Diagnostic-Opinion Writing

Read the Article then answer the question

A student is writing an opinion essay that supports lengthening the school day. Which topic sentence should she use to introduce her opinion essay?

• I attend school Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3:15 PM.

• Increasing the hours that students go to school would not improve student behavior. 

• I think that extending school hours could help students in several ways.

• Some school districts want to extend school hours, and other school districts do not want to extend school hours.

Reread Paragraphs 6 & 7- What phrase links reasons within the text?

• “lots of it”

• “On the other hand”

• “It forces them”

• “recommends”

A student is writing an essay on why Extended Learning Time is beneficial for students. The student plans to include specific reasons from the text to support his opinion. Which of the following paraphrased facts from the text would best support his opinion that ELT is “a good thing”?

• U.S. teachers already spend more time directly instructing students than other countries.  

• Finland, Singapore, and China maximize instruction during a six-hour day.

• Some ELT time can be used for professional development.

• A struggling school improved their ranking from a Level 4 to a Level 1 school by extending their day.

Determine one direct quote from the text that the student could use in his essay on why Extended Learning Time is beneficial to support his opinion.

What evidence is given in the text to support the opinion that extended learning time is not always beneficial? List two reasons provided in the text.

The school board has increased your school day by thirty minutes. Do you agree or disagree with this decision to increase the school day? Organize your thoughts into a two-paragraph (minimum) opinion essay that includes three reasons or facts from the article to support your opinion. Remember to clearly state your point of view and use linking words to transition between your reasons.

Draw a picture that would describe what the word Opinion Writing means to you.