Teaching Resource
Opinion Prompt Cards – Set 1
A set of opinion prompt cards that can be used in a multitude of ways.
Use this set of 20 topic cards when teaching your students the craft of writing opinion or argumentative text.
These topic cards can be used in a variety of ways:
- Use in the beginning of your opinion/argumentative writing unit by having students simply decide if they are for or against the given topic. Dedicate one wall in your room ‘For’ the cause and the opposite wall ‘Against’ the cause. Show the class a topic card and have students silently walk to their wall of choice. Then, have your students clearly state (or write) their opinion using a list of introductory words/phrases and academic language.
- Create a class mind map. Give each student a sticky note, and present a topic card to the class. Students must write one reason they are for the given topic. Tape the topic card in the center of your whiteboard and have your students arrange their reasons around it. Then together, as a class, group like reasons together and do a model think-aloud of how to take a brainstorm and turn it into a writing plan.
- Use as an exit ticket quick-write. Show the class a topic card and have them write an opinion statement and give three reasons to support their opinion.
- Have a class debate! Give the class a topic card and split them into 2 groups. One group is ‘for’ the topic, the other ‘against’. Give the groups time to research the topic and develop a plan, then let the debate begin. Invite administration or another class to come and listen and choose a winner.
- Use a topic card and write a class opinion/argumentative writing piece to model the procedure.
The ideas are endless! They can be used whole group, while working with your writing small groups, or use them in your writing center activities.
Worried you might run out? Why not download our Opinion Prompt Cards – Set 2 while you are at it!
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Common Core Curriculum alignment
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.E
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.D
Establish and maintain a formal style.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.C
Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.B
Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.A
Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1.D
Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1.C
Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1.B
Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1.A
Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.D
Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.C
Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.B
Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.A
Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer's purpose.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.D
Provide a concluding statement or section.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.C
Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.B
Provide reasons that support the opinion.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.A
Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.
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English Language Arts and ReadingWritingOpinion and Argumentative WritingOpinion PromptsCompositionTask CardsWriting Prompts
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