons are based on Common Core standards.

The lessons for consecutive grade levels are very similar because the standards are similar. The biggest difference is that the reading level on the mentor text passages is modified to meet the specific grade level. Other differences include new examples in the lesson plans and anchor charts and new task cards. It is generally fine to use units that are one level above or below grade level. You might want to select the lower grade level to ensure that the mentor texts are easier for students to read.

Each unit includes eight weeks of materials. I recommend spending 30-45 on writing each day. The lesson takes 8-10 minutes and the rest of the time would be used for independent writing.

Students complete two masterpieces in each unit. But they may work on additional pieces if they finish daily assignments early.

My writing units are a standalone curriculum. They are not based on or aligned with any other curriculum. However, they are based on the writing standards. My curriculum is organized into units of study and formatted in the workshop model and hundreds of teachers have successfully used my writing units with their district provided curriculum.

My writing units are a standalone curriculum. They are not based on or aligned with any other curriculum. With that being said, I have hundreds of teachers who have chosen to use my units as a supplement to their Lucy curriculum because it is more manageable and engaging for students.

You May Also Enjoy These Resources

The Ultimate Guide to Opinion Writing for Students and Teachers

The Importance of Opinion Writing

Encouraging our students to express their personal opinions is an important part of the learning process; healthy even. To do this effectively, it is equally important that we help them acquire the necessary skills to express these opinions in a reasoned and coherent manner when teaching opinion writing.

Writing is one of the best possible vehicles for our students not only to express their opinions but to explore the strength and validity of those opinions.

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY

For our students to competently express their opinions in writing, they must first understand the specific requirements of the type of question they are answering. Of course, there are many types of questions and fun opinion writing prompts that are geared towards coaxing personal opinions from a student and each will require its own specific tailored response.

It’s clear that personal opinions permeate a wide range of genres and media. We find opinions everywhere from hotel reviews and infomercials to political commentary and newspaper editorials. But, despite the diversity of forms opinion writing can take, we can helpfully identify some general criteria that will assist our students in navigating the challenge of most opinion writing prompts and questions.

Let’s take a look at some of these criteria in more detail.

A COMPLETE UNIT FOR TEACHING OPINION WRITING

Teach your students to write EXCELLENT PERSUASIVE ESSAYS and master INFLUENTIAL WRITING SKILLS using PROVEN TEACHING STRATEGIES with this 140-PAGE UNIT.

ALL RESOURCES AND ASSESSMENT TOOLS INCLUDED – NO PREP REQUIRED.

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OPINION WRITING CRITERIA TO ADDRESS

1. identify the audience: speak clearly.

Writing is about language and language is about communication; students should understand that we do not write in a vacuum. The purpose of an essay, letter, or any other form of writing we care to name, is ultimately to be read.

This means that it is essential that consideration be given to the character of the intended audience. Also, remind students that when they are writing, the reader is not privy to the inner workings of the writer’s mind. They must make their thoughts explicit in their writing and ensure that these thoughts are expressed in a coherent manner.

The student writer should always avoid making the assumption that the reader knows things that are not expressed explicitly in the writing.

2. Take a Stance: Stand Firm

From the very outset, the student should state their position boldly. More than that, they must stand firm in that opinion throughout the entirety of the piece.

Opinion writing is not about communicating a series of pros and cons or discussing at length the various related advantages and disadvantages, the place for that is not here. The opinion piece should open with a bold statement of opinion that is clearly expressed, and that opinion should be held unwaveringly and reinforced constantly throughout the text.

As with many other writing genres , employing a hook to grab the reader’s attention is good practice too. This hook can take the form of a quotation, an anecdote, a statistic, or even a joke. Whatever form the hook takes, it should reveal the writer’s take on things too.

To summarize, whatever the topic and however the student opens their opinion piece, they should ensure they express their opinion immediately and coherently. There should be no doubt in the reader’s mind as to where the student-writer stands on the issue.

3. Choose Appropriate Evidence: Back It Up

There is no doubt that subjectivity is an important aspect of opinion writing in general. That does not mean, however, that opinions do not need to be substantiated.

Your students will need to recognize that each and every statement of opinion will need to be supported by appropriate evidence. This will also help students to develop their critical reading skills as they will be able to better recognize when unsubstantiated claims are made by other writers. Opinions backed up with evidence help lead the reader along the writer’s pathways of thought; making the writing more convincing as a whole.

This evidence can take a wide variety of forms, ranging from personal anecdotes and quotations to statistics and references to scientific studies. Students should also always be encouraged to choose evidence that is broadly suited to the subject they are writing about.

4. Draw Conclusions: Wrap It Up

In the well-organized piece of opinion writing, as with many other types of extended writing, the writing should be structured in paragraphs. Paragraphs are essential elements of good writing organization.

Generally speaking, an opening paragraph gives way to body paragraphs. These body paragraphs, or development paragraphs, describe in more detail the ideas laid out in the initial opening paragraph by further exploring, explaining, and providing supporting evidence for each point.

The final concluding paragraph serves to close the circle by restating the central points in a closing endeavor to drive home the writer’s opinion.

5. A Word on Words

Writing is an art form. Attention to detail is important. But, it isn’t only important to look at the big picture things like structure, students should be encouraged to shift their focus from the text level down to the word and sentence levels too. In an opinion piece, strong, forceful verbs should be the order of the day. There is little space for passive forms when engaged in the construction of convincing arguments.

Things should be kept interesting too. Students should vary their sentence structures grammatically and in length. Variety is key.

 As always in writing, editing should be emphasized. The editing process polishes the well-wrought opinion piece by putting the final gloss on the student’s work.

The OREO Opinion Writing Process Explained

As with all genres, there’s a lot to remember here and acronyms are a helpful way to commit these important things to memory. Luckily, few things can be easier to commit to memory than the name of a delicious cookie:

O – Opinion

R – Reasons

E – Evidence or Examples

O – Opinion (restated)

This memorable acronym will help students remember some of the main elements of opinion writing as outlined above. But, sometimes the hardest thing for students to do is to get the writing ball rolling.

