Jan 2013

Opinion Essay

Question: Should English Language Learners write the Ontario Secondary Literacy Test?
English Language Learners should not write the Ontario Secondary Literacy Test.
First, _______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
Second, _____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
It is a terrible idea for English Language Learners to write the Ontario Secondary Literacy
Test.

The Ontario government should re-think the idea that English Language Learners
should also have to write the Ontario Secondary Literacy Test. First, the idea is terrible
because _______________________________________________________________.
Second, _______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
Students who have come to new country to live are already stressed. They have to cope with
so many unfamiliar things. Writing the Literacy Test is one more stress they do not need.

March 2013

Opinion Essay

Question: Should students have a part-time job?

Step 1: Brainstorming
Yes

No

Introductory Paragraph (4 sentences) State your opinion. Give two reasons for your opinion.

.........................................................................................................................................

2nd paragraph (7 sentences)

(TR) Topic Sentence and Reason

The first reason why _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(S) Summary sentence:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph (7 sentences)

Topic sentence and Reason

The second reason why __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(S) Summary sentence:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

4th paragraph (7 sentences)

Topic sentence and Reason

The second reason why __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(S) Summary sentence:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5th Concluding paragraph summarize your ideas which support your thesis statement. Say it in DIFFERENT wor
1) restate main idea; 2) recap first supportive idea; 3) recap second supportive idea; 4) overall concluding
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Remember:
Use connectors/transition words. (Another reason, for example.)
Indent your paragraphs.
Double-space.
Possible Connectors/Transition Words:
First of all,
Moreover,
Because
For one thing,
For example,
However
One reason that,
Secondly,
In other words
Also,
Thirdly,
Although
In addition,
Finally,
Even though

Name: __________________________
Mar2010

Opinion Essay

Question: Should cellphones be banned from the classrooms?

Step 1: Brainstorming
Yes

No

Introductory Paragraph (2-3 sentences) State your opinion. Give two reasons for your opinion.

.........................................................................................................................................

2nd paragraph
(TR) Topic Sentence and Reason

The first reason why _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(S) Summary sentence:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph
Topic sentence and Reason

The second reason why __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(S) Summary sentence:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Concluding paragraph summarize your ideas which support your thesis statement. Try to get the reader to support
ideas. You will also need to remind the reader of your main, but say it in DIFFERENT words. (2-3 sentences)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Remember:
Use connectors/transition words. (Another reason, for example.)
Indent your paragraphs.
Double-space.
Possible Connectors/Transition Words:
First of all,
Moreover,
Because
For one thing,
For example,
However
One reason that,
Secondly,
In other words
Also,
Thirdly,
Although
In addition,
Finally,
Even though

Name: __________________________
Opinion Essay

Question: In your opinion, when faced with a wrongful situation, would you ignore it or
would you take action?
Introductory Paragraph (2-3 sentences) State your opinion. Give two reasons for your opinion.

.........................................................................................................................................

2nd paragraph
(TR) Topic Sentence and Reason

The first reason why _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(S) Summary sentence:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph
Topic sentence and Reason

The second reason why __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(E) Explanation or example:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(S) Summary sentence:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Concluding paragraph summarize your ideas which support your thesis statement. Try to get the reader to support
ideas. You will also need to remind the reader of your main, but say it in DIFFERENT words. (2-3 sentences)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Remember:
Use connectors/transition words. (Another reason, for example.)
Indent your paragraphs.
Double-space.
Possible Connectors/Transition Words:
First of all,
Moreover,
Because
For one thing,
For example,
However
One reason that,
Secondly,
In other words
Also,
Thirdly,
Although
In addition,
Finally,
Even though

Nov2008

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Writing a Four-Paragraph Essay

Question: Does money bring happiness?

What questions do I need to consider to answer this question?
1.

Why does money bring happiness? Why doesnt money bring happiness?
My brainstorming ideas for these questions:

2.

________________________________________________________________________
My brainstorming ideas for these questions:

3.

________________________________________________________________________
My brainstorming ideas for these questions:

4.

______________________________________________________________________
My brainstorming ideas for these questions:

5.

________________________________________________________________________
My brainstorming ideas for these questions:

mar2008

Name: _______________________
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Writing a Four-Paragraph Essay

Question: Should theatres allow movie-goers to bring their own snacks?

Brainstorming
Allow snacks

Dont allow snacks

Introductory Paragraph (4-6 sentences) State your opinion. Give two reasons for your opinion.
Theatres should/should not allow movie-goers to bring their own snacks for two reasons. The first reason is
................................................................................................................................................................
.
The second reason is .
.

