Literacy Blitz: Writing a Series of Paragraphs

The Opinion Essay

Writing a Series of Paragraphs (a.k.a. The Opinion Essay)

• Each response must be related to the assigned prompt with a clear and consistent opinion (don’t go back and forth between sides).

• There must be specific supporting details that are thoughtfully chosen (plan this out first so you don’t have random points included).

• The Series of Paragraphs (opinion essay) must be logically organized like you would with an essay: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, Conclusion.

• As always, each paragraph needs to demonstrate competent control of conventions(syntax, grammar, spelling, punctuation – all the stuff that was mentioned yesterday).

• You will be given one question that requires your opinion. The topic will be one that is current and familiar to teenagers, so you should have no problem forming an opinion on it!

• On the next slide, you will see an example of what the question for Writing a Series of Paragraphs looks like on the sample online OSSLT.

• (Have you visited the EQAO website yet? Did you scan the QR code after yesterday’s lesson to try out the sample online OSSLT? If not, this is your reminder!)

• When we get to the next slide, take note of the 4 important highlighted points that can help you get ready for your series of paragraphs writing.

Writing a Series of Paragraphs – The Opinion Essay

Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?

3

1

2

4

Who is your audience? Write in a language that’s appropriate.

Read the topic carefully so you answer properly!

Make note of how many paragraphs you need minimum.

Note your

character limit

(2500).

Planning Stage / Rough Notes

• Before you begin writing, spend approximately 5-10 minutes (max) planning out what you are going to write about.

• This is where your “notepad” tool will come in handy. Spend the time at the beginning to help you organize your response and ensure you meet the 2500 character limit (this is just a wee bit longer than a 140 character tweet, isn’t it?!)

• Remember the notepad option that you learned about yesterday? No? Lucky for you, the next slide will refresh your memory!

1

Select the notepad tool on the top right-hand corner of the test. 2

Once you open the notepad tool, use this space to make rough notes to organize your ideas before you begin typing out your answer.

“Notepad” Tool – a Refresher

(Okay…back to…) Rough Notes

Things to include:

• Your position (yes or no) – in other words, your opinion

• 2-3 main points with supporting ideas for each (proof)

Once your rough notes are complete in your

notepad, you are ready to start the good

copy!

***NOTE: This only shows the rough work for the intro and 2 body paragraphs. Yours should also include a 3rd body paragraph and conclusion.

Introduction Paragraph

This is just a sample of how to structure your introduction paragraph. However, there are other similar methods you could use instead.

Sentence#1

The first sentence should state your opinion.

Ex. In my opinion, high school students should have part-time jobs.

Sentence#2

The second sentence should briefly state the two or three main points of your opinion essay.

Ex. They should have jobs because jobsteach students responsibility, help build team-work skills, and teach the value of money.

Body Paragraphs - P-P-A (need a refresher?)

• When you write your body paragraphs, remember to follow the P-P-A format we looked at yesterday.

• Since you already wrote out your points and proof in your rough notepad, this part shouldn’t take you too long. You just need to add the “A” analysis part where you will expand and explain how your proof helps support your topic sentence.

• Remind yourself of the P-P-A format on the next slide…

P-P-A: Point-Proof-Analysis – a Refresher (from yesterday)

• Think back to your Suzuki English class from grade 9…

• Point-Proof-Analysis is a great tool to help you structure your paragraphs, so make sure you use this when writing your responses.

POINT The first sentence should be a clear topic sentencethat tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

PROOF Detailed proof (either from the reading selection or your experience) that supports the topic sentence.

ANALYSIS Expand - you must explain how your proof helps develop your argument and explains your point.

Use P-P-A!

Conclusion Paragraph

Sentence#1

The first sentence should restate your opinion.

Ex. In conclusion, high school students should have part-time jobs.

Sentences#2 - 4

The following sentences should restate the two or three main points of your opinion essay.

Ex. Teenagers should have jobs because it teaches them about responsibility and time management. Being employed also exposes them to a variety of personalities and helps them build team-work skills. Lastly, having part-time work lets them learn about the value of money.

Again, this is just a sample of how to structure your conclusion paragraph. However, there are other similar methods you could use instead.

Writing a Series of Paragraphs – A Review

INTRO

The first sentence should state your opinion.

The second sentence should briefly state the three main points of your opinion essay.

BODY #1 Point Proof Analysis (Main Point #1)

BODY #2 Point Proof Analysis (Main Point #2)

BODY #3 Point Proof Analysis (Main Point #3)

CONCLUSION

The first sentence should restate your opinion.

The following sentences should restate the three main points of your opinion essay.

Writing a Series of Paragraphs - Tips

Be sure to use the “notepad”

section to plan your response.

This will keep your ideas

organized and structured from

start to finish. It will also make

the writing process easier!

Writing a Series of

Paragraphs - Tips

Make sure you use all

2500 characters (or

at least as close to

2500 characters as

possible).

Check over your response

when you are finished – did

you follow the proper P-P-A

format? Do you have an

introduction and conclusion

paragraph?

EQAO suggests a minimum

of 3 paragraphs, but try to

aim for 4 paragraphs

(especially if you have

characters left to fill).

On the next several slides, you will be shown examples of both UNSUCCESSFUL (code 10, 20, or 30) and SUCCESSFUL (code 40, 50, or 60) series of paragraphs responses.

Take note of what is missing (P-P-A) in some cases, and read through the ‘Annotation’ for each sample to discover why the response was given that score.

Topic Development Example 1• An UNSUCCESSFUL written response

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?Annotation: The response is related to the prompt and expresses a clear opinion with supporting details (all main points are listed – firstly…secondly…thirdly). Nonetheless, there is insufficient detailed proof and analysis, and the response lacks evidence of organization (essay structure) as well as transitions between ideas.

Response related to prompt & expresses

clear opinion

Opinion with supporting details

(main points listed)

Detailed proof & analysis

Evidence oforganization (essay

structure)

Transition between ideas

Topic Development Example 2• A SUCCESSFUL written response

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Response related to prompt & expresses

clear opinion

Opinion with supporting details

(main points listed)

Detailed proof & analysis

Evidence of organization (essay

structure)

Transition between ideas

Annotation: A clear and consistent opinion related to the prompt is developed with sufficient supportive details. The organization is coherent as it demonstrates a thoughtful progression and transitioning of ideas in each paragraph and in written work as a whole.

Conventions Example 1• An UNSUCCESSFUL response

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Control isevident insentence

structure &variety

Correct

punctuation

Errors don’t distract from

overallcontent

Annotation: The response lacks correct sentence structure and demonstrates an incorrect usage of punctuation. Grammar errors distract from overall content.

Conventions Example 2 - A SUCCESSFUL response

What’s the

reasoning for

this score?

Control isevident insentence

structure &variety

Correct

punctuation

Errors don’t distract from

overallcontent

Annotation: Control is evident in sentence structure as well as variety in response. Usage of correct punctuation and minimal errors that don’t distract from overall content render the response a successful one.

Practice Questions for Home

• Do teenagers place too much importance on what they wear?

• Is it important for teenagers to pay attention to world news?

• Is participation in extracurricular activities an important part of secondary school life?

• Should any course be compulsory in high school?

• Should cell phones be allowed in school?

So…we understand both Open Responses AND Short Writing Tasks from yesterday, and NOW you

can add Writing a Series of Paragraphs. Phew!

Now it’s time for you to explore some more of the online OSSLT sample tests at home and prepare yourself for the test. It is one week away today!

(The countdown is on!)

Until tomorrow…when we’ll learn about another OSSLT component...