1. Writing to Explain Why Opinion Paper
Use this slide show to present an informational/expository “How To” writing genre. Use this slide show to take students through the steps of informational writing. This informational genre is focused on “How To” writing. Use the “I do”, “We do’, and “You do”, model for presenting this genre. Print slides 1,2, 4, 5, 6,7, and 8 for students as reference.

2. What is an opinion?
An opinion is the way you think or feel about something.
I like basketball best!
I like soccer best!

3. You can agree or disagree with someone else’s opinion
Because an opinion is what YOU think, it can’t really be wrong … especially if you have reason for your opinion.
I like basketball best because you shoot baskets.
I like soccer best because you get to make goals.

4. Prompt:
Everyone has a favorite food. Think about something that you like to eat more than anything else. Tell about your favorite food and give reasons why you like it so much.

5. Lesson Plan – Day 1 Brainstorm – what are some of your favorite foods?
Use the Smartboard, chart paper, or overhead to model the process.

6. Organize
Decide which of these foods you like more than the others. Write your choice in the large box of the Multi-Flow Map.
Think of the reasons that cause you to like this food so much.
Write your reasons for liking this food in the smaller boxes.

7. Sequence for Writing
I need to decide which three reasons are my best reasons.
Then I will write the reasons in order of importance on my Flow Map.
Now I need to write an opening sentence that tells my choice and my reasons.

8. Lesson Plan Day 2 Think Aloud Explain Your Reasons
Under each box on the Flow Map I need to explain what I mean or give an example.

9. Add Transition Words of Logic
Now I need to decide on the best transition words to use before I write each of my reasons.
Write the transition words on top of each of the small boxes of the Flow Map.

10. Closing Paragraph
My closing sentence should tell my choice and my reasons.

11. Orally Rehearse
Get together with two or three other students and tell what you are going to write using your Flow Map.

12. Lesson Plan – Day 3 Write your story using your Flow Map.
Circle each part of your flow map in a different color.
The students can write their paragraphs in the color that surrounds it.
You can insert your written draft on a slide, use the Smartboard, or chart paper.

13. Revise/Edit
Revise and edit your “Writing to Explain Why Opinion Paper.” Your writing should:
Target a specific audience and purpose.
Organize clear ideas into a meaningful sequence.
Be written in appropriate format.
Be edited for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.

14. Publish Remember that published is “perfect”.
Rewrite your final copy in your best handwriting.
Pay attention to conventions.