grade 2 informational writing guide

Grade2Informational Writing Guide

StudentPagesforPrintorProjection

SECTION6:AuthenticWritingTasks

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Name:

ANALYZING PROMPTS (1)

You’ve been invited to a birthday party! Write about the games you’ll

play and foods you’ll eat at this special gathering.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________

Prewriting Framework:

TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #1: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #2: _____________________________________________

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Think about a relative you really like. Write an essay describing two

things you enjoy doing together.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #1: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #2: _____________________________________________

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Going to the beach is a great summer outing. Write a piece telling

about what you like best about the sand and the water.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN REASON #1: __________________________________________

MAIN REASON #2: __________________________________________

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Most schools have a playground. Write an essay explaining two things you

enjoy doing at the playground.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN REASON #1: __________________________________________

MAIN REASON #2: __________________________________________

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Write about a sport you like to play. Tell about the rules of the game

and the equipment needed to play this sport.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #1: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #2: _____________________________________________

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There are many kinds of interesting mammals in the world. Write a text

about a mammal. Include details about this creature’s appearance,

habitat, and behavior.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #1: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #2: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #3: _____________________________________________

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Name:


There are many different habitats in the world. There are jungles,

grasslands, woodlands, seashores, rain forests, deserts, and more. Select

a habitat and write a report that describes its landscape and the wildlife.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #1: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #2: _____________________________________________

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Name:


What is your favorite season? Write about the weather and the outdoor

activities that you think make this season the best one of all!

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN REASON #1: __________________________________________

MAIN REASON #2: __________________________________________

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Every day there are people in the world who work hard to help others.

Write a report that describes two people who help others. They might

be someone you know, or someone you don’t know. Be sure to include

who they help and the ways they help others.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #1: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #2: _____________________________________________

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Think about the many books you’ve read. You may have read the book

on your own, or someone may have read it to you. Write about two

books that you think are the best. Be sure to explain what each book is

about and explain what you liked about it.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN REASON #1: __________________________________________

MAIN REASON #2: __________________________________________

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Staying healthy is important. Write an essay describing two things you

can do to help stay healthy. Be sure to include plenty of details so your

reader will know exactly what to do!

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #1: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #2: _____________________________________________

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Think of all of the pets a child could have. Pick a pet and write a report

about that pet. Be sure to include the supplies you’d need for this pet,

and the ways you’d need to care for it. Then, on another paper draw a

detailed illustration of what this pet looks like.

GENRE: _____________________________________________________


TOPIC: ____________________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #1: _____________________________________________

MAIN IDEA #2: _____________________________________________

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TEMPLATE FOR INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH Write your introduction paragraph. It must include your topic and main ideas. Use informational verbs.

______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Informational Verbs

• learn about • understand

• discover • explore • examine

• uncover • find out • focus on

• remember

Sentence Starters for your Introduction:

Let’s discuss the _______ (main idea/reason) and explain _______ (main ideas/reasons).

Have you ever wondered about ________?

Are you interested in ________?

We’ll explore ________.

Let’s look closely at ________.

We’ll examine ________.

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TEMPLATE FOR BODY PARAGRAPH(S) Write your body paragraph(s) with details that support the main idea or main reason. To help you focus, underline your main idea sentence and write a “blurb” in the margin. Be sure that each detail is in a separate sentence and use “What does it look like? Why is it important?”

______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Sentence Starters for your Body Paragraphs:

Just imagine how ________. If you think about it ________.Wouldn’t you love ________? Let’s think about how ________.You will surely understand why ________. Let’s look closely at ________.Do you believe ________? If you want ________.It is exciting to ________.

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TEMPLATE FOR CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH(S) Write your conclusion paragraph(s) by restating the main ideas or main reasons and providing one last statement that sums it all up. Use definitive words and phrases.

______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Sentence Starters for your Last Statement:

After all, ________.

Without a doubt, ________.

It is truly ________.

