Opinion writing in the
primary grades.
Felicia Lewis
SWP- Summer 2013
Chapman Elementary
July 25, 2013
“People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the
world is also a confession of character.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
What are ways we come into contact with
opinions on a daily basis ?
What does the research say?
“ Argument writing is a big deal in the CCSS. If you had a
hunch that this was so from its place as number one on the
list of writing types.”
“ While all three types are important, the standards put
emphasis on the students ability to write sound arguments,
as this ability is critical to college and career readiness.”
~Calkins and Lehman
Pathways to the Common Core
Why Persuasive Writing in Primary Grades
“ We teach persuasive writing so children come to know the real- world power of
writing. The persuasive writing genre opens opportunities for writers to work on
several qualities of good writing.”
Persuasive Writing requires writers to:
 Write with purpose for a selected audience
 Decide upon and then elaborate on the most important part of their message
 Write and edit for readers, making sure the text is easy to read
~Sarah Picard Taylor- Teaching Persuasive Writing
My Roadblock
How to teach opinion writing using rigorous forms
and to prepare them for the next grade level.
How to go beyond the traditional forms I have used in
the past? (e.g. My favorite book is… My favorite part
was… I like…)
What are some helpful strategies?
What mentor texts do I use to teach this effectively
and how do I use them?
Looking across the curriculum
W.K.1- Use a combination
of drawing, dictating, and
writing to compose opinion
pieces in which they tell a
reader the topic or name of
the book they are writing
about and state an opinion
or preference about the
book ( e.g. My favorite
book is…)
W1.1- 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 of closure.
W.1.2- Write opinion pieces
in which they introduce the
topic or book they are
writing about, state an
opinion, supply reasons
that support the opinion,
using linking words (e.g.,
because, and, also) to
connect opinion and
reasons, and provide a
concluding statement or
section.
Where do I begin?
 The students have to understand the difference in facts and opinions. Using mentor texts
such as literary nonfiction and biographies are models of texts with numerous examples.
Identifying facts and opinions in text
 Facts
 Opinions
Agree or Disagree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPCoe-6RRks
 When writing and reading opinions students must understand that
because it is an opinion, there is no wrong or right answer. Also, you
can agree or disagree with someone else’s opinion. Most importantly
the students will have to include reasons and examples to support their
opinion.
Duck! Rabbit! and I Don’t Want to Be a Pea are examples of texts to use
to show differences in opinions.
Vocabulary
Stating an Opinion
Supporting an
Opinion
Concluding an
opinion
•
•
•
•
•
• Because
• When
• The reason
•
•
•
•
I think
I feel
My favorite part
I like
In my opinion
I feel
I would recommend
I think
I suggest
OREO Model- Graphic Organizer
 Opinion- State your opinion
 Reasons- Give reasons to support your opinion
 Examples- Give examples that support your opinion
 Opinion- Restate your opinion
http://www.haikudeck.com/p/6UpD64TQYn
Example
Using the story Red is Best the students will create a
Haiku Deck of what they feel is best.
http://www.haikudeck.com/p/6UpD64TQYn
http://www.haikudeck.com/p/6UpD64TQYn
Book Reviews
Book reviews are a way to continue incorporating
opinion writing throughout the year.
http://www.kidsfirst.org/
Teaching Opinion Writing Across The Curriculum
Sample for first graders
Social Studies
 Why is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. important enough to have his own
holiday?
 Do you agree with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s approach to civil rights?
 What was Benjamin Franklin’s best invention or discovery?
Science
 What do you believe is the most powerful force?
 In your opinion, what part of a plant is the most essential to the life of a
plant?
Math
 After a graphing activity, have students write an opinion piece?
Mini Lesson Ideas
Persuasive Letters
Persuasive Reviews
• Providing reasons in order to
persuade
• Using mini-stories as reasons
• Planning and persuading
• Using transitional phrases
• Revising
• Imagining audiences
• Using a word wall
•
•
•
•
•
•
Writing catchy leads
Writing strong endings
Learning from mentor texts
Revising with a checklist
Using comparisons to persuade
Editing
Audience
Persuade your audience not yourself.
Make sure the text you offer to the reader is tailored to their
needs.
Would you sell this expensive
two seater that you love
to a family of 4?
~Gerald Graff
They Say, I Say
Key Points In Opinion Writing
 Support Evidence- Citing evidence makes your writing more credible
 Counterarguments- Show that you have considered arguments against your
claim.
 Tone- Present your argument maturely. Avoid using the words always and
never.
 Planning- If the work is well planned the focus can be on language rather than
content.
 Editing- Check for content and confirm that the ideas are relevant and
explained in enough detail for the reader to understand.
 Practice- By practicing students will develop skills that are useful in numerous
academic and professional contents.
~ Khyati Kapai
Express Yourself! Writing Persuasive Essays
Closing Thoughts
Questions
Resources
Calkins, Lucy, Mary Ehrenworth, and Christopher Lehman. Pathways to the Common
Core, Accelerating Achievement. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. 2012. Print
Common Core State Standards. Common Core State Standards Initiative. n.d. Web. 21,
June, 2013.
www.corestandards.org
Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. “They Say, I Say”, The Moves that Matter in
Persuasive Writing. New York. Norton, W.W & Company. 2007. iPad eBook file.
Kapai, Khytai. Express Yourself! Writing Persuasive Essays: Singapore. Trafford . 2013.
iPad eBook file
Ray, Katie Wood. Study Driven: Portsmouth, NH. Heinemann. 2006. Print
Taylor, Picard Sarah. A Quick Guide to Teaching Persuasive Writing: Portsmouth, NH.
Heinemann. 2006. Print