Literacy Test – Writing a Series of Paragraphs Expressing an Opinion OR Writing a Five-Paragraph Essay

Elements of Writing a Series of Paragraphs Supporting an Opinion Introduction 1-3 Body Paragraphs Conclusion

Introduction The introduction must clearly present the opinion you are supporting. This is your thesis. It usually takes the form of a response to the prompted question (Are famous people good role models for teenagers?). A correct response would have either of the following statements as a thesis: Famous people make good role models for teenagers because… OR Famous people do not make good role models for teenagers because…

Introduction (continued) The introduction should have a statement of direction, which lists the reasons you believe your opinion. These reasons become the main points for your body paragraphs. The introduction should be 3-5 sentences in length.

Body Paragraphs The 1-3 body paragraphs: give reasons for your support of the thesis provide specific information that supports your reasoning include examples, statistics, anecdotes (short amusing stories), quotations, or analogies (comparisons) that give more support to your thesis contain a comment that connects the examples, etc. to your reason

Conclusion The conclusion includes the following information: a restatement of your opinion (thesis) a restatement of the reasons you believe your opinion a final thought about the topic to make your reader think more about it

Tips for Writing a Supported Opinion Be sure to restate the question in your own words. Use the same language/phrase as the question to focus your response. Remember that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer, but your opinion must be supported. Make an organizer to brainstorm ideas that support both sides of the issue.

More Tips for Writing a Supported Opinion Take ONE side of the issue only. Stay on topic; do not start on one side of the argument and switch to the other side in the middle. Make sure you have an introduction and a conclusion. Write a minimum of three paragraphs. Fill the space provided as much as possible.

Level R Example Some famous people could actually be good role models for younger people, but there are few good people like that. The response expresses an opinion, with no supporting details.

Level 1 Example No they are not good role models. Rappers say bad words and they get arrested. They are greedy and have too many cars, and they have too much clothes. Famous people are lazy because they have people who cook for them. They have people who drive for them. While this response is related to the prompt and expresses an opinion, there are insufficient supporting details: too few. There is also limited evidence of organization (connection between role models and the examples of rappers, and famous people is not developed).

Level 2 Example Today’s famous people are good role models for young people today. They are kind and donate to many causes They are kind to sick people. They visit them and give them autographs. They pay for them to go to special places. They donate money to people and hospitals for research. They also donate to the poor so that they can buy the things that they need. The response expresses a clear opinion. The supporting details are insufficient and vague (“kind,” “visit them,” “pay for them,” “donate money so they can buy things”). The supporting details are organized as a simple list with no connecting words and no conclusion.

Level 3 Example NO. Most of the famous People In the media are all messed Up. There all getting pragnet at young ages. What Parent wants their child to think it is okay to have a child When most of the people that are watching the famous PeoPle are children them selfs and are nowhere near ready for having a baby. they dont have enough life evperience. A second reason Why people should not look up to famous people is because Just about all of them are doing some sort of Drug to ease other pains they might have in there lifes. If you use those types of People and famous people as a role model you will start to see alot of people getting sick and hurt do to they think it cool to do drugs because People in the media are using it and they dont really see what happens when you get involved in drugs. thirdly lots of famous People carry guns and knifes as protection. alot of People dont understand that they have those weapons as proportye to protect them selfs. People that look up to them Just see weapons and dont understand that there very dangerous. They Just think its cool to own a gun or knife. In conclution I believe that it is not a great Idea to look at famous people as good role models because most of them or alot of them are having badies at young ages, are getting into drugs and have weapons.

Level 4 Example continued The above response develops a clear and consistent opinion. Sufficient supporting details, some are general (“people,” “people in the media”) and some are specific (“are children them selfs,” “guns and knifes as protection”). Organization is mechanical (“A second reason,”” thirdly,” in conclution”). The fact that the introduction is a single word (“NO”) is a lapse that does not distract from the overall communication. Conclusion reinforces the main idea.

Writing Guide Organizer Introduction (3-5 sentences) Write a general sentence on the topic Write a sentence which clearly states your opinion on the topic (your thesis) Refer briefly to one or two reasons that support your opinion 1st Support Paragraph (3-5 sentences) Write a topic sentence which refers to your first support point Explain your topic sentence more fully by giving details (examples, quotes, definitions, etc)

Writing Guide Organizer (continued) 2nd Support Paragraph (3-5 sentences) Write a topic sentence which refers to your second support point Explain your topic sentence more fully by giving details (examples, quotes, definitions, etc) Conclusion State your opinion again Refer briefly to your support point(s) Concluding sentence that summarizes your points