Writing Opinion Pieces | Varsity Tutors

Section 1

Why Do We Share Our Opinions?

People have been sharing what they think for a very, very long time! When you tell a friend, "I love this game!" or "That book was the best!" you are sharing an opinion. An opinion is what you think or feel about something. Not everyone has to agree with you, and that is okay!

Writing your opinion down is special. When you write it, other people can read it. They can think about your reasons. They might even change their mind! Let's look at how people have been sharing opinions over the years.

Long, Long Ago

People told stories around campfires. They shared what they liked and did not like by talking to each other.

Ancient Times

People started writing things down on paper and stone. They wrote letters to share ideas and opinions.

About 200 Years Ago

Newspapers were everywhere! People wrote opinion pieces called "editorials" to tell readers what they thought.

Today

Kids like you learn to write opinion pieces in school! You can share what you think about books, food, games, and so much more.

Here is the big question this lesson will answer: How do you write an opinion piece that makes people really listen to what you think? You need three things: say what you are writing about, tell your opinion, and give reasons why you feel that way. Let's learn how!

Section 2

The 3 Parts of an Opinion Piece

Every good opinion piece has three important parts. Think of them like building blocks. You need all three to make your writing strong!

Introduce Your Topic

Tell the reader what you are writing about. Is it a book? A food? A place? Start by naming it so your reader knows what's coming.

State Your Opinion

Tell the reader what you think. Do you like it? Love it? Think it's the best? Use a clear sentence so everyone knows your opinion.

Give Your Reasons

Tell the reader why you feel that way. Give at least one or two reasons. Reasons help people understand your thinking.

Wrap It Up

End by saying your opinion one more time or giving a closing thought. This helps the reader remember what you said.

✦ Key Takeaway

Think of an opinion piece like a sandwich! The topic is the top piece of bread — it tells you what's inside. Your opinion is the yummy filling — it's the main part! Your reasons are the toppings that make it taste even better. And the ending is the bottom piece of bread that holds it all together. You need all the pieces to make a great sandwich — and a great opinion piece!

Section 3

See How It All Fits Together

Let's look at a picture that shows how an opinion piece is built. Each part has a special job, and they all work together!

Look at the picture above. The topic comes first — it tells the reader you are writing about a book called Frog and Toad Are Friends. Then your opinion says what you think: "I think it is the best book ever!" Next, your reasons explain why you think that. Finally, the ending wraps everything up so the reader remembers your idea.

Section 4

How to Write Each Part

Now let's learn how to write each part. We will go step by step so you feel ready to try it on your own!

Part 1: Introduce Your Topic

Start by telling the reader what you are writing about. You can name a book, a food, a place, an animal, or anything! Here are some easy ways to start:

💡 STARTER SENTENCES

"I just read the book ___." "My favorite food is ___." "I want to tell you about ___." "Have you ever been to ___?"

Part 2: State Your Opinion

Now tell the reader what you think! Your opinion should be one clear sentence. Use words like I think, I believe, I feel, or In my opinion.

💡 OPINION SENTENCES

"I think pizza is the best food." "I believe dogs make the best pets." "In my opinion, recess should be longer."

Part 3: Give Your Reasons

This is the part where you say why you feel that way. Try to give at least two reasons. You can use linking words like because, first, also, and another reason to help your writing flow.

💡 REASON SENTENCES

"First, pizza tastes cheesy and warm." "Also, you can pick your own toppings." "Another reason is that pizza is fun to eat with friends."

Part 4: Wrap It Up

End your writing by saying your opinion again or giving a closing thought. This is like putting a bow on a present!

💡 ENDING SENTENCES

"That is why I think pizza is the best food!" "I hope you will try it too!" "Everyone should agree that dogs are the best pets."

Follow the writing path above every time you write an opinion piece. First, pick your topic. Next, say your opinion. Then, give your reasons. Last, wrap it up. That's it!

Section 5

Special Words That Help You Write Opinions

Some words are super helpful when you write opinion pieces. They are like tools in a toolbox! Let's learn which words help with each part of your writing.

What You Need	Helpful Words	Example
Stating your opinion	I think, I believe, I feel, In my opinion, The best, My favorite	"I think cats are the best pets."
Giving your first reason	First, One reason, Because, For example	"First, cats are soft and cuddly."
Adding more reasons	Also, Another reason, Next, And, Plus	"Also, cats purr when they are happy."
Ending your piece	That is why, For all these reasons, I hope, Everyone should	"That is why cats make the best pets!"

How Strong Is Your Opinion?

"It's okay" 🤷

"I like it" 😊

"I love it!" 🌟

"It's okay" 🤷"I love it!" 🌟

Your opinion can be gentle or strong. Saying "I think it is okay" is gentle. Saying "I think it is the best in the whole world!" is very strong. Both are fine! Just make sure you give reasons to back up what you say.

✦ Key Takeaway

Linking words like first, also, and that is why are like glue. They stick your ideas together so your writing is smooth and easy to read. Without them, your sentences just sit next to each other. With them, your sentences hold hands!

