Writing Standards: Writing Opinion Pieces with Organized Reasons and Conclusions (CCSS.W.3.1)
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Common Core 3rd Grade ELA › Writing Standards: Writing Opinion Pieces with Organized Reasons and Conclusions (CCSS.W.3.1)
I think our school should have a longer recess. Right now it feels too short, and we barely start playing before the whistle blows. Recess is fun, and I like seeing friends. It would be nice to have more minutes outside. Kids need time to play, and I believe it helps. Sometimes games stop in the middle. A longer recess would be good for students and teachers. That is my opinion, and I hope it happens soon.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, or linking words?
Add: First, a longer recess would help us focus in class because our bodies get energy out. Second, it gives time to finish games, so we return calm and ready to learn.
Add: The cafeteria pizza is sometimes too cheesy, and that is not great.
Add: Recess is super duper amazing!!!
Add: It would just be better, in my opinion.
Explanation
Adds two clear reasons with an organized structure and linking words (first, second, because, so) — W.3.1b–c.
I think our class should have a pet. A pet would be interesting. I like animals, and many classmates do, too. We could take turns helping it. It would make our room feel friendly. I am excited about this idea. I think it would be great, and I want our class to try it. A pet could live in a small tank or cage. It seems like a good plan, and I hope we get one soon.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, or linking words?
Add: Our class pet would be fluffy, fabulous, and totally fun!
Add: One reason to have a class pet is that caring for it teaches responsibility, because we must feed and clean it. Another reason is that we can observe it for science; for example, we could record how it moves and eats.
Add: If we had a pet, our class might become famous on the internet.
Add: Pets are good and helpful in many ways.
Explanation
Adds specific supporting reasons and linking words (because, for example) in an organized way — W.3.1b–c.
In my opinion, students should not have homework on weekends. Weekends are when families spend time together. Sometimes homework takes a long time. Kids need rest after busy school days. I want time to read my own books and play outside. I think we can learn in other ways on weekends. Not doing homework then would be better for students. That is why I think we should change it, but I am not sure how to explain more.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, or linking words?
Add: Homework is boring.
Add: My favorite video game is hard, so I need time to practice.
Add: One reason is that weekends allow family time; therefore, no homework lets kids attend events together. Another reason is rest, since brains need breaks to learn well. In conclusion, weekends should be homework-free.
Add: No homework would be awesome and cool!
Explanation
Adds organized reasons with linking words (therefore, since) and a concluding statement — W.3.1b–d.
I believe our school should have uniforms. Getting dressed would be simpler each morning. Uniforms look neat. Students would not worry about outfits. I think it could help our school feel together. Sometimes clothes distract people. Uniforms might fix that. I like the colors our school uses. This is my opinion, and I hope others think about it. I am not sure what else to say, but I want to share my idea so people can decide.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, or linking words?
Add: Our school mascot would look great next to uniforms.
Add: Uniforms are amazing!!!
Add: Clothes are just not good to think about.
Add: First, uniforms reduce distractions because everyone wears the same thing. Second, they save time in the morning, so students arrive on time. In conclusion, uniforms would help our school focus.
Explanation
Adds an organized list of reasons with linking words and a concluding statement — W.3.1b–d.
I think school should start later. Waking up early is not great. I feel tired sometimes, and it's hard. If we came later, it would be better. Kids like sleep. The morning can be cold and dark. I would enjoy breakfast more and not rush. Starting later just seems like a good plan, and lots of people would probably agree. We could still learn a lot anyway. That is my opinion about starting later for school.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, or linking words?
Add a funny opener to grab attention: "Rise and shine is boring!"
Add a reason about staying up late to play more video games.
Add: "School should start later because many kids are too tired early in the morning; for example, extra sleep helps us focus and remember lessons. Therefore, starting later would help learning."
Add: "Starting later is cool and stuff."
Explanation
Adds a clear supporting reason with for example and therefore linking words (W.3.1b, W.3.1c).
