opinion essays for middle school

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50 Best Opinion Writing Prompts For Middle School

• September 8, 2023
• 14 min read

Table of Contents:

Why opinion writing matters, writing prompts for middle school, writing prompts for elementary school, writing prompts for first graders, 2nd-grade writing prompts, 3rd-grade writing prompts, 4th-grade writing prompts, 5th-grade writing prompts, why are writing prompts for kids in middle school so important, can these writing prompts be changed so that they work for younger kids, how can writing about opinions help kids outside of school, do these writing prompts cover different things young writers might be interested in, conclusion:.

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Undoubtedly, one of the most important parts of education is teaching young people how to voice their views. This journey of self-discovery and critical thinking starts with opinion writing for middle school kids.

This is a fun and empowering way for them to say what they think, believe, and see. As teachers, parents, and guides, we must give our young students the right tools to help them write effective opinions.

This complete guide gives you the “50 Best Opinion Writing Prompts for Middle School.” These prompts were carefully chosen to spark young writers’ imaginations. These writing ideas were made with different age groups in mind, so they are not just for middle schoolers. Moreover, they can also be changed to fit the creative minds of first through 5th- graders.

Indeed, opinion writing is a way for young people to connect their hearts and minds to the world around them. According to the best book writing company in the USA , writing prompts for middle school and elementary give students a chance to find their voices and let them talk about their feelings, values, and views. Also, it helps them develop important skills like critical thought, persuasive reasoning, and good communication, which will greatly help them in school and beyond.

Creative writing prompts for middle school students are a fun list to help unmotivated and bored students use their imaginations.

Do you know that a lack of energy and direction is one of the main reasons students have trouble getting better at writing?

This can make it hard to think of new ideas, leading to bad work and low confidence.

The writing prompts below ask young writers to think about real or imagined events, how they made them feel, and a few strange things that could happen. So, let’s have a look.

• The Impact of Social Media
• Should School Uniforms Be Mandatory?
• Exploring the Benefits of Outdoor Education
• The Role of Technology in Our Lives
• Are Video Games Harmful or Beneficial?
• The Importance of Recycling
• Should Students Have Part-Time Jobs?
• The Effects of Bullying on Mental Health
• Should Junk Food Be Banned in Schools?
• The Pros and Cons of Homework
• The Influence of Celebrities on Teenagers
• Should Animal Testing Be Allowed?
• The Significance of Friendship in Adolescence
• Is Climate Change Real or a Hoax?
• The Impact of Music on Mood
• Should School Start Times Be Adjusted?
• The Role of Art and Music in Education
• Should Schools Teach Financial Literacy?
• The Effects of Advertising on Young Minds
• Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in Classrooms?
• The Importance of Cultural Diversity
• Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16?
• The Impact of Television on Society
• Should Physical Education Be Mandatory?
• The Ethics of Cloning
• The Significance of Family Traditions
• Should Space Exploration Be Prioritized?
• The Role of Sports in Education
• The Influence of Parents on Career Choices
• Should Schools Teach Coding?
• The Impact of Fast Food on Health
• The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
• Should Public Speaking Be a Required Skill?
• The Effects of Global Warming
• The Significance of Volunteering
• Should Students Be Allowed to Grade Their Teachers?
• The Role of Pets in Our Lives
• The Influence of Books on Imagination
• Should Schools Extend Recess Time?
• The Impact of Plastic Pollution
• The Importance of Self-Care
• Should Schools Implement Meditation?
• The Effects of Social Pressure on Teens
• The Role of Technology in Healthcare
• Should Animal Cruelty Be Punished More Severely?
• The Significance of Time Management
• Should Schools Teach Philosophy?
• The Impact of Online Learning
• The Importance of Critical Thinking
• Should Schools Provide Free Breakfast?

With these creative writing prompts for middle school students, you’ll have a starting point for your writing. Indeed, there’s nothing like a spark of inspiration to get you going!

After suggesting writing prompts for middle school, let’s look into writing prompts for elementary school.

As educators, it is crucial to introduce young minds to the joy of writing from an early age. 1st graders are at a stage where they are developing their language skills and forming their thoughts. Providing them with creative and engaging writing prompts can ignite their imagination and build a strong foundation for future writing endeavors. Therefore, here are some fantastic writing prompts for first graders:

• My Favorite Animal: Describe your favorite animal and explain why you like it.
• A Magical Adventure: Write a story about a magical adventure you had with your best friend.
• The Best Day Ever: Imagine your perfect day and write about all the fun things you would do.
• If I Were a Superhero: Create your superhero persona and write about the exciting powers you would have.
• My Family: Introduce your family members and write about a special memory with each of them.
• The Talking Pet: Imagine your pet can talk and write a conversation you would have with them.
• My Dream Vacation: Describe your dream vacation destination and all the exciting things you would do there.
• The Friendly Alien: Write a story about an alien who comes to visit Earth and becomes your friend.
• My Favorite Food: Explain why your favorite food is the best and how it makes you feel when you eat it.
• The Lost Toy: Write a story about a lost toy and the adventure of finding it again.

