Writing GREAT Opinion Paragraphs - Condensed

Writing GREAT Opinion Paragraphs

Poll

Before we get started, how are you doing today?

• I'm insanely awesome.

• I'm hanging in there.

• I'm awake. Calling it a win.

• I can't wait to get back home to my cat.

• I'm very well, thanks for asking!

Poll

One more important question: Are you a cat person, or a dog person?

• Cat Person

• Dog Person

• Neither. Animals are stinky.

Poll

Last one, promise.

• Video Games

• Social Media

• Sports

• Art

• Ew. None of these.

Poll

Let's focus now!

How do you feel about your writing skills in general?

• I'm a decent writer when I try my best.

• I'm okay at writing, but I'm mostly guessing.

• I've never liked writing, and I don't do it often.

• I'm a pretty great writer!

_{Great news! No matter what your writing skills are currently, I'm going to teach you how to write a GREAT opinion paragraph.}

We're not going to worry about language use yet. First, let's make sure we can:

• Use keywords or information from the question to start your answer

• Use well-developed supporting details that make sense and connect to the question/topic

• Use connecting/transition words that help the writing to flow

• Organize the supporting details in a way that makes sense

• Include an opening and closing sentence that relates to your topic

• Use language that suits your purpose (no slang, no exaggeration, nothing inappropriate, etc.)

Wait...What?

So spelling DOESN'T count?!?

Poll

How confident do you feel about writing a great opinion paragraph right now?

• I've totally got this.

• Pretty good.

• Not so confident.

• I'm not sure yet. Can you show me?

Today's Process:

• I'M going to show you some student writing from another school

• WE will assess their paragraphs together

• WE will give them tips for improvement

• YOU will use this lesson to write (or continue writing) your opinion paragraph

Here's what I asked these students to answer:

Multiple Select

Using our checklist, what has 🍏 done well? Choose all that apply!

• Using keywords or information from the question to start the answer.

• Using supporting details that make sense and connect to the question/topic.

• Using connecting words to help the writing flow.

• Organizing the supporting details in a way that makes sense.

• Including an opening and closing that relates to the topic.

Multiple Select

Using our checklist, what has 🍓 done well? Choose all that apply!

• Using keywords or information from the question to start the answer.

• Using supporting details that make sense and connect to the question/topic.

• Using connecting words to help the writing flow.

• Organizing the supporting details in a way that makes sense.

• Including an opening and closing that relates to the topic.

Multiple Select

Using our checklist, what has 🍇 done well? Choose all that apply!

• Using keywords or information from question to start answer.

• Using supporting details that make sense and connect to the question/topic.

• Using connecting words to help the writing flow.

• Organizing the supporting details in a way that makes sense.

• Including an opening and a closing that relates to the topic.

Poll

How confident do you feel about writing a great opinion paragraph now?

• I've totally got this.

• Pretty good.

• Not so confident.

• I'm still not sure. I need some help to get started!

Now it's your turn to try it! Here's a reminder:

• Keywords from Q to start A.

• Supporting details that make sense!

• Connecting words to help with flow.

• Organize details logically.

• Include an opening and a closing sentence that relates to the topic.