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Writing an Opinion Essay

  • Grade 4
  • English Language Arts
  • W.4.1
  • Writing
  • Free lesson

Aligned to W.4.1 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

What this lesson teaches

State a clear opinion, give reasons backed by facts or examples, and organize them into paragraphs with linking words (for example, also, because). End by restating your opinion.

Worked examples

Example 1

Opinion: 'Schools should have longer recess.' Reasons: students focus better after activity; recess builds social skills. Each reason becomes a paragraph with an example.

Example 2

Opinion: 'Students should learn a second language early.' Reasons: young brains pick up accents easily; it opens jobs later. Each becomes its own paragraph.

Example 3

Answer the other side once. 'Some say there is no time — but 15 minutes a day is less than a recess' makes your essay much harder to dismiss.

Practice questions

  1. Write an opinion sentence about a topic you care about.
  2. Give two reasons with one example each.
  3. Add linking words to connect your reasons.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

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En español

Redacción de un Ensayo de Opinión

Expresa una opinión clara, da razones respaldadas por datos o ejemplos y organízalas en párrafos con palabras de enlace (por ejemplo, además, porque). Termina reafirmando tu opinión.

Ejemplo 1: Opinión: 'Las escuelas deberían tener un recreo más largo.' Razones: los estudiantes se concentran mejor después de hacer actividad física; el recreo desarrolla habilidades sociales. Cada razón se convierte en un párrafo con un ejemplo.

Ejemplo 2: Opinión: 'Los estudiantes deberían aprender un segundo idioma desde temprano.' Razones: los cerebros jóvenes captan los acentos fácilmente; abre empleos después. Cada una es su propio párrafo.

Ejemplo 3: Responde una vez al otro lado. 'Algunos dicen que no hay tiempo — pero 15 minutos al día es menos que un recreo' hace tu ensayo mucho más difícil de descartar.

More Writing lessons

Informative, Narrative & Research WritingW.4.2Writing a StoryW.4.3Clear and Organized WritingW.4.4Planning and RevisingW.4.5Writing with TechnologyW.4.6Short Research ProjectsW.4.7

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