TOPIC: Writing Opinions

OUTCOMES:

1) The Arts:

2) Language:

• taking a point of view on a subject and keeping that point of view.
• building an argument that will make sense to (convince) the reader
• using evidence to persuade the reader to agree with an opinion about a subject

3) Math, Science, Technology

4) Personal & Social Studies

• using a variety of social skills: working with others, exercising leadership

RESOURCE MATERIALS:

1. Worksheet: Building Convincing Arguments- Activities

INSTRUCTIONS:

Part A: Introduction

1. Explain to the students that when we write about an opinion we hold:
   
   a) we are usually presenting our viewpoint on a subject
   
   b) we hope to persuade other people to agree with our opinion on that subject.
   
   
2. Then explain to the students that in order to persuade others:
   
   a) we need to build a strong argument to support our case eg modifiers- adjectives, adverbs, clauses, phrases
   
   

   We can use adjectives ("a stormy, ice-cold night") and adverbs ("she skates beautifully") to create the effect that we want to create. We can also use phrases to modify either nouns or verbs ("The newspaper was delivered in the morning."). We can use clauses to modify nouns ("Even though she was tired and very hungry, our dog waited patiently for us to come home"). We can use clauses to modify verbs ("The children danced because the music was so lively")

   
   b) we need to use evidence to convince others to agree with us. eg. valid reasons
   

   If someone states "Reading is good for you," the speaker has stated an opinion. You might be convinced, but then again you might not be convinced. You might be more inclined to agree with the speaker if he or she were to say, "Reading is good for you. When you read, you can go to places you have never been. You can learn about anything that interests you. You can see the world in new ways; and you can not only get to know other people, but you can also understand yourself better."

Part B: Writing Activities

1. Using the worksheet, have students:
   
   a) add modifiers to a series of statements to give them more impact.
   
   b) list three pieces of evidence that might persuade a reader to agree with a series of opinions.
   
   
2. Have students, working in pairs, choose one of the topics above, or pick another topic of their own choice, then write three paragraphs to persuade someone else of their opinion about the topic they have chosen.

COMPLETION TIME:

Approximately one to two 30-40 minute periods.

EVALUATION:

1. Completion of task mark.
   
   
2. Have pairs submit the three paragraphs, on the topic of their choice, for marking

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:

1. Present a case for a particular position on a local, national, or global issue, basing the case on research.