Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu

Yanbu Education Division
Yanbu English Language and PYP Institution

English Language Department

2022/2023 (semester one)

ENG 001 - English I

Writing Portfolio 4
Assessment’s Due Date End of Week 13

Assessment’s Start Time: N/A Assessment’s End Time: N/A

Student’s Name:

ID: Section:

FOR INSTRUCTOR USE ONLY GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

CLO MAX MARKS

Q. No. ● Read and follow the instructions for each
. MARK OBTAINED
question carefully.
2.7 10
● Sections D, E, F, and G must be completed in
TOTAL class.
MARKS
FOR INSTRUCTOR’S USE ONLY
Marked By: Date: Signature:

1
 Writing Portfolio 4 (Opinion Paragraph)

Week 13, Semester 221

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME

Write an opinion paragraph using correct paragraph structure; use appropriate signal words; plan for
writing

PORTFOLIO OBJECTIVES

● Write topic, supporting, and concluding sentences in a narrative paragraph.

● Use logical and factual details when defending your opinion.

● Plan, draft, and revise one’s own writing.

KEY VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR CONCEPTS WRITING MECHANICS

1. Expressions in giving opinion Verb 1. Indention

2. Signal words 2. Capitalization
3. Infinitive of purpose 3. Punctuation
4. Gerunds 4. Spelling

2
 Section A: WHAT IS AN OPINION PARAGRAPH?

In an opinion paragraph, you express and support an opinion on a particular topic or issue.
You must give reasons that help persuade the reader to agree with you. When organizing
an opinion paragraph, pay attention to the following:

Topic sentence:
● The topic sentence introduces the topic and states the writer’s opinion

Supporting sentences:
● These sentences give reasons that support your opinion
● Use facts, explanations, and personal experiences to support your opinion

Concluding sentence:
● The last sentence restates your opinion in different words
● It sometimes asks the readers to take some action

Take a look at an example of an opinion paragraph below:

Are Video Games a Good Way to Keep Fit?

Alarabia.net reported last week that 54% of teenagers living in major cities in Saudi
Arabia have video consoles at home and they often play active video games. I believe these
games are good for you for a number of reasons. First of all, I think active video games can
keep you fit. There are different exercises you can do, such as basketball, water-skiing, and
dance. What’s more, you can play them in the comfort of your home. Secondly, in my
opinion these games are fun and interactive because you can play them with friends. If you
play online, you don’t need to be in the same place as your friend to play. In addition, you can
play them whenever you want. Some people think that it’s better to do exercise outside in the
fresh air. Although this is true, it’s actually difficult to play outside when it’s raining or very hot,
so video games are a good alternative. In fact, as someone who lives in a very hot country, I
know I cannot always enjoy the fresh air, so I do my exercise using video games. To sum up,
I believe video games are a good option to keep you fit, so let’s start using them to stay
healthy!

(Adapted from Learn English Teens, British Council, 2018)

3
 Section B: HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR OPINION?

To support your opinion with reasons, you can use facts, explanation, or experiences.

A fact is a piece of information that people generally agree is true. In an opinion

paragraph, a writer might use scientific, historical, or other types of facts.

Example from the paragraph: 54% of teenagers living in major cities in Saudi Arabia have
video consoles at home.

An explanation cannot be proven (like a fact can), but it still helps the reader
understand why you hold a certain opinion.

Example from the paragraph: These games are fun and interactive because you can play
them with friends.

An experience is something that happened to the writer or someone else. Writers

often use experiences to show how they were influenced to think a certain way.

Example from the paragraph: As someone who lives in a very hot country, I know I cannot
always enjoy the fresh air.

Exercise 1:
Read each opinion and the reasons that support it. Write fact, explanation, or experience
next to each reason.

1. Tokyo is the most technologically advanced city in Asia.

In Tokyo, 95% of people have cell phones, and many

buildings have wireless technology.

People’s daily lives will stop if there is a blackout in Tokyo.

I rode the subway in Tokyo for many years, and it never

broke down.

Some subway stations in Tokyo can handle more than a

million passengers a day because of the use of computers.

4
 2. There is no better city to visit than Istanbul.

People in Istanbul are friendly and always willing to help their

neighbors.