Section 6

Let's Write One Together!

Now let's write a whole opinion piece, step by step. We will write about a favorite season. Watch how all the parts fit together!

Writing an Opinion Piece About Summer

Step 1 — Pick a TopicLet's write about seasons. I will pick summer as my topic.

Step 2 — Introduce the TopicI need to tell the reader what I am writing about. Here is my first sentence:

"There are four seasons, but I want to tell you about summer."

Step 3 — State My OpinionNow I tell the reader what I think about summer:

"I think summer is the best season of all!"

Step 4 — Give My ReasonsTime to tell why I think summer is the best. I will give two reasons:

"First, you can swim in the pool and play outside all day. Also, there is no school, so you can stay up late and read books."

Step 5 — Wrap It UpI will end by saying my opinion one more time in a fun way:

"That is why I believe summer is the greatest season. I wish it could be summer all year long!"

🌟 The Finished PieceThere are four seasons, but I want to tell you about summer. I think summer is the best season of all! First, you can swim in the pool and play outside all day. Also, there is no school, so you can stay up late and read books. That is why I believe summer is the greatest season. I wish it could be summer all year long!

See how every part is there? We said what the topic is (summer). We gave our opinion ("the best season"). We gave reasons (swimming, no school). And we wrapped it up with a fun ending. Great job!

Section 7

Good Writing vs. Even Better Writing

Let's see the difference between an opinion piece that is okay and one that is great. Both share an opinion, but one does a much better job!

Part	Okay Version 🤔	Great Version 🌟
Topic	"I like dogs."	"I want to tell you why I think dogs are the best pets in the world."
Opinion	"Dogs are good."	"I believe dogs are the best pets you can have!"
Reasons	"Because they are nice."	"First, dogs are loyal and always happy to see you. Also, they love to play fetch and go on walks."
Ending	"Dogs are cool."	"That is why everyone should think about getting a dog. They will be your best friend!"

See the difference? The great version has more details and uses linking words. It gives clear reasons and has a strong ending. The okay version is too short and does not explain why.

✦ Key Takeaway

Think of it like coloring a picture. The "okay" version uses just one crayon. The "great" version uses many colors and fills in all the spaces. More details and reasons make your writing colorful and interesting. Your reader will think, "Wow, this writer really thought about this!"

Section 8

What's Next? Growing as a Writer!

You are learning something really important right now! Writing your opinion with reasons is a skill you will use for the rest of your life. As you get bigger, your opinion writing will grow too.

What You Do Now (2nd Grade)	What You'll Do Later (Bigger Kids)
Give 1–2 reasons	Give 3 or more reasons with lots of detail
Use words like "first" and "also"	Use fancier words like "furthermore" and "in addition"
Write about books and things you like	Write about big ideas like "should kids have homework?"
Tell what you think	Also explain why someone might disagree — and why you still think you are right!

Right now, you are building the base. It is like learning to ride a bike with training wheels. Soon you will take those wheels off and zoom! Every great writer started right where you are now. Keep practicing!

Section 9

Practice Time! ✏️

Let's see what you have learned! Try each question. When you are ready, click the button to see the answer.

PROBLEM 1 — WHAT IS AN OPINION?

Which sentence is an opinion? A) "The sky is blue." B) "I think chocolate ice cream is the best flavor." C) "There are seven days in a week."

PROBLEM 2 — FIND THE PARTS

Read this short opinion piece. Can you find the topic, the opinion, and the reason? "I read the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. I think it is a really fun book. First, the mouse is so silly because he always wants more things."

PROBLEM 3 — ADD A REASON

This opinion piece is missing a reason. Can you think of one? "I think the park is the best place to go on weekends. First, there are swings and slides to play on. Also, _______________. That is why the park is my favorite place!"

PROBLEM 4 — FIX THIS PIECE

This opinion piece is missing some parts. What is wrong with it? What would you add? "Apples are good. I like them."

PROBLEM 5 — WRITE YOUR OWN!

Now it is YOUR turn! Write a short opinion piece about your favorite animal. Remember to include all four parts: ✅ Introduce your topic ✅ State your opinion ✅ Give at least one reason ✅ Wrap it up (Try writing it on a piece of paper first, then check the answer to see an example!)

Summary

Let's Remember What We Learned!

Today you learned how to write an opinion piece! Every opinion piece has four important parts. First, you introduce your topic — tell the reader what you are writing about, like a book, a food, or a place. Next, you state your opinion using words like "I think," "I believe," or "my favorite." Then you give reasons that explain why you feel that way, using linking words like "first," "also," and "another reason." Finally, you wrap it up with a closing sentence that reminds the reader of your opinion.

Remember: an opinion is what you think. Not everyone has to agree, and that is okay! What makes your writing strong is giving good reasons. The more you practice, the better your opinion writing will get. You are already on your way to being an amazing writer! ✨