Opinionated Sentence Starters

Sentence starters provide students with great ways to kick-start their writing. Reminding students of simple ways of introducing opinion sentences can be helpful. Here are a few for ‘starters’ for starters:

●     In my opinion…

●     I think that…

●     It seems to me that…

●     It appears to me…

●     I feel that…

Once the student-writer has effectively expressed their opinion on a matter, they then will need to provide the reader with the reasons for why they think what they think. In an essay, these reasons will usually be found in the body paragraphs or development paragraphs. Normally, these paragraphs will explore a single reason each.

Some helpful sentence starters for introducing these reasons include:

●     One reason I feel this way is…

●     Evidence to support this can be found in…

●     I believe this to evident in…

Opinion Writing Activities for Students

Students will certainly need practice completing sustained pieces of opinion writing, but some of the most valuable activities to help students evolve their opinion writing abilities barely require a pen to be put to paper.

While the following two activities do not require students to engage in extended pieces of writing, the activities below will assist students in grasping some essential concepts. These activities demonstrate good practice through modelling and also encourage dialogue, discussion, and debate as a means to strengthen opinion writing.

Activity 1: Opinion Writing – What Is It?

This exercise is a good follow-up to introductory work outlining the criteria of opinion writing as described above.

●     Start by passing out copies of a piece of opinion writing you have selected to read with the class. Read the text aloud as the students follow along with their copy. The opinion text chosen can come from a wide range of genres, including advertisements, letters, editorials, essays, articles, or reviews.

●     Assign students a talking partner and instruct students to take five minutes to identify the various criteria employed in the text. Encourage students to mark and annotate their copies of the text accordingly. You may even wish to supply students with a checklist compiled from the criteria mentioned previously in this article.

●     As a whole class, discuss how successfully the text fulfills the criteria. What did the writer do well? What could they have done better? You can record their responses on the whiteboard.

The aim of this exercise is for students to hone their critical faculties while internalizing the criteria. This will reap rewards when the students later engage in their own extended opinion writing.

Activity 2: The Collaborative Case

This activity employs collaboration to help students build a stronger case for their opinion on a divisive issue.

●     First, define the parameters of the exercise by presenting an either/or conundrum to the class. This doesn’t have to be overly controversial in nature, just stated in such a way that it forces the students to take one side or another. This could be stated simply as a choice, e.g. Dogs or cats? City or countryside? Beach or Mountains? Sweet or savory?

●     Students then divide into two groups according to their stated preferences. In their groups, they then discuss and compile as many supporting reasons for their choice as they can come up with. As a group, they will discuss the relative merits of each reason, before agreeing on their top five.

●     The groups then share their reasons in a debate format, using arguments and counter-arguments, leading into an open, free-ranging discussion.

The value of this exercise lies in the collaborative and ‘combative’ natures of the exercises. Just as our physical muscles can grow through resistance, so too can the strength and resilience of our opinions and arguments.

This activity can also be used as a lead-in to opinion writing as it works well as a prewriting preparation exercise. The complexity of the issue to be discussed and debated can easily be modified to suit the abilities of the students too.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

❤️The use of  FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE  is like  “SPECIAL EFFECTS FOR AUTHORS.”  It is a powerful tool to create  VIVID IMAGERY  through words. This  HUGE 110 PAGE UNIT  guides you through a complete understanding of  FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE  as both a  READER  and  WRITER covering.

OPINION WRITING VIDEO TUTORIALS

These videos from teaching without frills are an excellent starting point for opinion writing. You can view the entire collection here.

  The Wrap Up

Opinion writing is a higher-level skill that makes many demands on our students. It will challenge them to move beyond parroting the facts and figures they have acquired in their learning to formulate their own thoughts on topics they have learned about in class, or in the wider world beyond the school gates.

It will make demands on their skill as writers too. Our students must learn to mold and mechanically manipulate the language on the page to express their beliefs persuasively and effectively. To do this successfully, they will need ample opportunities to practice their writing craft. Once a firm understanding of the structures involved has been established, the student can become more fluid in their expression. They will add art and flair to their craft. But first, they must build on these firm foundations.

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO OPINION WRITING

Top 5 Persuasive Writing Techniques for Students

5 Top Persuasive Writing Lesson Plans for Students and Teachers

How to Write Perfect Persuasive Essays in 5 Simple Steps

23 Persuasive writing Topics for High School students

How to Write a Winning Debate Speech

33 Opinion Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

An opinion is your personal way of feeling. It is not based on facts, but rooted in your own personal knowledge and beliefs. Your opinion can be shaped by your life experiences and those around you.

Opinions can change and evolve over time, or they can stay the same.

Everyone has their own opinion, and that makes life interesting! Sharing your opinion can help you find like-minded friends and help you learn even more.

In our opinion, writing can help you discover your own opinions and find out what means the most to you!

How to use these prompts:

There are so many ways to enjoy these writing prompts!

You can pick a random number and write as much as you can, or you can go down the list and write a prompt each day as a writing challenge.

You can set a timer or a fixed word count and let the words fly!

There is no wrong way to use these writing prompts, you just have to pick one and start writing.

The writing prompts:

• What do you think an opinion is? Why do you think it is so hard to put into words?
• How do you form an opinion? Is it formed quickly or slowly over time?
• Can an opinion change over time? How does it change?
• Answer the age-old question: in your opinion, which came first, the chicken or the egg?
• What is your opinion on cartoons? Are they only for kids, or can adults enjoy them too?
• In your opinion, what is the best superhero and why? What makes them special?
• What, in your opinion, is the best food in the world? How is it prepared? When did you first have it?
• Do you think it is necessary to go to college after high school? Why or why not?
• What is your opinion on school sports? Should participation be required or not?
• Do you think every student should have a computer provided to them? Why or why not?
• Do you think students should get a vote on what is served in the cafeteria? Why or why not?
• What is your opinion on school uniforms? How do you think they benefit or detract from the learning experience?
• In your opinion, what is the best weather to live in? Do you prefer hot summers or snowy winters?
• What’s the best theme park, and what informs your decision? Is it the rides, the food, the wait times?
• In your opinion, what book should everyone read at least once? Share your opinion on the book as well.
• What is the ultimate dessert in your opinion? How is it different from other desserts?
• What is your favorite holiday besides Christmas? Rank your top5 favorite holidays and explain why, in your opinion, they are the best.
• In your opinion, what movie should everyone see in their lifetime? Should they watch it with a friend or experience it alone?
• What is the best vacation spot in your opinion? Be sure to include your vacation experience there as well.
• What is your favorite type of exercise? Explain why you want others to try that exercise.
• What genre of music, in your opinion, is the best? Why?
• What is your favorite kind of ice cream and why? Have you tried your friend’s favorite flavors? Has it changed your opinion?
• What is the most interesting animal in your opinion, and why?
• What, in your opinion, is the best animal for a pet? Have you ever had this pet, or known someone that has? What makes them a great pet?
• Would you rather live in a house or an apartment? Why?
• What career seems most interesting to you? Is that what you want to be when you grow up?
• In your opinion, is chess or checkers more enjoyable? Why?
• What is, in your opinion, your favorite board game? Do you play by the rules or make up your own? Who is your favorite person to play with?
• What is your opinion on video games? Should everyone play video games? Why or why not?
• Do you think everyone has the responsibility to vote when they are old enough? Why or why not?
• Do you think that homework should be required for students? Is it beneficial for students to have extra practice at home, or do they get enough learning time at school?
• In your opinion, should virtual learning be offered to all students from now on? Or do you believe that every student should be learning in a classroom at school. Why?
• In your opinion, do you think you should have dessert with every dinner? Would it be the same dessert or a different one? What do you think about ordering dessert first?

