Literacy Test Preparation - Opinion Piece
What are opinion-based questions?
Some questions have one definite answer, but some questions don’t.
Opinion-based questions can have many answers because they are usually
based on personal feelings.
When explaining your opinion, it’s best to have relevant and specific
reasons to back it up. This way, your opinion cannot be wrong.
Identify each question that requires one definite answer with an “F” for fact.
Identify each question that requires an opinion with an “O” for opinion.
1. Do teenagers really need cell phones? _____
2. Should high schools require students to wear uniforms? _____
3. When did Columbus “sail the ocean blue”? _____
4. Should junk food be banned from high school cafeterias? _____
5. Should people be allowed to own pets? _____
6. Should teenagers be allowed to have part-time jobs? _____
7. How many donuts make a dozen? _____
8. Should the school year be twelve months long? ___
9. How many planets are in our solar system? _____
10. Should the legal driving age be increased to eighteen? _____
For ONE of the questions that require an opinion, state your opinion, and list
three valid, relevant reasons for it.
Opinion - _______________________________________________________
Reason #1 - _____________________________________________________
Reason #2 - _____________________________________________________
Reason #3 - _____________________________________________________
Now, use the following format to clearly state your opinion and your three
reasons for it.
Paragraph #1 - The Introduction
In a complete paragraph, state your clear opinion and your three
specific reasons. Use transitions to link these sentences together. With a
concluding statement, this paragraph should be no less than five sentences.
Paragraph #2 - The First Reason for Your Opinion
In a complete paragraph, state the first reason for your opinion. Use
specific examples from your own life experience to support this point. If you
know of any facts and statistics, then you can use these, too. Don’t forget
to use transitions. With a concluding statement, this paragraph should be no
less than five sentences.
Paragraph #3 - The Second Reason for Your Opinion
In a complete paragraph, state the second reason for your opinion.
Just like in your second paragraph, use specific examples from your own life
to back up your point. Include transitions and a concluding statement. You’ve
done well if you’ve written at least five sentences.
Paragraph #4 - The Third Reason for Your Opinion
Explain the third reason for your opinion in a complete paragraph. Do
everything you did in the previous two paragraphs.
Paragraph #5 - The Conclusion
In a different way, restate your opinion and your three reasons for it.
Of course, use transitions to link these ideas, and be sure to include a
concluding statement.
Practice Opinion Piece
Task
Write a series of paragraphs (a minimum of three) expressing an
opinion on the topic below. Develop your main idea with
supporting details (proof, facts, examples, etc.).
Purpose &
Audience
an adult who is interested in your opinion
Topic
Do teenagers place too much importance on what they wear?
Length
The lined space provided for your written work indicates the
Approximate length of the writing expected.
Rough Notes - The space below is for you to organize your ideas. It will not
be marked.
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Opinion Piece Rubric – Translated
10 – Only one paragraph and/or no clear or consistent opinion;
- An opinion with no evidence/support;
- No transitions/organization.
20 – Only two paragraphs and/or no clear or consistent opinion;
- An opinion with limited evidence/support (usually just one
reason);
- No transitions/organization.
30 – Three paragraphs expressing a somewhat clear and consistent
opinion;
- The support is vague, as no specific examples are offered as
evidence/support;
- Few transitions/weak organization.
40 – At least three paragraphs expressing a clear and consistent
opinion.
- Some of the support is specific, and there is evidence of thoughtful
organization (i.e., transitions between sentences and/or paragraphs).
50 - Four or five complete paragraphs expressing a clear and consistent
opinion;
- All of the support is specific, and there is a thoughtful organization
of ideas (i.e., transitions between sentences and paragraphs).
60 – A five-body paragraph essay with the opinion expressed as a thesis
and with topic sentences serving as specific support that will then be
developed as body paragraphs;
- A clear and consistent opinion is developed and thoughtfully
supported.
Transitions and Sentence Starters
To Add Information
- Besides
- Furthermore, …
- In addition, …
- Additionally…
- Indeed …
- In fact, …
- Secondly, Thirdly, etc.
To State an Effect/
Result
- Accordingly, …
- Consequently, …
- Hence, …
- Therefore, …
- Thus, …
To State a Time
Sequence or Time
Period
- Before…
- Currently, …
- Meanwhile, …
- Eventually, …
- Initially, …
- Lastly, …
- Simultaneously, …
- Next, …
- Immediately, …
To Make an Example
- For example, …
- For instance, …
- Particularly, …
- Specifically, …
- To demonstrate …
- To illustrate …
To State a Purpose/
Reason Why
- In order to …
- With this in mind, …
- In order to …
- With this being
considered, …
To Summarize
- Briefly, …
- In brief, …
- To put it briefly, …
- Overall, …
- To summarize, …
To Give a
Cause/Reason
- Because of this, …
- Due to these facts, …
- For that reason,
- Since…
To Compare or
Contrast
- Although …
- However, …
- In comparison, …
- In contrast to …
- Likewise …
- Nevertheless, …
- On the other hand, …
- Similarly, …
To Conclude
- Given these facts, …
- Hence, …
- In conclusion, …
- Therefore, …
- To conclude, …
- For these reasons, …