Generating writing ideas for 1st graders is a fantastic method to demonstrate to young kids how enjoyable it is to write and tell stories. These engaging questions not only enhance their language skills but also encourage creativity and critical thinking. Exploring these captivating 1st-grade writing prompts helps children describe their thoughts and feelings clearly, fostering a lifelong love for writing. Check out some amazing prompts on online ghostwriting websites to make the writing journey even more exciting!

Secondly, when it comes to 2nd-grade students, engaging them in writing can be a delightful and educational experience. Hence, here are some creative and age-appropriate 2nd-grade writing prompts that will spark their imagination and help them express their thoughts effectively:

• My Favorite Animal: Describe your favorite animal and why you like it the most.
• A Magic Adventure:  Imagine you find a magic wand that can take you anywhere. Write about the exciting adventure you’d embark on.
• If I Were a Superhero:  If you were a superhero, what would your powers be, and how would you use them to help others?
• The Enchanted Forest:  Write a story about a magical forest where everything is possible.
• My Dream Vacation:  Describe your dream vacation destination and all the fun activities you would do there.
• The Talking Pet:  If your pet could talk, what do you think it would say? Write a conversation between you and your talking pet.
• The Friendly Alien:  Imagine an alien comes to visit Earth. Write about the friendship you build with this extraterrestrial visitor.
• A Day Without Rules:  What would happen if there were no rules for a day? Describe the exciting and chaotic events that might occur.
• The Gigantic Ice Cream:  You find a gigantic ice cream cone. Write about the adventure of eating it before it melts.
• The Time Machine:  If you had a time machine, which period would you visit, and what would you do there?

Remember, these writing prompts are meant to be fun and imaginative. Encourage your 2nd-graders to let their creativity flow and enjoy the process of writing. Prompts allow young minds to explore their thoughts, develop writing skills, and communicate effectively. Hopefully, by incorporating engaging and age-appropriate prompts, educators can create an environment that fosters creativity and critical thinking among students.

Then, as students progress into 3rd grade, their writing skills continue to evolve, making it essential to provide them with engaging and age-appropriate writing prompts. So, these 3rd-grade writing prompts aim to foster creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression in young learners. Let’s explore some exciting topics that will inspire these budding writers:

• My Favorite Superhero: Describe your favorite superhero and explain why they are special to you.
• A Magical Adventure:  Write a story about a magical adventure you have with your best friend.
• If I Were President:  Imagine you were the president of your country. What changes would you make?
• The Talking Animal:  Create a tale about an animal that can talk and the adventures you both embark on.
• My Dream Vacation:  Describe your dream vacation destination and everything you would do there.
• The Mysterious Door:  Write a story about finding a mysterious door in your house that leads to a magical land.
• If I Had a Robot:  Imagine you have a robot that can do anything you want. What would you ask it to do?
• The Enchanted Forest:  Describe what you encounter on a journey through an enchanted forest.
• The Day I Met an Alien:  Write about a surprising encounter with an alien from another planet.
• My Special Talent:  Describe a talent or skill that makes you unique.

These 3rd-grade writing prompts are designed to spark the imaginations of young writers and encourage them to express their thoughts and ideas confidently. As they explore these captivating topics, students will improve their writing skills and develop critical thinking and communication abilities. So, by providing a supportive and creative environment, we can nurture a love for writing in these young minds, setting them on a path of lifelong learning and self-discovery.

Now, in the 4th grade, students get better at writing about what they think and how they feel. So, here are some fun writing 4th-grade writing prompts that will help them improve their creativity and ability to think critically:

• A Time Capsule Adventure: Imagine burying a time capsule with items representing your life. What would you include, and why? Write a letter to someone who might discover your time capsule.
• The Magical Door: One day, you discover a magical door that leads to a mysterious world. Describe what you find on the other side and the adventures that await you.
• The Superhero Within: If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it to improve the world? Create a story about your superhero alter ego.
• The Unusual Pet: You wake up one morning to find a peculiar creature at your doorstep. Describe your new pet, its special abilities, and the bond you develop with it.
• The Lost in Time: While exploring your attic, you stumble upon a mysterious antique watch. When you put it on, you are transported to a different period. Write about your adventures in the past.
• The Inventor’s Dream: You wake up one morning as a brilliant inventor with the power to create anything you imagine. Describe the fantastic inventions you would bring to life.
• The Talking Animals: One day, you discover that animals can suddenly talk and understand human language. Write about your conversations with your pets and other animals in your neighborhood.
• The Haunted House: You decide to explore an old abandoned house in your neighborhood, which is rumored to be haunted. Describe the spine-chilling experiences you encounter during your visit.
• The Time-Traveling Adventure: You find a magical time-traveling device that allows you to visit any historical event or era. Where would you go, and what would you do during your travels?
• The Missing Treasure: While digging in your backyard, you stumble upon an ancient treasure map. Write about your quest to find the missing treasure, challenges, and ultimate discovery.