Looking for more?

We provide unique and interesting free content for writers and readers of all ages to share and enjoy on our website!

Try inspiring some writing about the moon , or dogs – or maybe try writing about why we dream ? We have literally thousands upon thousands of original writing prompts on our site, as well as all sorts of random story starter generators and more!

If you have any questions or suggestions for us, please reach out. Your opinion matters to us, and we look forward to hearing from you! Thanks and see you again soon.

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Thrifty in Third Grade

By Cassie Smith - Engaging Elementary Resources

Easy Ways to Introduce Opinion Writing

It sounds simple and straightforward, but the easiest way to begin an opinion writing unit is to teach your students to have opinions!

There are several fun ways to teach your students to have opinions.

Incorporate Math

Graphing is a perfect skill to integrate with your writing standards. In this case, you can ask students their favorite (animal, sport, etc…) and graph the class results. Students can collect data and can write simple opinion statements.

Incorporate Reading

When you are teaching the author’s point of view, you can incorporate opinion writing!

It’s as simple as teaching your students to agree or disagree with the author’s opinion!

Learn more about teaching point of view here .

Would You Rather?

This is a fun game you can play and you can get your whole class moving. Begin by having your class line up in a central location. Have two designated places for students to move for choice A and B.

Then, pose questions. Based on their preference, they’ll move to side A or side B.

Would You Rather Questions:

• Would you rather stub your toe or get a paper cut?
• Travel on a sailboat or travel on an airplane?
• Have extra recess or extra technology time?
• Have pizza for lunch or nachos?
• Play a board game with your family or watch a movie with your family?

Stumped on question ideas? Have your students each write one! Then, you can simply read them.

Opinion Statement Sort

After students have spent time learning what it means to have an opinion, you can move on to teaching them to write opinion statements .

Once students have learned to write an opinion statement, they are ready to move on to writing an opinion paragraph.

O-R-E-O Paragraphs

You’ve probably heard of O-R-E-O writing before, but if you haven’t, it’s a fun way to teach students how to write an opinion paragraph.

Students begin by writing their opinion statement (O), then give a reason (R), an example (E), and restate their opinion (O).

This is a very basic structure that you can use for introducing opinion writing. From there, you’ll want to teach your students how to write an opinion essay!

Check out my Opinion Piece Writing Units (Grades 2-5)! These come in both print and Google Slides formats!

Looking for more blog posts about teaching writing? Check out these!

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How to teach Opinion Writing to 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders

Opinion writing, also known as Persuasive writing, is by far an easy enough genre to teach 3 rd , 4 th, and 5th graders. Unlike narrative writing where creativity and flair come into play, the elements of opinion writing are more structured, almost formulaic, and thus easier to assimilate.

Teaching The Structural Components of Opinion Writing

Students are known to turn out better writing pieces if they have direction. Hence explicitly teaching the structural components of a persuasive/opinion essay is essential.

If students are taught the form and structure of opinion writing, the job is half done. The success of the other half pretty much depends upon the writer’s content knowledge of the subject.

Teaching the structure of an opinion essay can thus be broken down into three major sections: The Introduction, The Body, and The Conclusion.

✏ The Introduction of Opinion Writing

How many times have we reminded our students that the beginning of an essay is so very important – that it has to arrest the reader’s attention so they are hooked to continue reading.

For the introduction to be effective, it must have a hook , the writer’s opinion, and a thesis statement . This is the structure of the introduction.

If students just practice writing an introduction on several given writing prompts for a week, adhering to structure for this section, will be second nature.

The Hook In the Introduction

Teaching students just one way to hook the reader in an opinion essay is not enough as different types of hooks would create different effects – besides we need to give our little writers lots of choices when it comes to writing. This flexibility goes a long way in getting their creative juices going when writing supporting details that support their opinion.

5 Popular Hooks to Support the Opinion

So you can teach your 3 rd , 4 th, and 5 th graders to begin their opinion essay with any one of the five different hooks. Interestingly, they are also called sizzling starts. And rightly so.

Students may begin with any one of the below hooks:

• Strong Statement
• Rhetorical Question

The first two starters are popular starters and I often encourage my 5 th graders to use either of them in their introduction.

Writing the Opinion of an Opinion Essay

Right after the hook, students write their opinion on the issue after weighing the pros and cons.

Now for the lower grades (grades 1-3), students could simply begin their opinion with any of the phrases:

• ‘In my opinion..’
• ‘I firmly believe…’
• ‘I am of the opinion…’

However, 3 rd , 4 th, and 5 th graders need to show more sophistication in their writing, so beginning with these opinion starters would not do justice to the writing skill they are actually capable of implementing.

Instead, students need to convey their opinion subtly by reflecting on the issue. This will consequently lead to the thesis statement that follows next and sums up the introduction.

✏ Writing The Body of an Opinion Essay

We can teach our 3 rd , 4 th, and 5 th graders to adhere to structure when they write the body paragraphs of their opinion essay too.