It is clear that ________.

Sentence Starters for Restating your Main Ideas/Reasons:

• Are you convinced ________?• Isn’t it interesting to learn about ________? • The only question left is ________? • If you’ve ever dreamed of ________.

Definitive Words and Phrases

Without a doubt After all

For sure Surely

Clearly Truly

Certainly Definitely

Absolutely

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Name:

A NONFICTION BOOK REPORTRemember how you can turn questions into responses by repeating part of the question in your answer? The questions below will help you think about the book you read. Answer each question. Be sure to repeat the important part of the question in your answer. Several have been started for you!

1. What is the title of the book you read?

The title of the book I read was ___________________________________________ .

2. Who was it written by?

_____________________________________________________________________ .

3. What was the topic of your book?

_____________________________________________________________________ .

4. Which main ideas were included by the author?

The author included main ideas such as ____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

5. What were you surprised to learn?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

6. What was the most interesting fact that the author revealed?

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

7. Would you recommend this book? Why?

I’d recommend this book because _________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

I wouldn’t recommend this book because __________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

To write your report, copy your answers on another paper, in paragraph form.

Student Reference Page


SENTENCE STARTERS FOR RESPONSE TO NON-FICTION TEXT:

• This piece explores ________.

• It was interesting to learn that ________.

• I was surprised to read that ________.

• This made sense because ________.

• The information here makes me ________.

• I learned that ________.

• This is a little like ________.

• This information reminds me of________.

• What interested me most was ________, because ________.

• The author explains ________.

• I discovered that ________.

• The text discusses ________.

• In my own life I’ve ________.

• I was impressed by________.

• After reading this I’ll ________.

• I’ve decided that ________.

• The author points out ________.

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Name:

A NARRATIVE STORY BOOK REPORTRemember how you can turn questions into responses by repeating part of the question in your answer? The questions below will help you think about the book you read. Answer each question. Be sure to repeat the important part of the question in your answer. Several have been started for you!

1. What is the title of the book you read?

The title of the book I read was ___________________________________________ .

2. Who was it written by?

_____________________________________________________________________ .

3. Who was the main character in your book?

_____________________________________________________________________ .

4. What was the main character’s problem or adventure?

________________________‘s problem/adventure was ________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

5. What did the main character learn?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

6. What was the most entertaining part of the story?

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

7. Would you recommend this book? Why?

I’d recommend this book because _________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

I wouldn’t recommend this book because __________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ .

To write your report, copy your answers on another paper, in paragraph form.

(main character’s name)



SENTENCE STARTERS FOR RESPONSE TO NARRATIVE STORIES:

• The title of this story was ________.

• It was written by ________.

• This story is about __________________.

• The problem was that ________.

• What __________ really wanted was ________.

• The adventure began when ________.

• The author had us in suspense when ________.

• The story got exciting when ________.

• I felt ________, when ________.

• The problem was solved when ________.

• The adventure concluded when ________.

• __________________ learned that ________.

• This story reminds me of the time when I ________.

• I recommend this story because ________.

• I do not recommend this story because________.

(main character)

(main character)

(main character)

(nervous, scared, happy, relieved, excited, sad)

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Name:

LETTER TEMPLATE

Dear__________________,

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Your friend,

__________________________

P.S. ____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________



COMMON LITERARY THEMES

• Courage • Perseverance

• Cooperation • Compassion • Honesty

• Kindness • Loyalty • Responsibility

• Appreciating what you have

• Forgiveness • The Value of Hard Work

• Learning from Mistakes • Determination

• Being True to Yourself

• Importance of Family • Friendship

Can you think of any others?

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Name:

Evidence: ______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

EVIDENCE OF THEME CHART

Book Title: _____________________________________________

Theme: ________________________________________________

Student Page


Name:

• Irene convinces her mother to let her deliver dress

NARRATIVE SUMMARIZING FRAMEWORK & TEMPLATE FOR THEME

This story is about ______________________________________.

