Opinion essay 5v

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Opinion essay

Introduction & thesis statement

What is an essay?

• An essay is a piece of writing where you share your ideas about a topic in an organized way. It usually has an introduction, body paragraphs with your main points and examples, and a conclusion to sum up your ideas.
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• an analytic or interpretative literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view.

What is an opinion essay?

A literary essay is really an analysis of a literary work, in this case: our book Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.

It is not merely a summary. Instead, it is an argument about the work that expresses a writer's (that's you guys) personal perspective, interpretation, judgment, or critical evaluation of the book.

An opinion essay is a type of writing where you express your personal opinion on a topic and support it with clear arguments and examples. Your goal is to convince the reader that your opinion is well thought out and logical.

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Exercise: Statement Sprint

1. Celebrities and influencers are bad role models for teenagers.
2. Everyone should do a year of volunteer work after high school.
3. Artificial intelligence will create more jobs than it destroys.

Choose the statement you agree or disagree with the most. You than must write one sentence explaining why.

1. Celebrities and influencers are bad role models for teenagers.
2. Everyone should do a year of volunteer work after high school.
3. Artificial intelligence will create more jobs than it destroys.

Choose the statement you agree or disagree with the most. You than must write one sentence explaining why.

It should have these 3 elements:

1. An introduction that tells the reader what your essay will focus on. Hook, background information, thesis statement

2. A main body, divided into paragraphs, that builds an argument using evidence.

3. A conclusion that clearly states the main point that you have shown with your analysis.

Restates the thesis, summarizes key points, and leaves a final impression.

The introduction

> Hook, an attention getter

> background introduce your topic
> End with your thesis statement (your main argument)

The introduction

> Start with a compelling opening statement - Hook

> background information
> End with your thesis statement (your main argument)

The introduction

> Start with a compelling opening statement - Hook

> background information: You clearly introduce the topic, 

> End with your thesis statement (your main argument).

The introduction

> Start with a compelling opening statement - Hook

> background information
> End with your thesis statement (your main argument)

Celebrities and influencers are bad role models for teenagers.

(Hook) From viral TikTok trends to million-dollar brand deals, celebrities and influencers shape the way teenagers think, act, and see the world.  (Background) Social media has made these figures more influential than ever, with young people following their every move. While some influencers promote positivity and hard work, many set unrealistic standards and encourage harmful behavior.  (Thesis) Celebrities and influencers are bad role models for teenagers because they often promote unhealthy lifestyles, materialism, and unrealistic expectations.

Objective: Quickly write a clear thesis statement in response to a fun prompt.

Read the prompt and decide your position.

"Homework should be banned."

Write a thesis statement that includes:

Your position and Two supporting reasons.

Example: "This essay argues that homework should be banned because it increases stress and reduces family time."

" Write a thesis statement that includes:
Your position / Two supporting reasons.

"Chocolate is better than ice cream."
"Summer is the best season of the year.
Pizza is the best food in the world."
"Aliens definitely exist."

This essay will provide an explanation for pizza being the best food in the world because it is versatile, widely loved, and available in endless varieties to suit every taste."

This essay challenges the question that aliens definitely exist because the universe is vast and unexplored, and scientists have found signs of potentially habitable planets.

This essay will argue that chocolate is better than ice cream because it is more versatile, lasts longer, and can be enjoyed in any season

This essay will demonstrate that summer is the best season of the year because it offers the longest days, the weather, and opportunities for outdoor activities.

Exercise 1 – Outline Answer Key:

Topic: School uniforms should be mandatory

1. Introduction

A. Attention getter/hook: Imagine if students could start each day without the stress of choosing what to wear.

B. Supporting sentences: When everyone dresses the same, there’s less pressure to keep up with fashion trends, creating a more focused learning environment.

C. Thesis: Schools should implement uniforms because they promote equality, reduce stress, and enhance focus on learning.

2. Body Paragraphs

Point 1: Uniforms create a sense of equality among students.

A. Supporting idea: Wearing uniforms ensures that all students, regardless of their financial background, are treated equally.

B. Supporting idea: Uniforms level the playing field for students, making it less likely they’ll be judged or excluded for their clothes.

Create a strong thesis statements based on these topics, and write a hook to go along with each one:

Topic 1: "Social media has a positive impact on teenagers."
Topic 2: "Homework should be limited to one hour per day."
Topic 3: "Students should be allowed to use phones in school."

Homework

For your homework, write three thesis statements and hooks based on different practice topics. Choose any three topics you're interested in, and make sure your thesis clearly states your opinion and the reasons for it.

write a body paragraph

Students should be allowed to use phones in school

Firstly, Students should be allowed to use phones in school because they can enhance learning. Many educational apps and online resources help students research topics instantly, making learning more interactive and efficient. For example, students can use dictionary apps to look up unfamiliar words or access online textbooks for additional explanations. Additionally, phones can improve organization through calendar apps and reminders, helping students manage deadlines and assignments. When used responsibly, these tools foster independence and time management skills. By integrating phones into education, schools can prepare students for the digital world while maintaining academic focus.

Point 2: Uniforms help students focus on their education.

A. Supporting idea: Uniforms encourage students to concentrate on their education without the distraction of what others are wearing.

B. Supporting idea: With less focus on what they wear, students can direct more energy toward their schoolwork and learning.

Point 3: Uniforms save time and reduce stress in the morning.

A. Supporting idea: Uniforms eliminate daily outfit decisions, saving time and making mornings easier for everyone.

B. Supporting idea: When students don’t have to think about clothes, they can get ready faster in the morning, which reduces stress.

3. Conclusion

A. Summing up: In conclusion, school uniforms offer benefits such as fostering equality and making the school day smoother for students.

B. Final opinion/rephrasing of thesis: That’s why I strongly believe that school uniforms should be mandatory to create a fair and less stressful school experience.

What do you think needs to be in your conclusion?

GOAL of a conclusion

Now that you’ve developed strong body paragraphs, it’s time to learn how to write a concise and impactful conclusion for your opinion essay. The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay, where you leave a lasting impression on your reader by summarizing your points and restating your opinion.

What is in a conclusion:

1. Linking word

for example: In conclusion,  -  To sum up,

2.  Restating the Opinion:

After summarizing your main points, you need to restate your opinion or thesis. Don’t

simply copy it from your introduction; instead, rephrase it in a new way.

3.  Summarizing the Main Points:

The first part of your conclusion should briefly summarize the key arguments you

made in your body paragraphs. This reminds the reader of the points you’ve made

without introducing new information.

4. Offering a Final Thought or Recommendation:

Finally, leave the reader with a closing thought, a call to action, or a recommendation.

This adds impact to your conclusion and gives the reader something to consider.

CONCLUSION:- (thesis = students should be allowed to use phones in school because it provides an excellent learning tool, it is a sign of the times and they need to be able communicate with friends and family)

In conclusion, allowing students to use phones in school is beneficial because they serve as valuable learning tools, reflect modern technological advancements, and enable communication with friends and family. They provide instant access to information, helping students deepen their understanding of various subjects. When used responsibly, phones support education, organization, and independence, helping students prepare for a digital future. Instead of banning them, schools should focus on teaching responsible phone use, ensuring that students can balance technology with their academic responsibilities while also fostering self-discipline and focus.

Please post your conclusion