Each body paragraph needs to have a reason introduced by a topic sentence , supporting details that support the reason, and a concluding sentence that sums up that body paragraph. If students are explicitly taught this structure, then they are more likely to stay on task and won’t get carried away in their writing.

So, how many body paragraphs should there be?

The best number, I tell my 5th-grade students is – three. Each reason is given its very own paragraph, with the last paragraph reserved for the most important reason.

The least strong reason should be sandwiched between the first strong reason and the last. This is in keeping with the notion that the beginning and end of any piece of writing are the most important.

✏ Writing The Conclusion of an Opinion Essay

Some students are known to get so carried away with their reasoning in the body paragraphs that they often skip this last important section or don’t have the time to write it – if sitting a timed writing examination.

It is in this section, that students need to be reminded to re-visit their opinion, provide a summary statement of their reasons, and the most important of all – give a call to action that causes the reader to reflect on the issue.  In a real-life context, this call of action would induce the reader to take action on the basis of the arguments put forth.

The Effective Approach to Teaching Opinion Writing

Now that all the structural elements of an opinion essay have been dissected, how does one go about teaching them explicitly to students – that is the question.

Based on my personal experience and in my opinion, the best approach would be to teach each structural component separately . This would entail providing ample practice and modeling on the elements involved.

Once students have a good understanding and practice of the structural components of each section, then they can write out the entire opinion essay, given a prompt. Prior to doing so, brainstorming ideas for each section on a graphic organizer would help structure students’ writing further and provide direction.

My Summary of How to Teach Opinion Writing to 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th Graders

So just a few take-away points for you when you next teach your 3 rd , 4 th, or 5 th graders how to write an opinion essay.

1. Teach students each structural component separately prior to having students write out the entire opinion essay based on a prompt.

2. Teach students how to write the introduction first in an opinion essay. This should include the different types of hooks, the opinion, and the thesis statement.

3. Teach students how to write the body of an opinion essay. This should also include each reason introduced by a topic sentence, 2-3 supporting details to support the reason, and a concluding sentence to conclude the paragraph and link back to the first reason in the topic sentence. This explicit teaching should be done for all body paragraphs.

4. Teach students how to write the conclusion which restates the writer’s opinion, provides a brief overview of the reasons, and gives a call to action.

5. And above all, remind students to edit their draft prior to publishing.

All this explicit teaching needs to be adequately supported by teacher modeling and ample student practice for each structural component of the opinion essay.

To conclude this post, structure provides focus and clarity of thought. Both of which we desire our students to have in order for them to turn out writing pieces that they are proud of and that we enjoy reading and – yes marking.

Need a collection of self-written mentor texts ( no need to spend on books ), print-n-go sheets, interactive notebook activities, Scavenger Hunts, flipbooks, anchor charts, posters, checklists, and  marking rubrics  to teach your students a step-by-step approach to writing an opinion essay effectively? Then access the Opinion (Persuasive) Writing Growing Bundle.

Teaching Opinion Writing digitally? Learn more here.

And if you’d like a set of free Opinion Writing Signal Words posters to display in your classroom, access the link in the image below.

Until Next Time…

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Teaching opinion writing tips and activities.

Today, you’re going to get a bunch of teaching opinion writing tips. I’m going to what best practices I think you can follow. I hope that you’re going to walk away with a clear understanding of what is expected when teaching this standard. I also hope you walk away with some fun ideas and activities to add to your lesson plans! All of the images you see below (except for the read-alouds) are part of my ELA writing units. The links to all grade levels are at the bottom!

Let’s dive into the opinion writing standards

Common Core writing domain focuses on three big types of writing:  informative, narrative, and today’s topic OPINION WRITING! It begins kindergarten and each year, gets progressively more in depth and detailed. Here is a look at K-5’s expectations for opinion writing, according to Common Core.

• Kinder: Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is.. .).
• 1st: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion and provide some sense of closure.
• 2nd: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because , and , also ) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
• 3rd: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. (a- Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.) (b- Provide reasons that support the opinion.) (c- Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because , therefore , since , for example ) to connect opinion and reasons.) (d- Provide a concluding statement or section.)
• 4th: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information. (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.)

Outline of how to teach opinion writing…

• What is opinion writing?
• How do I state an opinion?
• Supporting your opinion
• Introductions explicit teaching
• Conclusions explicit teaching
• Provide lots of practice

If you teach opinion writing broken up in parts like this, your students can focus on each part. That way, they can get a true grasp of what each piece requires and how to write it.

Load up on Mentor Texts

Every single part of this blog post will include mentor texts. Each time you teach your students about a component of opinion writing, use a strong example! Mentor texts are great because students can see what they’re learning in engaging or familiar books. Then, it can help them with their own practice. Each of the book links below are affiliate links to Amazon.

• Hey Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose
• I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty
• My Teacher for President by Kay Winters
• The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini
• I Wanna New Room by Karen Kaufman Orloff
• I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufman Orloff
• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
• Red is Best by Kathy Stinson
• Earrings by Judith Viorst
• Don’t Let Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
• Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin

First, teach WHAT Opinion Writing is

When you begin your opinion writing unit, you of course need to start with teaching them what it is. You will be showing them the framework of an opinion writing piece. First, create an anchor chart (or use one provided to you in my ELA units). Then, as you explore texts, examples, and activities, you can refer back to this anchor chart to teach opinion writing framework.

Now, it’s time to get the students talking. Give them an engaging partner talk game, such as Stand Up, Hand Up, Pair Up or Mix-Pair-Share. When they’re with a partner, ask them questions about the actual framework. Ask them the purposes of each component. This will help strengthen their writing when it’s time to start writing independently.

After that, you can start showing them real-world examples. Start with read-alouds and mentor texts. See if students can identify the introduction, opinion sentence, support, and conclusion. Then, give them examples that aren’t tied to a picture book. Above, you see two different activities. One of them asks students to put a puzzle together of sample sentences for each component. The other is a cut-and-glue activity where they have to sort sample sentences. (Links to all resources are at the bottom of the blog post.)

Stating an Opinion

Next, it’s time to simply teach them how to state an opinion. If you’re in kinder or first grade, you may have to take a step back and teach what an opinion is and how it’s different from a fact. But… once that’s determined, you can start teaching opinion sentences.