The problem, adventure, or experience was that _____________

_____________________________________________________.

The problem was solved/adventure, experience concluded when ___

_____________________________________________________________ .

The theme of this story is _________________________________ .

We see this when _______________________ , the main character,

______________________________________________________ .

This was also demonstrated when ___________________________

______________________________________________________ .

The reader also recognizes the theme in the story when _________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________ .



FRAMING QUESTIONS FOR READING AND RESPONDING TO LITERATURE

• Who is the main character? (point of view character or protagonist)

• Where is the story set?

• What is the main character’s problem, challenge, or adventure?

• What does the main character want?

• Where does the author use suspense?

• How does the main character feel about the situation?

• How does the main character show his/her feelings?

• How was the main event resolved?

• What would you do if faced with a similar challenge or adventure?

Opinion Cards


✁✁Se

nten

ce S

tart

ers f

or R

espo

nse

to

Nar

rativ

e Te

xts

In m

y op

inio

n ___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.To

me

it se

ems

that

___

____

____

____

____

____

___.

From

my

poin

t of v

iew

___

____

____

____

____

____

_.Th

e st

ory

prob

lem

was

___

____

____

____

____

____

_.Th

e w

ay I

see

it _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.Th

e ad

vent

ure

was

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

.W

ithou

t a d

oubt

the

best

par

t __

____

____

____

____

.Th

e pa

rt I

like

d be

st w

as

____

____

____

____

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The

part

I e

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ost w

as _

____

____

____

____

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It re

min

ded

me

of th

e tim

e w

hen _

____

____

____

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Wha

t is

your

opi

nion

abo

ut

this

sto

ry?

3 4

1

PRO

S

2

CON

S

Opinion Cards


In m

y op

inio

n _

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

.

From

my

poin

t of

vie

w _

____

____

____

____

____

.

The

way

I s

ee it

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

.

I am

aga

inst

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.

I am

opp

osed

to

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.

I di

sapp

rove

of

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

I di

slik

e _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

.

I am

ant

i- _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.

I am

in o

ppos

itio

n of

__

____

____

____

____

____

__.

No!

I re

ally

don

’t li

ke/w

ant

___

____

____

____

____

.

I do

not

sup

port

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

I am

for

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

.

I am

in fa

vor o

f __

____

____

____

____

____

____

___.

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pro

__

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.

I ap

prov

e __

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.

I am

lean

ing

tow

ard

___

____

____

____

____

____

__.

I pr

efer

__

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

Yes!

I li

ke _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

I su

ppor

t _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

It m

ade

me

thin

k of

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

.Th

e m

ost

exci

ting

par

t w

as _

____

____

____

____

____

.I

felt

sad

whe

n _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

The

funn

iest

sce

ne w

as

____

____

____

____

____

____

.I

real

ly lo

ved

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

My

reas

on fo

r lik

ing

this

sto

ry is

___

____

____

____

__.

I lik

ed t

his

stor

y be

caus

e _

____

____

____

____

____

__.

My

reas

on fo

r dis

likin

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is s

tory

is _

____

____

____

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e st

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mad

e m

e fe

el _

____

____

____

____

____

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Wha

t I

enjo

yed

mos

t ab

out

the

stor

y ___

____

____

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I w

ould

not

reco

mm

end

this

boo

k be

caus

e __

____

__.

I w

ould

reco

mm

end

this

boo

k be

caus

e _

____

____

__.

Opinion Cards


✁

5 6

7 8

Wha

t w

as t

he s

tory

pro

blem

or

adve

ntur

e?

Wha

t w

as t

he b

est

part

of t

he s

tory

?

Wha

t di

d th

e st

ory

rem

ind

you

of

in y

our o

wn

life?

Wha

t w

as t

he m

ost

exci

ting

par

t?

Opinion Cards


The

mos

t ex

citi

ng p

art

was

___

____

_ .