I believe our class should have a pet. A pet would be nice to look at. We could watch it sometimes, and it would be fun. Pets are cool and make people smile. It would sit in a tank or a cage, and that would be fine. I think a class pet is a good idea for our room, and I like the thought of it. That is what I think about having a class pet at school.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, or linking words?
Revise to list reasons with linking words: "First, caring for a class pet teaches responsibility because students must feed and clean it. Also, observing animals can spark science questions and careful note-taking. Therefore, a class pet helps us learn while we have fun."
Add: "My favorite animal is a dragon."
Make sentences longer with fancy adjectives like "marvelous" and "magnificent."
Add: "Class pets are good for reasons and stuff."
Explanation
Adds organized reasons with first/also/therefore that support the opinion (W.3.1a–c).
I think recess should be longer at our school. Recess is fun, and I like playing. More time would be nice for kids. We could run, and it would be good. People would enjoy it a lot. I think longer recess is just better for everyone because it would be longer. We would go outside and come back in. That is my idea about recess time at school and why it should change. Many kids feel tired during class.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, or linking words?
Add: "The playground colors are pretty."
Add more exciting punctuation and bigger words to make it sound fancy.
Add: "It's just the best and stuff."
Add: "Longer recess gives our bodies exercise, which helps us focus in class; for example, after running and stretching, we can sit and listen better. Therefore, our learning improves. In conclusion, we should add ten more minutes to recess."
Explanation
Adds a specific reason with for example and therefore plus a concluding statement (W.3.1b–d).
My opinion is that students should have less homework. Homework takes time, and I do not always want to do it. After school, there are other things to do. It can feel long. Sometimes I finish late and feel tired. I think less homework would be nicer and make kids happier. That is why I think we should have less homework to make it better at school. Kids need time for family and play. We could still learn in class.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, or linking words?
Add: "Pizza is my favorite dinner."
Add organized reasons with linking words: "First, students need time with family and for exercise after school; for example, playing outside keeps us healthy. Also, since teachers teach us many skills in class, we do not need long packets every night. Therefore, giving less homework would help kids rest and learn better."
Change the sentences to all caps to show strong feelings.
Add: "Less homework is good and stuff like that."
Explanation
Adds organized, relevant reasons with linking words (for example, also, therefore) that support the opinion (W.3.1a–c).
I think our homework should be shorter. When I get home, I have papers to do and sometimes I feel tired. I want to play outside and eat dinner. I try to finish fast, but it takes a while. I think shorter homework would be better for kids. It would be nice if it did not take so long, and then I could read a book, too. I am writing about homework because it is part of school, and I have some ideas about it.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, and linking words?
Add fun describing words to show how boring homework is and make the writing sound exciting.
Add clear reasons and linking words: First, shorter homework gives kids time to rest, so they are ready to learn the next day. Also, it lets families eat dinner together. For example, finishing early leaves time to read for fun. Therefore, our homework should be shorter.
Say homework is just better when it's shorter and lots of people agree.
Add a sentence about the playground needing new swings so school will be more fun.
Explanation
Adds organized reasons and linking words (First, Also, For example, Therefore) plus a concluding statement—W.3.1 a–d.
I believe our class should have a pet. A pet would be interesting. I like animals, and other kids do too. We could look at it during the day. I think having a pet would make our class better. Sometimes we are quiet, and sometimes we are not. A pet could sit in a safe place. I am sharing my opinion, but I do not have many reasons yet. I just feel like a class pet would be a nice thing for our room.
Which revision best strengthens the opinion by improving reasons, organization, and linking words?
Add that we need better recess balls and nets so we can play more games.
Use bigger adjectives and sound words to make the pet seem amazing.
Say a pet would help us in many ways and make everything better.
Revise to include: Because a pet teaches responsibility, students can take turns feeding and cleaning it. For example, a schedule helps everyone care for the pet safely. Also, watching an animal closely builds science skills. In conclusion, our class should have a pet.
Explanation
Provides clear, relevant reasons linked with because/for example/also and adds a conclusion—W.3.1 a–d.