Writing prompts for 4th grade are an important way to help young students develop their creativity, critical thought, and writing skills. These fun 4th-grade writing prompts urge kids to use their imaginations, say what they think, and find their voices as writers at audiobook service . Hence, by giving them a wide range of interesting topics, we give them the tools they need to become confident and skilled writers.

The last in elementary school, the 5th grade, is a crucial stage in a student’s academic journey, where they are transitioning to more complex topics and refining their writing skills. To aid their development and encourage self-expression, here are some captivating 5th-grade writing prompts:

• The Time Machine:  Imagine you discover a time machine in your school’s library. Write a story about your adventure and the historical period you visit.
• The Friendly Alien:  A friendly alien lands in your backyard one day. Write a narrative describing your encounter and the fun-filled day you spent together.
• The Magical Portal:  While exploring the woods, you stumble upon a magical portal that leads to another world. Describe the new realm you enter and the fantastical creatures you encounter.
• The Talking Animal:  You wake up one morning to find your pet dog or cat can suddenly talk. Describe your conversations and the hilarious situations that arise.
• The Inventor’s Workshop:  Design and describe the most fantastic invention you can think of. Explain how it works and the incredible impact it has on the world.
• The Superpower Swap:  If you could swap superpowers with any fictional superhero, who would it be and why? Describe the thrilling adventures you would have with your new abilities.
• The Lost Treasure:  You stumble upon a treasure map on a family vacation. Write a story detailing your quest to find the hidden treasure and the challenges you overcome.
• The Haunted House: You and your friends decide to explore a supposedly haunted house in your neighborhood. Describe the spine-chilling events that unfold during your spooky adventure.
• The Uninhabited Island:  You find yourself stranded on an uninhabited island after a shipwreck. Describe how you survive and the exciting discoveries you make on the island.
• The Future City:  Envision what the city of the future would look like. Describe its advanced technology, eco-friendly features, and the benefits it brings to its citizens.

These 5th-grade writing prompts are designed to engage young minds and spark creativity. They provide an opportunity for students to explore various genres of writing, from narratives to imaginative stories. By encouraging 5th-graders to express themselves through writing, we can nurture their love for language and storytelling, setting them on a path to becoming skilled and professional article writers .

Remember, the journey of writing is a joyous one, and with these prompts, 5th-graders can embark on exciting adventures of the mind, creating stories that will captivate both their imagination and the hearts of their readers.

Opinion writing tasks allow students to clearly express what they think and believe. This helps them develop critical thinking and persuasion skills.

Yes, of course! These writing ideas are for kids as young as 1st graders and as old as 5th graders. They are meant to get kids to be creative and express themselves.

When students write about their opinions, they learn important life skills like communicating well and having self-confidence. These skills will help them in school and the future.

Of course! The 50 writing prompts cover a wide range of topics, from environmental problems to the effects of technology, encouraging young writers to try different types of writing.

Opinion writing prompts for middle school and elementary play a crucial role in empowering young students to express their thoughts, beliefs, and views effectively. By providing diverse, engaging topics, we can spark their imaginations and encourage them to explore their creativity. Opinion writing is more than just putting words on paper; it is a journey of self-discovery and critical thinking.

As educators, parents, and guides, we must equip our young writers with the right tools to excel in expressing themselves. So, let’s continue to encourage and nurture the love for writing in our young students. Indeed, by providing them with creative and thought-provoking writing prompts for middle school and elementary, hopefully, we can cultivate a generation of confident writers, critical thinkers, and empathetic individuals who will shape a brighter future for us all.

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49 Opinion Writing Prompts for Students

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One of the most common essay types is the opinion, or persuasive, essay. In an opinion essay , the writer states a point of view, then provides facts and reasoned arguments to support that viewpoint. The goal of the essay is to convince the reader to share the writer’s opinion.

Students aren't always aware of how many strong opinions they already hold. Use the following opinion writing prompts to inspire them to start thinking and writing persuasively.

Prompts About School and Sports

School- and sports-related topics often elicit strong opinions in students. Use these writing prompts to kick off the brainstorming process.