Wit

hout

a d

oubt

the

bes

t pa

rt

____

____

.

The

part

I li

ked

best

was

__

____

____

___

.

The

part

I e

njoy

ed m

ost

was

___

____

___

.

To m

e it

see

ms

that

___

____

____

____

___

.

The

stor

y pr

oble

m w

as _

____

____

____

__.

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adve

ntur

e w

as _

____

____

____

____

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min

ded

me

of t

he t

ime

whe

n __

____

.

It m

ade

me

thin

k of

___

____

____

____

__.

Opinion Cards


✁

9 10

11 12

Wha

t pa

rt o

f the

sto

ry m

ade

you

feel

sad

?

Wha

t sc

ene

in t

he s

tory

was

th

e fu

nnie

st?

Wha

t di

d y

ou lo

ve a

bout

thi

s st

ory?

Wha

t is

you

r rea

son

for l

ikin

g t

his

stor

y?

Opinion Cards


My

reas

on fo

r lik

ing

this

sto

ry is

__

_ .

I lik

ed t

his

stor

y be

caus

e _

____

____

__.

The

funn

iest

sce

ne w

as

____

____

___

.

I fe

lt sa

d w

hen

__

____

____

____

____

.I

real

ly lo

ved

___

____

____

____

____

_ .

Opinion Cards


✁

13 14

15 16

Wha

t is

you

r rea

son

for d

islik

ing

this

sto

ry?

How

did

the

sto

ry m

ake

you

feel

?

Wha

t di

d yo

u en

joy

the

mos

t ab

out

the

stor

y?

Why

wou

ld y

ou N

OT

reco

mm

end

this

boo

k?

Opinion Cards


I w

ould

NO

T re

com

men

d th

is b

ook

beca

use

___

____

____

____

____

____

_.

The

stor

y m

ade

me

feel

___

____

____

.

My

reas

on fo

r dis

likin

g th

is s

tory

is

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

I di

slik

ed t

his

stor

y be

caus

e _

____

__.

Wha

t I

enjo

yed

mos

t ab

out

the

stor

y _

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.

Opinion Cards


✁

17 18

19 20

Why

wou

ld y

ou re

com

men

d th

is b

ook?

Opi

nion

/Poi

nt o

f Vie

w A

ctiv

ity T

ake

a Cl

ass P

oll

• be

ach

vs. a

mus

emen

t pa

rk•

choc

olat

e ic

e cr

eam

vs.

vani

lla ic

e cr

eam

• sc

hool

lunc

h vs

. brin

ging

lunc

h to

sch

ool

• do

gs v

s. ca

ts

• w

inte

r vs.

sum

mer

• m

ovie

the

ater

vs.

hom

e vi

deo

• ba

seba

ll vs

. foo

tbal

l•

hot

dogs

vs.

ham

burg

ers

• hi

de n

see

k vs

. tag

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Opinion Cards


choc

olat

e ic

e cr

eam

vs

. va

nilla

ice

crea

m

beca

use.

..

I w

ould

reco

mm

end

this

boo

k be

caus

e __

____

____

____

____

____

__.

beac

hvs

. am

usem

ent

park

be

caus

e...

• pa

ncak

es v

s. w

affle

s

• ea

ting

out

vs.

eati

ng a

t ho

me

• rid

ing

bike

vs.

skat

e bo

ardi

ng

• ap

ples

vs.

bana

nas

• m

ath

vs. r

eadi

ng

• na

rrat

ive

book

s vs.

info

rmat

iona

l boo

ks

• le

mon

ade

vs. c

hoco

late

milk

• sp

aghe

tti v

s. ta

cos

Opinion Cards


✁

21 22

23 24

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Opinion Cards


win

ter

vs.

sum

mer

beca

use.

..

mov

ie t

heat

ervs

. ho

me

vide

o

beca

use.

..

scho

ol lu

nch

vs.

brin

ging

lunc

h to

sch

ool

beca

use.