2nd paragraph
Reason #1: _________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation or example: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph
Reason #2: _________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation or example: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Concluding paragraph summarize your ideas which support your thesis statement. Try to get the reader to
support and accept your ideas. You will also need to remind the reader of your main, but say it in DIFFERENT
words. (2-3 sentences)
In conclusion, _____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Remember:
Use connectors/transition words. (Another reason, for example.)
Indent your paragraphs.
Double-space.
Possible Connectors/Transition Words:
First of all,
Moreover,
Because
For one thing,
For example,
However
One reason that,
Secondly,
In other words
Also,
Thirdly,
Although
In addition,
Finally,
Even though

mar2008

Name: _______________________
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Writing a Four-Paragraph Essay

Question: Is March Break a good or a terrible idea?

Brainstorming
March Break is a good idea

March Break is a terrible idea

Introductory Paragraph (4-6 sentences) State your opinion. Give two reasons for your opinion.
A March Break is important/not important for two reasons. The first reason is ...
.
The second reason is .
.

2nd paragraph
Reason #1: _________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation or example: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph
Reason #2: _________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation or example: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Concluding paragraph summarize your ideas which support your thesis statement. Try to get the reader to
support and accept your ideas. You will also need to remind the reader of your main, but say it in DIFFERENT
words. (2-3 sentences)
In conclusion, _____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Remember:
Use connectors/transition words. (Another reason, for example.)
Indent your paragraphs.
Double-space.
Possible Connectors/Transition Words:
First of all,
Moreover,
Because
For one thing,
For example,
However
One reason that,
Secondly,
In other words
Also,
Thirdly,
Although
In addition,
Finally,
Even though

jan2008

Name: _______________________
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Writing a Four-Paragraph Essay

Question: Should students write exams?

Brainstorming
Students should write exams

Students should not have to write exams

Introductory Paragraph (4-6 sentences) State your opinion. Give two reasons for your opinion.
Students should/should not have to write exams for two reasons. The first reason is ...
.
The second reason is .
.

2nd paragraph
Reason #1: _________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation or example: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph
Reason #2: _________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation or example: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Concluding paragraph summarize your ideas which support your thesis statement. Try to get the reader to
support and accept your ideas. You will also need to remind the reader of your main, but say it in DIFFERENT
words. (2-3 sentences)
In conclusion, _____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Remember:
Use connectors/transition words. (Another reason, for example.)
Indent your paragraphs.
Double-space.
Possible Connectors/Transition Words:
First of all,
Moreover,
Because
For one thing,
For example,
However
One reason that,
Secondly,
In other words
Also,
Thirdly,
Although
In addition,
Finally,
Even though

Dec2007

Name: _______________________
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Writing a Four-Paragraph Essay

Question: How important are friends to teenagers?

Brainstorming
Yes

No

Explanations for reasons:

Introductory Paragraph (4-6 sentences) State your opinion. Give two reasons for your opinion.
Friends are very important/not very important to teenagers for two reasons. The first reason is ...
.
The second reason is .
.

2nd paragraph
Reason #1: _________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation or example: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph
Reason #2: _________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example: __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Concluding paragraph summarize your ideas which support your thesis statement. Try to get the reader to
support and accept your ideas. You will also need to remind the reader of your main, but say it in DIFFERENT
words. (2-3 sentences)
In conclusion, _____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Remember:
Use connectors/transition words. (Another reason, for example.)
Indent your paragraphs.
Double-space.
Possible Connectors/Transition Words:
First of all,
Moreover,
Because
For one thing,
For example,
However
One reason that,
Secondly,
In other words
Also,
Thirdly,
Although
In addition,
Finally,
Even though

Name: _______________________
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Writing a Three-Paragraph Essay

Question: Should students participate in high school athletics?

Introductory Paragraph (4-6 sentences) State your opinion. Give three reasons for your opinion.

2nd paragraph Body Paragraph

Reason #1: ________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example: _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Reason #2: _______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example: _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Reason #3: _______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explanation or example: _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Concluding paragraph summarize your ideas which support your thesis statement. Try to get the reader to support
and accept your ideas. You will also need to remind the reader of your thesis, but say it in DIFFERENT words. (2-3
sentences)
In conclusion, __________________________________________________________________________

Remember:
Use connectors/transition words. (Another reason, for example.)
Indent your paragraphs.
Possible Connectors/Transition Words:
First of all,
Moreover,
For one thing,
For example,
One reason that,
Secondly,
Also,
Thirdly,
In addition,
Finally,