Minds On
Favourite activity
What is your favourite activity?
Let’s learn about some other people’s favourite activities by exploring the following videos about breakdancing and trampolining.
Breakdancing
Trampolining
Sharing opinions
When we express what we think or how we feel about something, that is called sharing an opinion. For example, sharing your favourite thing to do is an opinion.
An opinion is the way a person thinks or feels about something.
To share an opinion is to express how you think or feel about something.
Sometimes, you may not agree with someone else’s opinion. Sometimes someone may not agree with your opinion. It is important to have reasons for your opinion. It is important to be respectful of everyone’s opinions, even when the opinion is different from yours. Isn’t it wonderful that there are so many diverse opinions in our classroom and in our world?
Action
Persuasive writing
When we write about our opinions, we call that persuasive writing.
The following are steps to writing persuasive text:
- opening – opinion statement
- reason #1
- reason #2
- reason #3
- closing – opinion statement restated
The writing process
In this learning activity, we are going to express our opinions through persuasive writing. As we write, we follow the writing process.
Before going through the steps in the writing process, brainstorm ideas for the writing process with your teacher and peers.
Prewriting: brainstorm
Student Success
My favourite thing
We are going to write about our favourite thing to do. Think of three reasons why you have chosen your favourite activity. Complete the Opinion Writing Brainstorm in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document to record your ideas. Share those reasons with a partner.
Press the Activity button to access the Opinion Writing Brainstorm.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)As an example, let’s say our favourite activity is to go swimming as we go through the writing process. Examine the following example of how the organizer was completed.
The opinion statement is “My favourite activity is swimming.” The reasons given were: 1) great exercise; 2) good way to cool off; and 3) fun with friends.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Drafting: writing plan and draft
A writing plan helps to make sure you know who you are writing for, what you are writing about, why you are writing and what you are writing.
Q: Who will read my writing?
A: My friends and teacher
Q: What am I writing about?
A: An event in our class
Q: Why am I trying to do with my writing?
A: To entertain
Q: How will I get my ideas out?
A: Sentences
Sentence starters
All opinion writing starts with a sentence that expresses your opinion. It ends with a sentence to remind the person of your opinion. Here are some sentence starters to use in your opinion writing.
- I think…
- I feel…
- I believe…
- I don’t like…
- My favourite…
- The best…
Feeling words
Feeling words are very important to show how strong you feel about something. When you are sharing your opinion, try using one of these feeling words in your writing.
Persuasive words
- best
- amazing
- definitely
- super
- awesome
- favourite
- must
- should
- know
- always
- sensational
- certain
- absolute
- totally
- have to
- fact
- proven
Through brainstorming and what we know about opinion words, next we write the draft. Use the Opinion Organizer in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document to write your draft.
Examine the following example of how the organizer was completed.
Consolidation
Your turn!
It is your turn to share your opinion. What is your favourite activity? As you write, we follow the writing process.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
Complete the Opinion Writing Brainstorm in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document to record your reasons.
Press the Activity button to access the Opinion Writing Brainstorm.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Always use your notebook or an organizer, such as the one provided, to plan out the writing.
Revise and edit
When revising work you want to:
- read your work out loud
- find other words you might want to use to show your opinion and strong feelings
- make other changes so the writing is just right
- stay on one topic
Persuasive Writing Checklist
I have:
Editing: focus on conventions
Writing Checklist
Student Success
Revise and edit
If possible, share your work with a partner. Read your work out loud. What did you like? What do you still wonder about?
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Publishing: your turn to share your work!
It is time to share your work! Like Keaton and Emari, share your opinion with the class through a video, script, or talking about your favourite activity. Use your writing as the script. Be creative!
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.