..

dogs vs.

cats

beca

use.

..

Opinion Cards


✁

25 26

27 28

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Opinion Cards


hide

n s

eek

vs

. ta

g

beca

use.

..

panc

akes

vs.

waf

fles

beca

use.

..

base

ball

vs.

foot

ball

beca

use.

..

hot

dogs

vs.

ham

burg

ers

beca

use.

..

Opinion Cards


✁

29 30

31 32

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Opinion Cards


appl

es

vs.

bana

nas

beca

use.

..

mat

hvs

. re

adin

g

beca

use.

..

eati

ng o

utvs

. ea

ting

at

hom

e

beca

use.

..

ridin

g bi

kevs

. sk

ate

boar

ding

beca

use.

..

Opinion Cards


✁

33 34

35 36

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Wha

t do

you

pre

fer?

Take

a p

ositi

on?

Pose

an

issue

to th

e cl

ass.

• ha

ve a

set

bed

tim

e?•

limit

TV

, com

pute

r tim

e?•

have

an

extr

a re

cess

eac

h da

y?•

have

a c

lass

pet

?•

be a

llow

ed t

o w

ear f

lip-f

lops

?•

have

des

sert

eve

ry d

ay?

• ha

ve a

n al

l-boy

or a

ll-gi

rl cl

assr

oom

?•

have

gym

cla

ss d

aily

?•

have

hom

ewor

k?•

have

sch

ool s

ix d

ays

a w

eek?

Opinion Cards


spag

hett

ivs

. ta

cos

beca

use.

..

narr

ativ

e bo

oks

vs.

info

rmat

iona

lbo

oks

beca

use.

..

lem

onad

evs

. ch

ocol

ate

milk

beca

use.

..

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Opinion Cards


✁

37 38

39 40

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Opinion Cards


Shou

ld w

e -

have

a c

lass

pet

?

Shou

ld w

e -

have

a s

et b

edti

me?

Shou

ld w

e -

limit

TV

or c

ompu

ter

tim

e?

Shou

ld w

e -

have

an

extr

a re

cess

eac

h da

y?

Opinion Cards


✁

41 42

43 44

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Opinion Cards


Shou

ld w

e -

be a

llow

ed t

o w

ear

flip-

flops

?

Shou

ld w

e -

have

gym

cla

ss d

aily

?Sh

ould

we

- ha

ve d

esse

rt a

ll da

y?

Shou

ld w

e -

have

an

all-b

oy o

ral

l-girl

cla

ssro

om?

Opinion Cards


✁

45 46

47 48

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Take

a p

osit

ion!

Whe

ther

pos

itive

or n

egat

ive, i

t is

help

ful t

o ha

ve a

var

iety

of

ways

to e

xpre

ss o

pini

ons.

Thes

e se

nten

ce s

tarte

rs c

an b

e us

ed

to st

ate

the

auth

or’s

pos

ition

of s

tanc

e on

just

abo

ut a

ny to

pic,

situa

tion,

act

ivity

, and

issu

e. So

me

gene

ral p

hras

es a

re:

Wha

t’s y

our O

pini

on?

In m

y op

inio

n __

____

____

____

____

____

____

.Fr

om m

y po

int

of v

iew

, __

____

____

____

____

.Th

e w

ay I

see

it, _

____

____

____

____

____

___

.I

belie

ve t

hat _

____

____

____

____

____

____

__.

Don

’t y

ou a

gree

tha

t ___

____

____

____

____

_?

I fe

el t

hat _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_.

Opinion Cards


Shou

ld w

e -

have

hom

ewor

k?

Shou

ld w

e -

have

sch

ool s

ix d

ays

a w

eek?

Wha

t’s

your

Opi

nion

?

Shou

ld w

e -

have

an

all-b

oy o

r all-

girl

cla

ssro

om?

grade 2 informational writing guide

Documents