How do I share my opinion through an essay?

In this lesson, you will learn how to develop a thesis

statement by checking to make sure you have strong

reasons to support it.

Let’s ReviewLet’s ReviewAn opinion essay should include:

• Words that show strong feelings.

• An opinion statement

• Reasons that support the opinion.

An opinion is something you

have strong feelings about.

Let’s ReviewLet’s Review

Writing Process

Generate Ideas

Write Drafts

Revise & Edit

1 2 3

Let’s ReviewA Common Mistake

Not being able to defend your thesis statement.

All children should have a

pet!Why?

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Check to make sure you have an opinion.1

2 List three reasons by asking, “What experiences have I had to support this opinion?”

3 Turn your opinion into a thesis statement.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

1 Check to make sure you have an opinion.

I think everyone

should recycle.

Is this an opinion? Is this something I can convince others to

agree with?

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

2 List three reasons by asking, “What experiences have I had to support this opinion?”

I think everyone

should recycle.

What experiences have I had to support this

opinion?

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Reasons:

• Less trash means smaller landfills.

One time I visited a landfill and was shocked by the

amount of waste! Recycling would

prevent this.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Reasons:

• Less trash means smaller landfills.

• Reusing containers can save families a lot of money!

When my family started recycling our

water bottles, we actually saved

money!

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Reasons:

• Less trash means smaller landfills.

• Reusing containers can save families a lot of money!

• Recycling conserves natural resources.

A recycling company came and spoke to my class about the natural resources that are used to make many products.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson3 Turn your opinion into a thesis

statement.All

people and the earth would benefit from everyone choosing to recycle.

Reasons:• Less trash means

smaller landfills.• Reusing containers can

save families a lot of money!

• Recycling conserves natural resources.

Opinion: I think people should recycle.

What are my reasons really

saying?

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Check to make sure you have an opinion.1

2 List three reasons by asking, “What experiences have I had to support this opinion?”

3 Turn your opinion into a thesis statement.

In this lesson, you have learned how to develop a

thesis statement by checking to make sure

you have strong reasons to support it.

Let’s ReviewGuided PracticeDevelop a thesis statement and supporting reasons to answer the following question.

What is an issue in the world that I think about

a lot?

Let’s ReviewExtension ActivitiesTry to develop a thesis statement with three supporting reasons for each of the following topics:

Conserving energySaving endangered animals.Water conservation

Let’s ReviewExtension ActivitiesThesis Court

The class is the jury. Each of you will come before the jury and make a case for your thesis statement. Use your reasons as evidence!

Does the thesis statement pass the thesis test? The jury decides and the thesis either goes free or goes to jail.

Let’s ReviewQuick QuizCreate a thesis statement with three supporting reasons.

Thesis statement Reasons