Writing Opinion Essays with Supporting Reasons
Writing Opinion Essays with Supporting Reasons Objective: Students will learn to write a clear opinion essay, supporting their opinion with relevant reasons and examples.
Learning Objectives
- Understand what an opinion is and how it differs from a fact.
- Identify reasons that support an opinion.
- Write a short essay stating an opinion with at least two supporting reasons.
Materials Needed
- Paper or notebook
- Pencil and eraser
- Example opinion essay (provided by parent)
- Colored pencils or markers
Key Vocabulary
- Opinion
- A personal belief or judgment about something.
- Reason
- A fact or explanation that supports an opinion.
- Example
- A specific detail that helps explain a reason.
Detailed Activities
Understanding Opinions and Reasons
- Explain the meaning of ‘opinion’ and how it is different from a fact.
- Read a simple opinion sentence together and talk about why someone might think that.
- Discuss reasons that support the opinion and give examples.
Planning the Opinion Essay
- Choose a simple topic (e.g., favorite fruit or animal).
- Help the student state their opinion on the topic.
- Brainstorm two reasons that support the opinion and write them down.
- Think of examples to explain each reason.
Writing the Opinion Essay
- Write a short essay starting with the opinion statement.
- Add the two reasons with examples as supporting details.
- Use colored pencils or markers to underline the opinion and reasons.
- Read the essay aloud together and make corrections if needed.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to express their own opinions and reassure them there are no wrong answers.
- Use simple topics your child enjoys to make the activity engaging.
- Be patient with spelling and grammar; focus on the structure of opinion writing first.
Assessment Questions
- What is an opinion?
- Can you tell me two reasons that support your opinion?
- Why is it important to give reasons when you write your opinion?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child write an opinion essay about a different topic and share it with a family member.
- Create a poster that lists opinions and supporting reasons on a chosen subject.
- Read simple opinion articles online or in books and discuss the reasons given.
Frequently Asked Questions
Help your child by asking guiding questions like ‘Why do you like this?’ or ‘What makes it special?’ to encourage their thinking.
Focus on conversation first by discussing opinions and reasons. Writing can come later as a way to record their thoughts.
Praise their effort and gently suggest one or two improvements at a time, keeping the tone positive and supportive.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children may confuse opinions with facts.
- Students might give only one reason or no reasons to support their opinion.
- Students may struggle to organize their thoughts clearly in writing.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Allow drawing or verbal explanations before writing.
- Use sentence starters like ‘I think…’ and ‘One reason is…’.
- Break writing into smaller sections over multiple days.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage including more than two reasons and examples.
- Have students research facts to support their opinion.
- Introduce linking words such as ‘because’ and ‘therefore’ to improve flow.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend the first 15 minutes on discussion and brainstorming.
- Use 20 minutes for writing the opinion essay.
- Reserve the last 10 minutes for reviewing and sharing the essay.
Standards
- 5.W.5 — Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
Printable Worksheet
Plan Your Own Lesson
Looking for a custom lesson plan? Try our Lesson Planning Generator — create standards-based plans for any topic, instantly!
Common Core Aligned Lesson Plans
Looking for another common core lesson? See all of the lesson plans here.
More Free Lesson Plans
We’re adding more every week! Check back soon or explore all our lesson plans here.
Leave a Reply