Learning how to write academically can pose a challenge. Students need to get familiar with several types of writing, and it can be difficult to keep up with different formats and approaches for each writing style. Younger students especially struggle as they’re new to writing in general and need help with the basic concepts, such as paragraphs and transition words.
An anchor chart is there to help them visualize the information you present, and they can also use it as a reference point in the future. We’ll show you what an opinion writing anchor chart should consist of and where you can download high-quality, ready-to-use anchor charts for your class.
What Is an Opinion Anchor Chart
Unlike informational writing, which presents facts as they are, opinion writing is there to show the author’s point of view on a specific topic and to persuade the reader to agree.
An opinion anchor chart is a teaching tool that helps students get a visual representation of the writing format, as well as some of the writing concepts. The chart also serves as a reminder they can turn to when writing their essay.
A writing anchor chart can focus on different elements of writing, but you should always start with the ones that focus on the structure, such as:
- Introduction anchor chart
- Paragraph anchor chart
- Conclusion anchor chart
- Body paragraph anchor chart
Elements of a Good Opinion Writing Anchor Chart
How exactly would you create an opinion writing anchor chart? Well, again, much like opinion itself, that varies. How you do it depends on your students’ age and cognitive level. Even so, however, the basic anchor principles are the same. How far you go with them can be adapted to suit the grade level.
Differentiate between ‘fact’ and ‘opinion’
Fact and opinion are both important in writing a good opinion piece because they serve different purposes. Facts provide the foundation or support for an opinion. In contrast, opinions are the main idea or position the student tries to express.
It’s important to differentiate between the two so that students understand how to use them effectively in their writing. And, believe it or not, they often struggle to understand the difference.
For example, they may think a statement like “John thinks ice cream is the best food on earth” as an opinion, informing the reader of John’s attitude towards ice cream. However, the fact remains that John thinks ice cream is the best food on earth.
An opinion would be assuming that everyone should feel the same way. For example, “Ice cream is by far the best food on earth”.
An opinion piece without any facts to back it up is likely to be less convincing and less effective. Finding a middle ground between the two is important to write an effective opinion piece.
Show the differences between an opinion piece and a commentary
Students often confuse an opinion piece with a commentary. An opinion piece is a personal response to an issue – like a current event, a school or home rule, or even a new menu in the cafeteria. A commentary, on the other hand, is an unbiased analysis of an issue or topic. But, unlike an opinion piece, a commentary doesn’t offer the writer’s personal take on a subject.
You can illustrate this with a chart or table that shows the differences between opinion and commentary. For example, in the “Opinion” column, you might write, “Opinion is personal,”; whereas in the “Commentary” column, you could write, “With commentary, it’s nothing personal”.
Show them how to organize their ideas with an essay outline
Create a simple visual representation of the framework – or essay outline. An opinion piece can’t be written off the bat. Students will need to construct an opinion piece. A standard essay outline lists the main points covered in the piece. So, first, pick a topic.
Alternatively, each student can pick their own topic, and you can all work on your anchor charts together. Next, create a mind map of the beginning, middle, and end of the “story” or opinion that needs to be put across: i.e., opening statement, argument, and conclusion.
Demonstrate persuasive writing
An opinion piece is written to persuade the reader to share the writer’s point of view on a topic. To write an opinion piece, you must develop the three key components from the previous point above a strong opening statement, an argument (or supporting paragraphs), and a concluding paragraph.
The first paragraph should grab readers’ attention and offer a detailed topic summary. The second paragraph should feature one or more supporting examples to help prove your point. The final section should conclude the topic and summarize the main points of your opinion piece.
Writing Hooks Anchor Chart From Sassy Savvy Simple Teaching
Opinion writing hooks anchor charts are the first charts you should introduce to your students when it comes to actual writing. Use charts to show them what a hook is and how they can use it to pull the reader in.
Since writing a hook can be difficult for students, try to provide them with colorful examples and leave empty spaces for them to fill out. This will help them get a visual aid of hooks and start their creative process.
You can have an anchor chart that focuses on one or all of the most common hook types:
- Scenario
- Question
- Interesting fact
- Quote
Opinion Transition Words Anchor Chart From Weebly
Show the students how they can link sentences and paragraphs together with transition words. This is a powerful tool that many students (especially younger ones) neglect, and they can get used to using it by having a chart by their side. This chart can help them come up with the appropriate transition word. As time goes by, using transition words will become more natural, and they won’t have to refer to the anchor chart every time.
You can use different designs here, depending on how you want them to use transition words. For example, you can use a stoplight design and give examples for three types of transition words:
| Stoplight Color—Type of Transition Words | Examples |
| Green—Beginning | In the beginning Once upon a time To begin with Firstly First off |
| Yellow—Middle | Meanwhile Next Then Second Secondly Furthermore After that Later |
| Red—End | Last Lastly Finally At last Third In the end To summarize In conclusion |
Opinion Reasons Anchor Charts—OREO From Our Global Classroom
Opinion Reasons anchor charts are great as they teach students about the structure of a good opinion writing piece. It shows how they’re supposed to present their thoughts and how to reinforce them with logic. Having a memorable acronym is only a bonus.
