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Opinion Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders

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Opinion prompts kids care about, a chart of the parts of an opinion piece, a planner, and practice with linking words and strong reasons.

Download the opinion writing prompts worksheets

How to write an opinion

A chart of the parts of an opinion piece and a planner to organize reasons.

  • Preview of the printable “Opinion writing planner” worksheet: planning an opinion piece: topic, opinion, reasons with examples, and a conclusionView larger

    Opinion writing planner

    Planning an opinion piece: topic, opinion, reasons with examples, and a conclusion

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    1 page29 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Parts of an opinion piece” worksheet: learning the parts of an opinion piece: introduction, opinion, reasons, linking words, and a conclusionView larger

    Parts of an opinion piece

    Learning the parts of an opinion piece: introduction, opinion, reasons, linking words, and a conclusion

    1 page45 KB

Opinion writing practice

Linking words, fact or opinion, and choosing the strongest reason, with answer keys.

  • Preview of the printable “Linking words for opinions” worksheet: choosing linking words (because, therefore, since, for example) to connect an opinion and reasonsView all 2 pages

    Linking words for opinions

    Choosing linking words (because, therefore, since, for example) to connect an opinion and reasons

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages51 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Facts, Opinions, and reasons” worksheet: telling facts from opinions and choosing a strong reason that supports an opinionView all 2 pages

    Facts, Opinions, and reasons

    Telling facts from opinions and choosing a strong reason that supports an opinion

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages60 KB

Opinion writing prompts

Questions third graders care about, each with a five-box plan, a word bank, and a sentence starter.

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these opinion writing prompts worksheets

In an opinion piece, a writer tells what they think and gives reasons to convince the reader. Third graders introduce the topic, state their opinion, give several reasons, connect them with linking words like because, therefore, since, and for example, and finish with a concluding statement.

These opinion writing prompts for 3rd graders start with a chart of those four parts and a planner that follows them. Practice pages with answer keys work on linking words, telling facts from opinions, and choosing the strongest reason. Then come prompts third graders care about: should recess be longer, which season is best, should kids have homework, a class pet, the best invention, and a book you would recommend. Each prompt has a five-box plan, a word bank, a sentence starter, and a full page of lines.

Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.AIntroduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.BProvide reasons that support the opinion.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.CUse linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.DProvide a concluding statement or section.

How to use them

  1. Start with the chart and talk about an opinion your child already has.
  2. Do the linking words and fact or opinion pages next.
  3. Use the planner for the first prompt, then the plan boxes on each prompt page.
  4. Reread the finished piece: is the opinion clear, and does every reason support it?

Teaching tips

  • A reason should answer the question "why?" about the opinion.
  • For example is a strong way to add proof to a reason.
  • The conclusion restates the opinion in new words.
  • Let your child argue the side they really believe.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What is opinion writing in 3rd grade?

A piece that states an opinion about a topic or a book, gives reasons that support it, uses linking words, and ends with a conclusion.

What are good opinion writing prompts for 3rd graders?

Questions about school, family, seasons, books, and inventions, where children have a real opinion and can think of three reasons.

Do the pages have answer keys?

The practice pages have keys. Prompt pages have none, because every answer is different.