Both women and men can visit the beautiful Blue Mosque in
the city’s historic area.

I had the best meal of my life in a small cafe in Istanbul.

Istanbul has a historically important location as a port city on

the only route between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

(Savage & Shafiei, 2017, p. 141-142)

Section C: SIGNAL WORDS

There are some useful signal words that you can use to write your opinion paragraph: You
can use OREO opinion writing format. For more details about OREO, click on the link below
to watch a video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTWXWVvSpa0

Opinion Writing Signal Words

O (opinion)

5
 I think, I believe, In my opinion, The best ….. is…..., I strongly believe, From my point of view, It’s my
belief, Based on what I know

R ( reason)

first, second, also, in addition, furthermore, moreover, in fact, besides, finally, one reason, another
reason

E ( explanation/ example)

for example, for instance, to illustrate, as an illustration, because, since, therefore, so, as a result,
thus, consequently, for these reasons

O ( opinion)

In short, in brief, to sum up, in conclusion, in summary

To emphasize your opinion/position:

Adverbs of frequency (always/never)
Adjectives (awful/wonderful, ugly/beautiful, disgusting/delicious, horrible/enjoyable, worse/better,
worst/best)
Verb (support/oppose, I am for/against)

Exercise 2 (Can be an individual, a pair or small group practice).

Choose one of the following topics and write your opinion in 4- 7 sentences. Use one of the
SIGNAL WORDS from each of the boxes above.

6
 1. Which classroom rule should be changed?
2. Should class break times be longer?
3. Should there be no homework?

Section D: PRE-WRITING

Choose one of the following topics and brainstorm at least three reasons (each with
supporting details) to give your opinion:

1. Would you prefer to live in a big city or a small town?

7
 2. Should teenagers have an opportunity to have jobs?
3. Is it important to win a competition or is participation enough?
4. Should smoking in public places be forbidden?
5. Should women take part in sports?
6. Cell phones should not be used in the class.

Title

Topic sentence: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Reason 1( Fact):
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Supporting detail:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Reason 2 (Explanation):
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Supporting detail:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Reason 3 (Experience):
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Supporting detail:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Concluding sentence: ……………………………………………………………………………………………...

Section E: WRITING YOUR FIRST DRAFT

Write your opinion paragraph below. Please make sure that you use:

8
 ● at least one sentence with infinitive of purpose to explain purpose or reason
● Gerunds as subject or object.
● Signal Words
● Expressions in giving opinion

______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

9
 Section F: Review

Check the quality of your writing by using the table below. If you tick “No”, revise your sentence(s).

Yes No Self-Assessment

Do I state my opinion in the topic sentence?

Do I have at least three reasons to support my opinion?

Do my supporting sentences use explanations, or experience?

Do I use signal words to connect my ideas together?

Do I use at least one sentence with infinitive of purpose?

Do I use gerunds as subjects and objects properly?

Do I use my tenses appropriately? (simple present, simple past, present continuous)

Do I write in complete sentences?

Does every sentence begin with a capital letter?

Does every sentence have a final punctuation (period, question/exclamation mark)?

Are all the spelling correct? Check the dictionary if you are not sure.

Do I indent my paragraph?

Teacher’s feedback:

10
 Section G: FINAL DRAFT

Revise your paragraph below based on your teacher’s feedback:

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

11
________________________________________________________________________________________

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (TEACHER’S MARK)

Criteria 4 3 2 1
all mo so rare
the st met ly
time of ime
the s
tim
e

Process
Student properly follows and accomplishes all the steps in the writing
stages.

Content
Student provides a clear opinion/position on the topic.
with reasons
Student supports his or her opinion
(explanations, or experiences)

Text Organization
Student writes a strong topic sentence and supports it with at least six
supporting sentences.
The supporting sentences are connected with a variety of signal words.

Vocabulary
Student uses a variety of high frequency vocabulary appropriately.

Grammar & Mechanics

Student writes in complete sentences with clear subject and verb.
Student utilizes infinitive
of purpose to explain reason
or purpose. + Gerunds
Student writes in consistent tense.
Student uses correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
Student uses indentation to start the paragraph.

Total (out of 20)

Total (out of 10)

12