Make a class anchor chart or display a stem poster in your classroom. This will help trigger their ability to form an opinion sentence. Then, give them a few engaging partner activities. For example, the image above shows a partner game where students are shown an Opinion Stem chart and one picture topic card at a time. They will form an opinion sentence about that topic using a different stem each time.

It’s also important to teach your writers the difference between strong and weak opinion sentences. There is a big difference between “I like pizza” and “Pizza is my favorite dinner”. One way to practice this is to have students sort different sample sentences into the strong and weak categories.

Then, it’s time to let them practice! Try using one of the templates in the ELA unit like the one shown above. It gives students a collection of sentence stems and a topic. They will have to form an opinion sentence using a mixture of all these options!

Dive deeper with reasons

Once you get into second, third, fourth grade (and above), you’re going to be required to teach students how to support their opinion. The big thing that can really help is just the word ‘why’. This helps trigger students to think of the reasons behind their opinion. Once they get to 2nd grade, they have to be able to give reasons why they like or dislike something. Try using an opinion writing anchor chart explaining support.

Now that you’ve taught your students HOW to support their reasons, it’s time to practice. Give them lots of opportunities to try supporting opinions with reasons. There are two activities shown in the image above. First, you have a picture card with an opinion sentence. Students will work with a partner to try to create a strong reason to support this opinion. Next, there is an opinion sentence strip that students will draw and try to create a strong support.

Move onto INTRODUCTIONS when teaching opinion writing

One of the biggest pieces to teaching opinion writing is the introduction. This is the hook. This is where your students are going to try to draw their audience in. First, teach introductions explicitly using an anchor chart or poster from my ELA units. Then, choose one or two mentor texts to show how they’ve used introductions to hook their readers.

It’s a great idea to show students what a strong introduction looks like with modeling. Another way is to give them a matching activity where they have to read introduction sentences and sort them.

Here is another game example for students to participate in. They will match three cards together. First, they will match the topic card and a sample introduction. Then, they will match a strong opinion sentence to follow up their introduction sentence. While playing this game, students can get a strong sense of what an introduction paragraph will look like in a multi-paragraph paper.

Finish up with CONCLUSIONS

Next, you’ll teach conclusions explicitly. Just like you did with introductions, conclusions need to start with an anchor chart or discussion of a poster. Students can learn conclusion stems, reasons for conclusions, and why they’re used. After teaching opinion writing conclusions explicitly, show students examples with mentor texts from the list above. Read one or two mentor texts and discuss what conclusions were used.

Give your students lots of practice with writing conclusions. Hands-on writing activities and matching games are two ways to give them practice singling out conclusions. Above, you see a flip book. They will fold and snip along the dotted edges. Under each flap, students will write an example of each type of conclusion (such as final facts, repeated opinions, personal experiences, and offering a suggestion.

Provide lots of opportunities to practice!

In my ELA units, I also offer 3-4 final writing pieces. They’re presented as lesson plans, so you can still walk students through these steps. First, they’ll be presented with their prompt. The prompt shown above asks which living condition would be worse: Arctic or desert. Then, the steps of the lesson plans walk students through brainstorming, pre-writing, and drafting their papers.

Finally, you’ve taught all the pieces of your opinion writing unit. Therefore, it’s time to practice, practice, practice. Once you teach students to write an opinion piece from start to finish, give them different prompts to write about in their journals. Or they could even write about these as a final opinion writing piece! Choose high-interest and engaging topics for students to write about.

Are you ready for your Opinion Writing resources?

Interested in Free Graphic Organizers for Your Writing Unit?

Want to read more writing blog posts?

• How to Make Your Writing Interactive
• Warm Up Your Kids with a Daily Writing Warm-up
• Read more about: Common Core Aligned , Writing Blog Posts

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How to Teach Opinion Writing

In this post, I share 5 tips for How to Teach Opinion Writing and provide details about the Opinion Writing Units resources I have created for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students.   Be sure to download 3 FREE opinion writing graphic organizers !

The Common Core writing domain focuses on three big types of writing: informative, narrative, and opinion writing.  Each genre serves a unique purpose and follows a specific structure in which we must explicitly teach our students.   In my last post I shared tips and resources for teaching Informative Writing and today I’m excited to move on to Opinion Writing. 

Opinion Writing is one of my favorite genres to teach.  Young students have opinions on just about EVERYTHING and they usually aren’t afraid to share them!!  For this reason, they find the genre highly engaging! 

Today I’m sharing 5 tips for teaching opinion writing, as well as a valuable resource that has everything you need to bring opinion writing into your kindergarten , first grade, or second grade literacy centers! 

Tips for Teaching Opinion Writing

1.  read opinion writing mentor texts .

Before you can ask your students to write in a genre that is new to them, you must first immerse them in it.  So to begin your unit, you’ll want to share examples of opinion writing with your students.  These mentor texts provide students with excellent examples of opinion writing. 

As you read them aloud, highlight the way the author structures their writing.  Identify the author’s topic or opinion and point out the reasons he or she gives to support their opinion.  All of these things will help students better understand what type of writing we are asking them to do.    

When you’re picking opinion mentor texts to share with your students there are a few things to consider .  First, do you (the educator) think it is excellent?  Second, is it easy for your students to understand?  And finally, is it relevant to the type of writing you are teaching?  If you answer “Yes!” to all three, then you’re good to go!

To help you out I’ve created a list of excellent mentor texts you can use when teaching opinion writing to kindergarten, first, or second grade students.  

A List of Opinion Writing Mentor Texts:

• Duck Rabbit by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
• I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufmann Orloff
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
• Red is Best by Kathy Stinson
• Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
• The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan

I’ve saved all these titles on one board so you can easily take a closer look at these mentor texts.  Click here to see this list on Amazon.

2.  Model Your Own Opinion Writing

I know I say this a lot, but it’s worth repeating…. MODEL, MODEL, and then once again MODEL what you expect your students to do!  It is a tremendously powerful instructional tool! 

When teaching opinion writing you’ll first model how to choose a topic.  When you generate ideas you can ask yourself, “What do I know all about?” “What do I care about?” “What do I wish other people believed?”.

If these questions feel too broad for your students you can use simple “would you rather” questions to get your ideas for an opinion piece.  For example, “Would you rather have a dog or a cat?”  This could lead to the topic, “Dogs are the best pet.” Keep it simple and choose a topic that is relatable to your students.    

