Write Opinion Pieces With Supporting Reasons
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2nd Grade Writing › Write Opinion Pieces With Supporting Reasons
When writing an opinion, what should the first sentence do?
Introduce the topic and tell your opinion
List reasons before you say what you think
Tell a story about what happened yesterday
Explanation
We are learning about opening sentences. The first sentence tells your topic and opinion. It says what you think right away. This helps readers understand.
Read: I think the slide is the best playground equipment. Which reason supports this opinion?
My shirt is blue today
The slide is fun and I can go fast
The playground is near the school
Explanation
We are matching reasons to opinions. Good reasons explain why you think something. 'The slide is fun and fast' tells why it's best. The other choices don't support the opinion.
Read the opinion piece: My favorite lunch is pizza. It tastes cheesy and good. I can eat it at parties too. What should be added at the end?
Only facts from an encyclopedia
A conclusion that restates the opinion
More characters and a setting
Explanation
We are learning about endings. Opinion pieces need a conclusion sentence. The conclusion restates your opinion at the end. It wraps up your writing.
When writing an opinion, why do we give reasons?
To list random facts that do not match
To start with “Once upon a time”
To tell why we think that opinion
Explanation
We need to know why we give reasons. Reasons explain why we think our opinion. They help others understand our thinking.
Look at the opinion piece: I think summer is the best season. It is warm. I can swim. I have more time to play. What is missing?
A title with the author’s name
Linking words like first, also, and because
A scary problem in the middle
Explanation
We are looking for missing parts. Opinion writing needs linking words. Words like 'first' and 'also' connect ideas. This piece has no linking words.
Read: I think recess should be longer because we need exercise. Which word is a linking word?
longer
because
recess
Explanation
We are finding linking words. Linking words connect ideas together. 'Because' links the opinion to the reason. It shows why you think that.
Read: I think reading is the best hobby. Also, it helps me learn new words. Which sentence is the opinion?
Also, it helps me learn new words.
New words are in books.
I think reading is the best hobby.
Explanation
We are finding the opinion sentence. The opinion tells what you think. 'I think reading is the best hobby' states the opinion. The other sentence gives a reason.
When writing an opinion, why do we give reasons?
To mix up the order of the sentences
To make the writing rhyme
To tell why you think that opinion
Explanation
We are learning why reasons matter. Reasons support your opinion. They help readers understand your thinking. Without reasons, people won't know why.
Read: I think cats are great pets. First, they are soft. Second, they purr. Also, they sleep a lot. What part are the reasons?
I think cats are great pets.
The title at the top of the page
First, they are soft. Second, they purr. Also, they sleep a lot.
Explanation
We are finding the reasons section. Reasons tell why you think something. The three sentences with 'First,' 'Second,' and 'Also' are reasons. They support why cats are great.
Read: First I like winter because of snow. Winter is the best season. Last, that is my opinion. What should be fixed?
Put the opinion first, then reasons, then conclusion
Remove all linking words like first and last
Add talking animals and a magic ending
Explanation
We are learning about order. Opinion pieces have a special order. First comes opinion, then reasons, then conclusion. This piece is mixed up.