Opinion Writing — Writing Pack

British & IGCSE › Checkpoint 6 English (Cambridge Primary 0058)

Opinion writing gives your point of view on a topic and supports it with reasons, examples and evidence. Its aim is to make the reader understand and agree with what you think. An opinion task could ask for an article, a letter, an email, an essay or a speech. The format named in the task changes how you open and lay out your writing, but the thinking is the same.

1. What is opinion writing?

How your writing is marked (25 marks)

2. Features of opinion writing

3. How to structure opinion writing

An essay gives the opinion directly in the first paragraph (thesis statement). An article often starts in a more interesting way, with a short story, a fact or a question, and then gives the writer's opinion (the claim). An article can use subheadings, but an essay is written in paragraphs without them.

REAP example: *One important reason is that paper books help us concentrate.* (Reason) *When I read on a tablet, a message or a game notification often pops up after a few minutes.* (Evidence) *This means my attention jumps away from the story, and I have to read the same page again.* (Analysis) *How can we enjoy an adventure if we keep leaving it?* (Persuasive tool)

How to start: openings you can adapt

• A question: Have you ever wondered why so many pupils feel tired on Monday mornings?
• A short story (anecdote): Last summer, my little cousin jumped into the deep end of the pool, and for one terrible second, nobody moved.
• A surprising fact: Children today spend more time looking at screens than playing outside. That worries me.
• Imagine…: Imagine a school where every break time was spent in a beautiful green garden.
• Straight to the point (essay): In my opinion, school uniforms are a good idea for three main reasons.

How to end: closings you can adapt

• Restate + final thought: For all these reasons, I am convinced that every child should learn to swim. It is a skill that could one day save a life.
• A question to remember: If something makes us healthier, happier and kinder, why would we not choose it?
• A prediction: If we make this small change now, our school will be a better place for everyone next year.
• A gentle invitation: Next time you have a choice, try it for yourself. I think you will agree with me.

4. Useful phrases and vocabulary

5. Strong sample answer

Timing plan for Section B (about 30 minutes)

6. Common mistakes

Practice tasks

1. Your head teacher wants to know what pupils think: 'Should every school have a vegetable garden?' Write a letter to the head teacher giving your opinion. (Plan only.)

   Show answer

   Format: Dear Mrs [name], … Yours sincerely, + full name. P1: hook (a fact about how few children know where food comes from) + background + opinion: yes. P2 REAP: pupils learn science outdoors (example: watching seeds grow). P3 REAP: healthier eating (example: pupils are proud to eat what they grow). P4 the other side: it needs time and water. Answer: a garden club can look after it. P5 conclusion: restate the view politely, final thought.

2. Decide the text type for each task: (a) 'Explain your view on whether pupils should wear uniforms.' (b) 'Write a speech to persuade your class to join the reading club.' (c) 'Write about the advantages and disadvantages of school trips.'

   Show answer

   (a) Opinion writing: give and explain your view. (b) Persuasive writing: you want people to act (join). (c) Balanced argument: both sides fairly.

3. Write a REAP paragraph for the opinion 'Pupils should have longer break times.'

   Show answer

   Example: 'One important reason is that pupils need to move. (R) In our school, break lasts only fifteen minutes, and many pupils spend half of it queueing for food. (E) This means that they return to class restless and unable to concentrate. (A) Is it fair to expect our best work when we have had no time to breathe? (P)'

4. Improve this weak opening: 'I am going to write about homework. I think it is good.'

   Show answer

   Example: 'Imagine reaching your exam and realising you had never practised on your own. Homework is sometimes boring, but I strongly believe that it is one of the best ways to prepare for success.' (Hook + background + clear opinion, and no 'I am going to write about'.)

5. Rewrite this rude sentence about the other side so that it is polite and still keeps your view: 'People who like screens are wrong and lazy.'

   Show answer

   Example: 'Admittedly, some people prefer screens because they are convenient. However, I believe the benefits of paper books are greater.'

6. Which sentence is a better conclusion, and why? (a) 'Also, books are cheap.' (b) 'For all these reasons, I am convinced that reading every day is a habit worth keeping.'

   Show answer

   (b), because it restates the opinion in new words and closes the piece. (a) adds a new reason, which belongs in the body, not in the conclusion.