Are you about to start your opinion writing unit? I bet you’re looking for opinion writing prompts and worksheets. Don’t worry, if you’re a kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, or even fourth grade teacher, I’ve got you covered!
Kindergarten opinion writing prompts and worksheets
In kindergarten, we don’t expect the little ones to be writing essays! They are still learning their alphabet, sounds, and sight words at this point. But that doesn’t mean that as teachers, we can’t teach opinion writing.
Students can draw pictures to represent their opinions. They can also write one word answers to prompts (either on their own, with adult support, or copied from the teacher). Drawing illustrations is the first step that kinders need to take towards becoming great writers.
Next, they can begin to write a single sentence (perhaps with adult support or dictation). But either way, it’s important for kindergarten students to verbally share their opinions and represent their opinions in written or picture format.
When I created these opinion writing prompts and worksheets, I made sure that there are lots of options. Some prompts are easier and others are less scaffolded. The options are –
1.) Draw a picture and write one word
2.) Draw a picture and write two words
3.) Draw a picture and write one sentence
4.) Write a sentence (or two) on three dotted lines
5.) Write a sentence (or two) on four dotted lines
You can pick the format that suits your students. Meet them where they are at!
Here’s a look at the common core standard for kindergarten opinion writing:
Kindergarten
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.1
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is…).
“These opinion prompts are the best! I love how they have a place to write their own opinion down on the page. The students did such a good job of opinion writing, we were able to assess them using these prompts! Thanks for the awesome work!” – Cherre A.
Click here to check out my kindergarten opinion writing prompts and worksheets.
First grade opinion writing prompts and worksheets
Similar to kindergarten students, we don’t expect firsties to be writing lengthy opinion writing essays either! But in first grade, students are becoming more confident with their alphabet, sounds, and sight words. They are learning to write great sentences, so they can certainly share their opinions!
Students can share their opinions and provide a reason to support it. They can complete sentence frames like, ‘I prefer______because_____’.
When I created these opinion writing prompts and worksheets, I made sure that there is lots of variety in the prompts and sentence starters –
1.) The best…
2.) I prefer…
3.) Would you rather…
4.) My favorite…
5.) Which is better…
The prompts are still full of engaging clip art to color in and some of them have picture boxes too. This way, students get to color and draw so that the activity is fun (and accessible for emergent writers).
Here’s a look at the common core standard for first grade opinion writing:
First grade
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.
Click here to check out my first grade opinion writing prompts and worksheets.
“Stop reading this and just go buy it. It’s that good. Plus, you can use it many times during a school year. Definitely a must-use for me.” – Amber S.
Fun fact – If you sign up for my free resource library here, you’ll get access to two opinion writing prompts for first grade!
Second grade opinion writing prompts and worksheets
As students begin second grade, they are becoming more proficient writers. They can offer two reasons to support their opinions.
They can use linking words like ‘also’ as they move from one reason to the next. It is important for 2nd graders to understand that their opinion writing needs an introduction and a closing. They learn to re-state their opinion with phrases like ‘that is why…’
Psst! Guess what? You can try one of these prompts for free here.
When I created these opinion writing prompts and worksheets, I made sure that there were prompts with lots of scaffolding and others with just lines.
As you start your opinion writing unit (or the school year), you can offer prompts that are very structured and students just fill in the gaps. As your students become stronger at opinion writing (or writing in general), they can write completely on their own!
This is great for differentiation. Your advanced writers can write on the plain lines and work independently. Your emergent writers can have more support.
Here’s a look at the common core standard for second grade opinion writing:
Second grade
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1
Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
“I loved the progression of students filling in words to then writing sentences. Great practice!” – Nicole N.
Click here to check out my second grade opinion writing prompts and worksheets.
Third grade opinion writing prompts and worksheets
Third graders are usually able to write detailed opinion writing pieces. They can offer two to three strong reasons to support their opinions. By third grade, it’s also ideal if students are adding details and examples to support their reasoning.
Third graders definitely need to have an introduction and a closing.
Here’s a look at the common core standards for third grade opinion writing:
Third grade
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.A
Introduce 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.B
Provide reasons that support the opinion.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.C
Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, forexample) to connect opinion and reasons.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.D
Provide a concluding statement or section.
It’s so important for students to be engaged during writing lessons. If students lose interest in the topic, they begin to resent writing and become reluctant writers. That’s why I created so many different prompts to choose from in these opinion writing prompts and worksheets. Students get to write about delicious food, cute animals, and activities that they love (just to name a few)!
“Writing can be overwhelming. This method allows the children to learn and practice in increments. It is exactly what they needed to understand the process and produce quality work.” – Sonya R.
Click here to check out my third grade opinion writing prompts and worksheets.
Fourth grade opinion writing prompts and worksheets
Unlike kindergarteners, fourth grade students are expected to write detailed opinion essays! They need to support their reasoning with facts and details. They are also expected to use more complex linking words such as, ‘for instance…’
Here’s a look at the common core standards for fourth grade opinion writing:
Fourth grade
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.A
Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.B
Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.C
Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.D
Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
Although fourth graders are often independent and proficient writers, it’s still important for opinion writing to be fun and accessible. That’s why I have included engaging topics, cute clip art, and scaffolding in these opinion writing prompts and worksheets. In short, a blank piece of paper can really make a writing lesson dull. These prompts are sure to make opinion writing more fun.
“Great activity for quick writing. I let my students choose between two of the papers and they enjoyed it a lot!” – Bonnie M.
Click here to check out my fourth grade opinion writing prompts and worksheets.
Free prompt
I hope you’ve enjoyed checking out my opinion writing prompts and worksheets for kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade!
Guess what? You can try one of these prompts for free here. Sign up for lots of awesome freebies!
Have a terrific day,
Children have lots of opinions and they love ‘Would you rather…’ questions. Great idea for learning! I will try with my 4th grader.
Thanks!