© 2017 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Allow Chewing Gum in School?”
March/April 2017
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Opinion Writing
Directions: Read the article “Allow Chewing Gum in School?” in the March/April 2017 issue of Storyworks.
Fill in the chart on page 27. Then follow the steps below to write an opinion essay.
An opinion essay is all about stating a view and using evidence to try to convince your readers to agree with
you. First, decide where you stand. Should chewing gum be allowed in schools?
Check the box next to the point of view you will support in your essay.
J Yes! Let kids chew! J No! F for gum!
BEFORE YOU WRITE: CHOOSE YOUR SIDE
The introduction should get readers’ attention, tell them a bit about the topic, and clearly state your opinion.
Write a hook to get readers interested: ____________________________________________________________________
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Write a sentence or two explaining what the debate is all about: _________________________________________
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Write a sentence that clearly states your opinion on the topic:
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PARAGRAPH 1: INTRODUCTION
Write an Opinion Essay
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© 2017 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Allow Chewing Gum in School?”
March/April 2017
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Opinion Writing
You’ve already started this part! Your three reasons should be listed in either the “Kids” or the “Principal”
column on page 27. You can make each one into a topic sentence for a paragraph that supports your
opinion. After the topic sentence, add evidence to support the reason. Use facts and details from the
article, plus any other examples you can think of or evidence you find from other sources.
Topic sentence, stating a reason: __________________________________________________________________________
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Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
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PARAGRAPHS 2, 3, AND 4: REASONS AND EVIDENCE
Write an Opinion Essay, p. 2
PARAGRAPH 2
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Topic sentence, stating another reason: __________________________________________________________________
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Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Topic sentence, stating another reason: __________________________________________________________________
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Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
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© 2017 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Allow Chewing Gum in School?”
March/April 2017
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Opinion Writing
Write an Opinion Essay, p. 3
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PARAGRAPH 3
PARAGRAPH 4
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© 2017 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Allow Chewing Gum in School?”
March/April 2017
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Opinion Writing
Now copy your work onto a separate sheet of paper. Remember to indent at the beginning of each paragraph,
and use transition words where necessary. Don’t forget to proofread!
Think about a point that someone on the other side of the debate might make. How would you respond?
Start this paragraph by mentioning the other side, then explain why you disagree with it.
What the other side might say: ___________________________________________________________________________
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Why you disagree: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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PARAGRAPH 5: MENTION THE OTHER SIDE
The last paragraph of your essay is the conclusion. You should write a few sentences restating your main
points—but don’t add any new ideas. Remember, this is the last thing your readers will see, so make sure to
remind them how you’ve shown that your opinion makes sense.
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PARAGRAPH 6: CONCLUSION
Write an Opinion Essay, p. 4
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