Use this chart to introduce the OREO formula and show students how to present their ideas. The formula is as follows:
- Opinion—Introduce your opinion about a given topic
- Reason—Provide information or logical explanations that support your opinion
- Examples—Give details and real-life scenarios that support your opinion
- Opinion—State your opinion again to affirm your point of view
Download High-Quality Opinion Writing Anchor Charts From Teach Simple
While writing anchor charts can be straightforward, and you can even get your students to make them, they still need to be carefully thought out. How do you make sure you use all the necessary information and the easy-to-remember definitions? Planning an anchor chart can be difficult, and it can take you hours, especially if you’re new to it.
If you don’t have the time (or the will) to come up with your own for every class you plan, you can sign up for Teach Simple and find thousands of lesson plans, anchor charts, and other materials related to ELA and writing in particular.
Every product listed on Teach Simple is made by a teacher exclusively, and other teachers review each material to ensure it meets various standards and quality requirements. This way, you can rest assured you’ll enrich your classes with high-quality anchor charts made by people who know what it takes to teach students different types of writing.
Different ways to use anchor charts to teach opinion writing
Let’s look at how anchor charts can be used differently to highlight opinion writing.
Scaffolding From Lucky Little Learners
Students who are not proficient in each element of scaffolding writing can become overwhelmed quickly, so instruction in these elements is crucial. However, breaking them down into bite-sized portions will make them much more manageable.
Fact Vs. Opinion sorting From Lucky Little Learners
Sorting facts and opinions is something that should be done in groups. What better way to get your students to express their opinions? And you can build the anchor chart together, making it far more relevant to the students. You could use many techniques to practice this skill with your team. For example, ask your students to jot down one thing they know about broccoli on a post-it note and stick it to the board. The students will typically write that it’s green, tasty, gross, healthy, and a vegetable. Once the notes are placed on the board, discuss whether a claim is a fact or an opinion and categorize it.
Display examples
It is essential to show students what various levels of mastery look like. Showing your students examples of completed writing can help them visualize expectations and encourage them to keep working and growing.
Model good opinion writing from Mrs. Winter’s Bliss
To illustrate how you would use a graphic organizer to plan your writing, model it for your students. At the beginning of your writing, introduce your perspective with a topic sentence. Next, list your supporting arguments. Finish with a final sentence that reiterates your viewpoint. As a group, identify the topic sentence, the supporting reasons, and the conclusion in your shared writing.
Opinion Essay Structure From Wild About Fifth
Opinion writing resources from Teach Simple
Looking for an opinion writing chart that covers all the bases? Here is everything you need. All these charts and resources support the elements you need to get started to ensure your students understand how to express their opinion in writing.
Opinion writing anchor chart By First in Line
These charts give students the O.R.E.O. acronym to remember and can be placed on a display board or in their notebooks.
Digital graphic organizers By Teach Me This
This resource is jam-packed with digital opinion writing templates that will give your students multiple opportunities to practice this comprehension strategy.
“What do you think?” opinion writing activity By Have Fun Teaching
This graphic organizer is perfect for younger students and guides them every step of the way.
“Would you rather…?” By Aunt Minty’s Education Place
This resource is compiled with 20 high-interest opinion/persuasive writing activities designed for students in Grades K-3.
Opinion writing unit – analyze two accounts of the same topic
This resource lets students practice analyzing multiple versions of the same issue and integrating their learning into a complete opinion response.
Opinion writing unit: paid for chores By Life Beyond the Gradebook
Two texts are included in this resource, one in support of the topic, and one against the topic. The students should use these texts to find evidence that supports their own opinion and use it in their essays.
Opinion writing Anchor Charts from Teachers
Opinion transitions From Art Of It
Sentence starters and transition examples can ease students in and take some of the pressure off.
Opinion writing planner From Art Of It
This prewriting graphic organizer will guide students through their planning process.
Opinion writing checklist From Worksheetplace
This checklist is great for helping students check their work to ensure they have covered everything.
Having a wide variety of opinion anchor charts available can help break down a topic into smaller chunks and make it easier to understand. In addition, using visual aids like anchor charts helps make the lessons more memorable and engaging. Finally, when students need a confidence boost, they are usually grateful to have something to refer so they can move forward independently.
Check out our top pick for anchor charts for writing:
- Opinion Writing Anchor Chart
- Writing With a Purpose Anchor Chart
- Anchor Charts for Writing
- Appeal to Senses Anchor Chart
- Poetry Writing | Anchor Charts & Visuals
- Anchor Charts Professional Development
- Fact and Opinion Anchor Chart
- Idioms Anchor Chart
- Homophones Anchor Chart
- Writing a Beginning, Middle, and End
- Verbs Anchor Chart
- Nonfiction vs. Fiction Comparison Anchor Chart
- Teaching Plot Anchor Chart
- Author’s Claims Anchor Chart