Next, model how you plan your writing using a graphic organizer.  Show them how you open with a topic sentence that states your opinion. Next, come up with your supporting reasons. End with a closing sentence that restates your opinion.  

Model how you use the graphic organizer to guide you as you write out your full piece. 

Finally, reread your work aloud and show students how you catch silly mistakes such as spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors.  You can also show how you add additional supporting reasons to make your writing more persuasive to the reader.  

3. Use Anchor Charts

You want your students to know that when they write an opinion piece they are sharing their own opinion. They are not sharing true facts. Take time to review the difference between facts and opinions. Create an anchor chart that defines fact vs. opinion.

You’ll also want to review language that is specific to the genre. Remind students of the linking or transitional words that connect their opinion to their reasons.

Finally, you’ll want to create an anchor chart using the writing you model. This will serve as another example of excellent opinion writing.  As a class, add labels to identify the topic sentence, supporting reasons and the closing sentence in your shared writing.  

All of these anchor charts can be posted in your writing center. Encourage your students to refer back to them and use them as support as they write their own pieces.

4. Allow students to edit and share their writing

Provide a good writers checklist at your writing center.  For opinion writing you’ll want the checklist to include items such,  “Do I have a topic sentence that clearly states my opinion?”  “Do I have supporting reasons ?” and “Do I have a closing sentence?”, as well as reminders to check for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors.  

You can also create a rubric specific to the genre. Model how you use it to assess your own work and how it can be used to provide feedback to others.   

Give students the opportunity to share their writing with others!  Pair students with partners and let them read their pieces to each other.  Encourage them to provide feedback using the editing checklist and the rubric as a guide.  

5. Provide Daily Opportunities for Students to Write

As with all things, writing takes PRACTICE!  Students need dedicated instructional time to learn the skills and strategies necessary to become effective writers, as well as time to practice what they learn.   When you think about your daily instructional schedule, make sure you are giving your students ample opportunities to practice their opinion writing through whole-group instruction, small groups and/or independent practice in writing centers. 

Opinion Writing Unit For Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Students

Today I’m excited to share with you the details about my Kindergarten Opinion , 1st Grade Opinion , and my 2nd grade Opinion Writing units!  I love them because they have ALL the resources you need to give your students the practice they need to master opinion writing.  

These units were developed with standards-based research specific to each grade. You can use them within whole class or small group instruction, or as a literacy center activity where students can practice opinion writing independently!  

What’s Included in these Opinion Writing Resources?

The kindergarten , first grade , and the second grade opinion writing resources each include information to help you unpack the unit and a mini-lesson you’ll teach to give your students a review of opinion writing.  You’ll get a list of suggested mentor texts and online resources, printable anchor charts, graphic organizers, seasonal writing prompts, and conversational task cards to help get kids to share their opinion on different topics.  

Kindergarten Opinion Writing Unit

Kindergarteners will probably need a review of fact vs. opinion so the kindergarten resource includes a printable fact vs. opinion anchor chart . You’ll also get charts with opinion writing sentence starters to help them organize their reasons and thoughts.  

The kindergarten seasonal writing prompts come with traceable sentence stems and picture supported vocabulary word bank to assist young writers in brainstorming ideas and spelling words while writing.

Finally, you’ll get an editing checklist that is specific to opinion writing but also appropriate for the kindergarten level. 

First Grade and Second Grade Opinion Writing Units

The first and second-grade resources include fact vs. opinion and linking words anchor charts that provide review and help them organize their ideas.  

To help first and second-graders practice writing you’ll get 28 “Would You Rather” seasonal conversational opinion centers and 24 writing prompts. That’s more than enough to keep kids engaged in sharing their opinions all throughout the year!  

The prompts are both PRINTABLE & DIGITAL. The digital version has been PRELOADED for you, with 1 click add them to your Google Drive or upload them to SeeSaw.

Each seasonal prompt printable paper includes a story-specific vocabulary bank to provide spelling assistance and help students get ideas for reasons to support their opinion. 

Finally, you’ll also get a self-editing checklist and rubric that have both been made specifically for opinion writing.  This rubric can be used as a self-assessment tool or as a guide for peer feedback.     

I love these writing units because they can be used in so many different ways.  They offer opportunities for students to practice opinion writing as a whole class, in small groups, as a literacy center activity, for homework, or as a meaningful activity for when they have a substitute teacher!  

FREE Opinion Writing Graphic Organizers

Are you ready to begin Opinion Writing in your classroom? To help get you started, I am happy to offer you 3 FREE Opinion Writing Graphic Organizers! You can download them here .

The ability to state one’s opinion and support it with persuasive reasons is a valuable academic and LIFE skill!  I hope the information and resources I’ve shared today will help to bring stronger opinion writing instruction and more meaningful practice to your kindergarten, first and second-grade classrooms!

Be on the lookout for my next post that will focus on the final genre… Narrative Writing! I’ll share information and tips for teaching narrative writing, as well as give you details about my Narrative Writing Units for kindergarten , first and second-grade students!

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Shaping Young Minds: Opinion Writing Topics for 3rd Grade

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

1. Developing Writing Skills: Why Opinion Writing is Important for 3rd Graders

2. exploring engaging topics: inspiring ideas for opinion writing in 3rd grade, 3. nurturing critical thinking: encouraging 3rd graders to form informed opinions, 4. promoting self-expression: creating a safe environment for 3rd grade opinion writing, 5. incorporating real-life connections: connecting opinion writing to everyday experiences, 6. building logical arguments: teaching 3rd graders the art of persuasive writing, 7. cultivating empathy: empowering 3rd graders to write about social issues, 8. encouraging collaboration: peer feedback and revision in 3rd grade opinion writing, frequently asked questions, in conclusion.

Opinion writing plays a crucial role in the development of writing skills for 3rd graders. It goes beyond simply expressing thoughts and ideas; it encourages young students to think critically, engage in open-minded discussions, and develop their own unique perspectives. Here are several reasons why opinion writing is essential for 3rd graders:

• Enhances critical thinking: Through opinion writing, students learn to analyze various topics from different angles and make informed judgments. They develop the ability to gather evidence, evaluate arguments, and support their opinions with logical reasoning.
• Fosters communication skills: When children express their opinions in writing, they’re encouraged to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely. This skill helps them organize their ideas effectively and communicate their viewpoints with confidence and coherence.

