Task 1: Select an opinion from one of the following questions and write an opinion essay. Brainstorm ideas and questions that you have about the topic. Save your brainstorming work so that you can submit it.
- Are arranged marriages good or bad?
- Should the government place a tax on smoking?
- Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
- Should students have to wear uniforms or have a dress code?
- Are we too dependent on our "devices"?
Task 2: Find three credible website sources with information about your topic. Create a document and save the website addresses for those sites in the document. For each source, explain why it is credible.
Task 3: Prepare a chart showing three ideas for the Yes argument and three ideas for the No argument.
Task 4: Choose the side you want to argue on, and write the rough draft of a five-paragraph opinion essay.
Task 5: Edit and proofread. Correct spelling, and make sure that you have not copied and pasted any words from any other sources. Every sentence must be your own!
Task 6: Place all your documents in one file and submit your work. Save the file to your Portfolio too! Call the file Lesson 5 Portfolio Item.
You should have:
- Brainstorming about a topic
- Three credible sources and an explanation of why they are credible
- A chart showing three Yes and No ideas
- A rough edited draft of your five-paragraph opinion essay
- A final copy of your five-paragraph opinion essay