opinion paragraph writing - mr. tyler's lessons...opinion paragraph writing author crcowtan...

Expressing Opinions

A thought or belief about

something or someone

Take a stand on a topic

Share an opinion

Choose to either agree or disagree

Parts

A topic Sentence

Reasons and

supporting details

A concluding

sentence

Purpose

States your opinion on

a topic

Examples and

evidence that support

your opinion

Summarizes your

main points and

connects all

information for reader

How to write it

I agree / disagree that ...(subject) + (verb)

I agree / disagree with ... for...reasons

I am for / against the idea that ...(subject) +

(verb)

There are .... reasons why .... ...(subject) +

(verb)...

I believe, feel, think that...

I am convinced, certain that...

In my opinion, point of view...

Simple: I agree that lotteries should be

banned.

More complex: I agree that lotteries

should be banned because lotteries

create addictions.

More sophisticated: In my point of view,

lotteries should not be banned because

they provide harmless, affordable

entertainment for adults.

The first (second, third) reason is...

Another reason is...

Firstly, secondly, thirdly...

More appropriate to grade 12 level:

Moreover, furthermore, in addition, as well,

I also believe, it seems that, accordingly

Simple: The first reason is that some people

spend all their money on lotteries.

More complex: It seems that many cities

have big problems with lottery addiction.

More Impactful: According to Stats

Canada, more people manage their lottery

playing than become addicted.

In conclusion... In summary... To sum up,... To conclude... In short,... In brief,... Overall,... Therefore,... Or something more clever and unique that

applies to your entire paragraph...

Simple: Overall, lottery addiction is a big

problem and should not be allowed.

More complex: Therefore, governments should

find alternative ways to make money and not

promote an activity that causes harm.

More sophisticated: Rather than roll the dice

when it comes to the financial well-being of

families, governments should ban lotteries and

promote entertainment that creates less risk.

Where to find supporting information

1.Your brain

2. Authorities

•Lotteries are not a

good way to make

money.

•Lotteries are a waste

of time.

•Lotteries can lead to

addiction.

•Lotteries are an outlet

for poor judgement.

Waste of money...less money to buy

things...spending money that should be

used for basic needs (food)...could lead

to neglect of child needs...could lead to

desperate situations...could lead to

crime...

or depression...

or suicide...

Every time we buy a

lottery ticket, we have

less money to buy

things we need such

as food or medicine.

When a person

buys a lottery ticket,

but does not win,

that person may

want to buy more

tickets and this

pattern could lead

to addiction.

Winning the lottery

depends on luck,

not skills, so it is

not a good way to

make money or

improve a financial

situation.

George Loewenstein, a neuroeconomist at Carnegie

Mellon University, found that the poor spend a larger

percentage of their income on lottery tickets than

people with higher income.

Statistics show that friends and

family of lottery winners will see

the winner as one big cash cow,

and create problems in the

future.

Some economists believe the lottery is

a tax on the mathematically

challenged—those who cannot

calculate or understand the odds.

Share your opinion

Parts

A topic Sentence

Reasons and

supporting details

A concluding

sentence