Moreover, opinion writing empowers 3rd graders by giving them a voice. It allows them to express their feelings, preferences, and beliefs on a wide range of subjects, such as their favorite books, sports, or even current events. By practicing opinion writing, children gain a sense of autonomy and become more capable of participating in constructive conversations both in and outside the classroom.

In 3rd grade, opinion writing not only teaches students essential skills but also encourages them to express themselves freely. To assist young writers in generating interesting and thought-provoking ideas, we’ve compiled a list of engaging topics that will spark their imagination and promote critical thinking.

Take a look at some exciting ideas to incorporate into your opinion writing lessons:

• Is it better to read books or watch movies? Invite students to share their preference and explain why they believe one medium is superior to the other.
• Should school uniform be mandatory? Encourage students to debate the pros and cons of wearing a school uniform, considering factors such as equality, individuality, and school spirit.
• Which season is the best? Explore the unique characteristics of each season and allow students to defend their favorite, showcasing their creative writing skills.
• Should pets be allowed in school? Ask students to articulate their stance on the topic, weighing the benefits and potential distractions that pets may bring to the classroom.

These topic suggestions aim to captivate 3rd graders’ interest and encourage them to form and support their own opinions. Remember, providing a safe and inclusive environment for open discussions is key to fostering their growth as independent thinkers and writers!

Developing critical thinking skills is crucial for 3rd graders as they begin to form their own opinions about the world around them. By nurturing their ability to think critically, we empower them to analyze information, question assumptions, and make informed decisions . Here are some effective strategies to encourage 3rd graders in developing this essential skill:

• Engage in thought-provoking discussions: Encourage open-ended questions and active participation in class discussions. By asking students to explain their reasoning and supporting their opinions with evidence, we foster critical thinking.
• Current events exploration: Introduce students to age-appropriate news articles and encourage discussions on topics that are relevant to their lives. This exposes them to different perspectives, helps them think beyond their immediate experiences, and broadens their understanding of the world.

Moreover, it is essential to provide students with a safe and inclusive environment where they feel comfortable expressing their opinions without fear of judgment. Praising their efforts in formulating well-reasoned arguments and celebrating diverse viewpoints will further fuel their desire to think critically. By nurturing critical thinking in 3rd graders, we equip them with a valuable skill that will serve them well throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Creating a safe environment for 3rd grade opinion writing is essential in promoting self-expression among young writers. By establishing a supportive atmosphere, students can feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment. Here are some strategies to promote self-expression in the classroom:

• Encourage active listening: Foster a culture of respect by teaching students the importance of active listening. This will help students feel heard and validated when expressing their opinions.
• Modeling open-mindedness: As an educator, it is crucial to model open-mindedness and respect for differing views. By doing so, students will learn to appreciate diverse opinions and feel encouraged to express their own.
• Provide choice: Offer a variety of topics for opinion writing, allowing students to select a subject they feel passionate about. This autonomy promotes engagement and aids in developing confident writers.

Moreover, it is equally essential to create a safe space where students can feel free to express themselves:

• Create a non-judgmental environment: Emphasize the importance of giving and receiving constructive feedback. Encourage students to focus on the content rather than criticizing individual opinions.
• Incorporate peer collaboration: Implement activities that promote collaboration and discussion, such as pair or group writing exercises. This allows students to share ideas, learn from one another, and build confidence in expressing their opinions.

By implementing these strategies and fostering a safe environment, 3rd-grade students will thrive in their opinion writing journey, gaining valuable skills in self-expression and communication that will benefit them throughout their academic and personal lives.

Opinion writing becomes more meaningful and relatable when it is connected to real-life experiences. By incorporating everyday connections, students can develop a deeper understanding of their own perspectives and engage in more authentic discussions. Here are some creative ways to connect opinion writing to the real world:

• Current Events: Encourage students to read and analyze news articles or watch relevant videos that discuss topics they are interested in. This not only enhances their knowledge on various subjects but also helps them develop critical thinking skills as they form opinions based on factual evidence.
• Personal Reflections: Provide opportunities for students to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. This could involve writing about their favorite books, movies, or even their personal values. By connecting their opinions to their own lives, students become more invested in their writing and find it easier to express themselves.

Furthermore, incorporating real-life connections in opinion writing fosters empathy and broadens students’ understanding of different perspectives. By discussing diverse opinions on topics such as climate change, social justice, or even popular culture, students are exposed to a range of viewpoints. This exposure teaches them to respect differing opinions and engage in respectful debates, ultimately strengthening their communication and collaborative skills.

In order to teach 3rd graders the art of persuasive writing, it is important to focus on building logical arguments. By giving students the necessary tools to construct solid arguments, they will be better equipped to express their ideas effectively and convince others of their viewpoint. Here are some strategies and activities that can help enhance their persuasive writing skills :

• Understanding the audience: Teach students to consider who their audience is and what their concerns or interests may be. Encourage them to tailor their arguments accordingly and use language that appeals to their audience.
• Identifying supporting evidence: Emphasize the importance of using evidence to back up their claims. Teach students to find reliable sources, such as books or articles, to support their arguments. Help them learn how to present this evidence in a clear and organized manner.
• Exploring counterarguments: Introduce students to the concept of counterarguments and teach them how to address opposing viewpoints. Encourage them to anticipate counterarguments and explain why their own position is stronger.
• Using persuasive language: Teach students various techniques, such as using strong adjectives and adverbs, appealing to emotions, and employing rhetorical questions. These language tools can help make their arguments more compelling and persuasive.

By building strong logical arguments, 3rd graders can become skilled persuasive writers. Encourage them to practice these strategies through class debates or persuasive writing assignments. Remind them that their opinion matters and by presenting well-constructed arguments, they have the power to influence others.

Cultivating empathy is crucial in today’s society, and it is never too early to start teaching it to our children. In this empowering workshop, we bring together a group of talented 3rd graders to explore and write about social issues that matter to them. By engaging these young minds in discussions about empathy, they will develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and learn how their words can make a difference.

