Opinion writing can be a lot of fun—everyone loves a chance to share their point of view! But there’s more to this type of writing than simply stating what you believe. You need reasons and evidence to support your view. Our free opinion writing graphic organizer guides students through the process.
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Opinion Writing Graphic Organizer Printables
Here’s what’s included in our worksheet set:
10 Interesting Opinion Writing Prompts for Kids
Give students practice with opinion writing with these prompts—they’re perfect for elementary students. Plus, find more than 100 additional topics for all ages here!
- What’s the best meal of the day: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
- Should homework be required, optional, or not given at all?
- What animal makes the best pet?
- Would you rather live at the bottom of the ocean or on the moon?
- Should kids be allowed to watch TV or play video games on school nights?
- Is a hot dog a sandwich?
- Are clowns scary or funny?
- Where should your class go on their next field trip?
- Is it ever OK to eat dessert first?
- Should kids get to decide their own bedtime?
Opinion Writing FAQs
What is opinion writing?
In opinion writing, the author states their personal opinion clearly. They back it with several reasons and give supporting facts or evidence to give strength to their claim. This type of writing usually starts with a topic sentence stating the opinion, followed by several paragraphs each devoted to one of the supporting reasons. It finishes with a conclusion that restates the opinions and reasons. Examples of opinion writing include letters to the editor, reviews of books or movies, editorials, or opinion pieces.
What’s the difference between opinion writing and persuasive writing?
Put simply, in opinion writing, you share what you think. In persuasive writing, you try to convince the reader to agree with you or take action of some kind.
Does opinion writing require evidence?
Yes, good opinion writing should include some evidence to support the author’s point of view. However, in this type of writing, the author doesn’t necessarily need to provide detailed facts and statistics. They may rely more on personal experiences, anecdotes, and quotes from others who agree with them. To make an opinion piece stronger, encourage students to include at least some research-based evidence from reliable sources—try for one simple statistic or reliable fact per supporting reason.
Should opinion writing address opposing viewpoints?
While opinion writing can address opposing points of view, it’s not required. Instead, encourage students to focus on strengthening their own arguments. As they move on to persuasive writing, they will learn to acknowledge and rebut other points of view. Find more information on persuasive writing here, along with a free graphic organizer for students.
What topics are best for opinion writing?
When choosing topics for students, select issues or questions they’ll be likely to have a strong opinion on. This makes it easier for them to state their point of view and come up with supporting reasons and evidence. Try these topics and prompts to get started:
Be sure to grab your free opinion writing graphic organizer!
Just fill in the form on this page to download your free printables. They’re the perfect way to help students craft their own opinion letters or essays!
Plus, check out these Real-World Persuasive Writing Examples (Essays, Speeches, Ads, and More)!
