Opinion Paragraph Warm-Up

Opinion Paragraph Warm-Up

Let's see what you know...

Poll

Before we get started on the lesson, tell me what you prefer to snack on:

• chips

• cookies

• chocolate

• popcorn

• other

Poll

This one's super serious and important: Do you prefer REGULAR M&Ms or PEANUT M&Ms?

• Regular

• Peanut

• ...I'm allergic to peanuts, so...

• They're both gross.

Poll

Let's get started: Did you write an opinion paragraph last year in Grade 8? Or maybe in Grade 7?

• Yes, I remember writing one in Grade 8.

• No, I don't remember writing one in Grade 8.

• I don't remember if we did in Grade 8, but I know we did in Grade 7.

• I have no idea.

Multiple Choice

What do you think the PURPOSE of an opinion paragraph is? In other words...why would someone write about their opinion in paragraph format?

• They like arguing.

• They want to describe a situation for someone else.

• They don't have anyone else to talk to.

• They want to explain the reasons for their opinion.

First: What's an opinion?

• It's something you can argue (it's not a fact).

• It's your own personal view on a subject.

• Example: What's your OPINION on Pop Tarts? Are they a delicious example of culinary genius or are they a disgusting excuse for a food item? (Poll on the next slide)

Poll

Pop-Tarts: Delicious or Disgusting? This is important.

• Delicious example of culinary genius

• Disgusting excuse for a food item

You answered that last poll with...*drum roll*...your OPINION

(on Pop-Tarts)

Fact vs. Opinion

It was an opinion because it can be disputed or argued. What can't be argued is that Pop Tarts were invented in 1964, that they are edible, and that they are sold in Canadian grocery stores. These are facts.

Poll

How are you doing so far? Do you see the difference between a FACT and an OPINION?

• I'm still a little confused.

• I think I've got it.

• Totally get it.

Multiple Choice

Here's where you get to show that you've been paying attention: Find the opinion.

• Summer is typically the hottest of the four seasons.

• Summer is the best of the four seasons.

Multiple Choice

Here's another, more difficult, one: Which one is an opinion?

• All students at Saltfleet are sick of remote learning.

• All students at Saltfleet are doing remote learning in the afternoon.

Poll

We need a topic for the next part, and you get to pick it. What's your preference?

• Dogs

• Christmas

• Baseball

• Video games

Open Ended

The topic is __________. In the space on your screen, write an OPINION about the topic.

Open Ended

Let's try it again: This time the topic is TIMBITS. Write an opinion that you have about TIMBITS. You have two minutes!

Multiple Choice

How many supporting details (REASONS for your opinion) should you aim to include in your opinion paragraph?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Open Ended

Let's go back to the Timbits. If you were assigned to write an opinion paragraph on Timbits and had to explain to your reader why Timbits are the best treat, what's one reason you could use to support that opinion?

Multiple Choice

Do you know what the first sentence of a paragraph is usually called?

• The opinion sentence

• The first sentence

• The point sentence

• The topic sentence

Multiple Choice

Last one: In your first and last sentences, you should include some of the words from the question you were asked.

• True

• False

All of this practice on OPINIONS leads us to the opinion paragraph.

Your goal is to convince your reader that you have a solid opinion (whether they agree or not is up to them). You need to write an opinion paragraph (on a useful piece of technology or an app that you use on a regular basis) and submit to the Dropbox. If you haven't already done so, this is a good time to get started!

Thanks for your participation today!

AND thank you for getting those paragraphs submitted!