Through interactive activities and thought-provoking prompts, we guide the 3rd graders in expressing their thoughts and emotions about various social issues. We foster their creativity and encourage them to think critically about topics such as bullying, poverty, and environmental conservation. Our experienced facilitators provide a safe space for these young writers to share their perspectives and feelings, empowering them to use the power of the written word to raise awareness and advocate for positive change.

Throughout the workshop, our emphasis is on teaching these 3rd graders how to write effectively about social issues. We encourage them to use descriptive language, incorporating sensory details that evoke emotions in their readers. By emphasizing the importance of research, we guide them to gather facts and statistics that support their arguments and opinions. Additionally, we inspire them to interview individuals who have experienced these issues firsthand, amplifying authentic voices in their writing. Overall, this workshop equips young minds with the tools and the confidence they need to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.

• Cultivate empathy in young 3rd graders
• Encourage critical thinking and creativity
• Promote effective writing about social issues
• Provide a safe space for sharing perspectives
• Teach the importance of research and interviewing

Collaboration plays a crucial role in the development of 3rd graders’ opinion writing skills. By encouraging peer feedback and revision, students not only enhance their writing abilities but also foster teamwork and critical thinking. Here’s how teachers can create a collaborative environment in the classroom:

1. Peer Feedback Sessions: Set aside dedicated time for students to provide feedback on each other’s opinion pieces. This can be done through structured activities such as pair or small group discussions. Encourage students to focus on specific elements of writing, such as clarity of arguments, use of examples, or organization. Remind them to be constructive and respectful in their feedback, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.

2. Revision Stations: Transform your classroom into interactive revision stations to engage students in the revision process. Divide the room into different areas, each focusing on a specific aspect of opinion writing. For example, one station could be dedicated to strengthening introduction paragraphs, while another could focus on incorporating persuasive language techniques. Allow students to rotate through these stations, providing them opportunities to revise their own work and receive guidance from their peers. This hands-on approach not only encourages collaboration but also empowers students to take ownership of their writing.

Q: What are opinion writing topics for 3rd grade? A: Opinion writing topics for 3rd grade are subjects that allow students to express their personal views and provide reasons to support their opinions. These topics encourage critical thinking skills and help students develop their own unique voice through writing.

Q: Why is opinion writing important for 3rd graders? A: Opinion writing is important for 3rd graders as it helps them develop their communication skills, creativity, and ability to express themselves effectively. It also encourages independent thinking, as students learn to form opinions based on their own experiences and observations.

Q: What are some popular opinion writing topics for 3rd graders? A: Popular opinion writing topics for 3rd graders include: 1. Should students have to wear school uniforms? 2. Is it better to have a pet or a sibling? 3. What is the best after-school activity? 4. Should kids be allowed to vote? 5. Should school days be shorter? 6. Is homework necessary? 7. Which is better, indoor or outdoor games? 8. Should junk food be banned at school?

Q: How can teachers facilitate opinion writing in 3rd grade classrooms? A: Teachers can facilitate opinion writing in 3rd grade classrooms through various strategies: 1. Provide clear explanations of what opinion writing is and model the process for students. 2. Offer a range of age-appropriate and engaging topics for students to choose from. 3. Encourage brainstorming sessions to help students gather ideas and arguments. 4. Teach students how to structure their opinion pieces, including writing an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. 5. Foster a classroom environment that values and respects differing opinions. 6. Provide regular feedback and support to help students improve their writing skills. 7. Incorporate peer-review activities to encourage collaboration and revision.

Q: How can parents support their 3rd graders in opinion writing? A: Parents can support their 3rd graders in opinion writing by: 1. Encouraging their child to practice writing their opinions by discussing daily topics or events. 2. Reading opinion articles together and discussing the arguments made by the writer. 3. Helping their child brainstorm ideas and organize their thoughts before writing. 4. Providing constructive feedback on their child’s writing, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement. 5. Setting aside regular time for writing practice at home. 6. Celebrating their child’s accomplishments and progress in opinion writing.

Q: Why is it important for 3rd graders to develop their own opinions through writing? A: It is important for 3rd graders to develop their own opinions through writing because it helps them develop critical thinking skills, learn to evaluate information, and express themselves confidently. Writing allows children to reflect on their own thoughts and emotions, fostering creativity and individuality.

Q: Are there any benefits of opinion writing beyond 3rd grade? A: Yes, opinion writing continues to be valuable beyond 3rd grade. As students progress through their education, the ability to express opinions effectively becomes increasingly important in academic and professional settings. Opinion writing helps students develop skills such as persuasive writing, critical analysis, and communication, which are relevant throughout their lives.

In conclusion, opinion writing in 3rd grade helps young minds develop critical thinking skills, express their thoughts, and build confidence in communicating their ideas. It is a valuable tool that empowers them to shape their own perspectives and participate in meaningful conversations.

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BRIEF RESEARCH REPORT article

Writing performance in primary grade: exploring the links between cognitive and motivational variables provisionally accepted.

• 1 Faculty of Psychology and Education Science, University of Porto, Portugal

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Current theoretical models of writing suggest that cognitive and motivational processes interact with each other during written production. However, despite the growing interest in motivational variables in writing, there are still few efforts to study them together with cognitive variables. Therefore, this study aimed to test the possibility that the cognitive processes of transcription and executive functions may be related to writing performance, through their link with the writing-motivational variables of self-efficacy and attitudes. For that, 157 Portuguese third and fourth graders planned and completed one opinion essay, performed transcription tasks, and completed motivation-related questionnaires. Furthermore, schoolteachers completed an executive function questionnaire about each student and provided their school grades. Results showed that motivation, specifically self-efficacy, did not predict Grade 3 and 4 writing performance. However, attitudes were predictors of written planning and text length. More specifically, attitudes and handwriting fluency contributed to text length just as attitudes and spelling accuracy contributed to written planning. There was no evidence of indirect effects from cognitive variables on writing performance via motivation variables. These findings provide original information on the links between cognition and motivation in writing, which may be useful to guide the teaching of writing. In line with effective instructional approaches to writing, current findings further support the importance of jointly targeting the cognitive and affective dimensions of writing.

Keywords: transcription, executive functions, attitudes, self-efficacy, Writing performance

Received: 17 Oct 2023; Accepted: 20 Mar 2024.

Copyright: © 2024 Rocha, Magalhães, Castro and Limpo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Prof. Teresa Limpo, Faculty of Psychology and Education Science, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

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