• Ch-ch-ch-changes . What is one thing about your school that needs to change? Is bullying an issue? Do students need longer breaks or a dress code? Choose one vital issue that needs to change and convince school leaders to make it happen.
• Special guest. Your school is trying to decide on a famous person to give a speech or presentation to students. Who do you think they should choose? Write an essay to convince your principal.
• Oxford or bust. Is the Oxford comma essential or obsolete?
• Scribble scrabble. Do students still need to learn cursive handwriting?
• Co-ed conflict. Would students perform better if more schools were single-gender rather than co-ed? Why or why not?
• Participation awards. Should there be winners and losers in sports, or is participation the ultimate goal?
• Homework overload. Write an essay to convince your teacher to assign less homework.
• Sports. Which sport (or team) is the best? What makes it better than the others?
• No slacking . Write an essay persuading a fellow student to do their homework.
• Class trip. This year, students get to vote on where to go for a class trip. Write an essay convincing your fellow students to vote for the place you’d like to go.
• Superlatives. Which would you rather be: a top student, a talented athlete, or an accomplished artist?
• Virtual athletes . Video games competitions are often aired on TV and treated like sports competitions. Should video games be considered sports?
• Class debate. Should classes that students may not use or that don’t interest them (such as physical education or foreign language) be required?

Prompts About Relationships

Friendships, dating, and other relationships can be both rewarding and exasperating. These writing prompts about relationships will help students explore their feelings about both the positive and the negative moments.

• Snitch. Your best friend tells you about his plan to cheat on a test. Should you tell an adult? Why or why not?
• Give it a chance. Your best friend is convinced that she would hate your favorite book, even though she's never read it. Convince her to read it.
• Friendships vs. relationships. Are friendships or romantic relationships more important in life? Why?
• Driving age. What age do kids start driving in your state? Is that age too old, too young, or just right? Why?
• Truth or consequences. Your best friend asks your opinion about something, but you know that a truthful answer will hurt her feelings. What do you do?
• Who chooses? Your best friend is visiting, and you want to watch TV together, but his favorite show is at the same time as your favorite show. Convince him that your show is a better choice.
• Fun times. What is the most fun thing you and your best friend have ever experienced together? Why does it deserve the top spot?
• Dating. Are long-term dating relationships good or bad for teens?
• New friends. You want to spend time with a new student at school, but your best friend is jealous. Convince your friend of the importance of including the newcomer.
• Be mine. Is Valentine’s Day worthwhile or just a scheme for the greeting card and chocolate industry to make more money?
• Debbie Downer. Should you cut ties with friends or relatives who are always negative?
• He loves me not. Is it really better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?
• Elders. Should you respect your elders merely because they are older, or is respect something that must be earned?

Prompts About Family, Pets, and Leisure Time

The following writing prompts related to family, furry friends, and free time will help students reflect on preferences, ethics, and integrity.

• Self-reflection. This time, you're the one who needs convincing! Write an essay to persuade yourself to start a healthy habit (or kick a bad habit).
• Paper wars. Should toilet paper hang with the loose end resting on the top of the roll or hanging from the bottom?
• Movie vs. book. Choose a book that has been made into a movie. Which version is better, and why?
• Weekend wanderings . Do you prefer to stay home on the weekends or get out and do things around town? Write an essay to convince your parents to let you do what you prefer this weekend.
• Sweepstakes. A travel agency is hosting an essay contest to give away an all-expenses-paid trip to the one place in the world you’d most love to visit. Craft a winning essay that convinces them they need to choose you.
• Zoo debate. Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos? Why or why not?
• Presence of pets. Should there be limits on the types of places pets can go (e.g. airplanes or restaurants)? Why or why not?
• Inspiring stories. What is the most inspiring book you’ve ever read? Why is it so inspiring?
• Dollar discovery. You find a $20 bill in the parking lot of a crowded store. Is it okay to keep it, or should you turn it in to customer service?
• Vacation day. What is the very best way to spend an unexpected day off from school and why is it the best?
• Digital or print? Is it better to read books in print or digitally? Why?

Prompts About Society and Technology

The people and technology around us have a significant impact on our lives. These writing prompts encourage students to consider the effect that society and technological advances have on our day-to-day lives.

• Reverse technology. Pick one technological advancement that you think the world would be better off without. Explain your reasoning and persuade the reader.
• Out of this world . Do aliens exist? Why or why not?
• Social media. Is social media good or bad for society? Why?
• Emoji. Has the use of emoji stunted our ability to express ourselves in writing, or does it help us identify our emotions more precisely?
• Auto safety. Have advancements like self-driving cars, blind spot indicators, and lane departure warning systems made driving safer, or have they just made drivers less attentive?
• Exploration Mars. Write a letter to Elon Musk convincing him that you should be part of a colony to Mars.
• Fundraisers. Is it okay for kids to stand outside stores and ask shoppers for money for their sports teams, clubs, or band? Why or why not?
• Inventions. What is the greatest invention ever made? Why is it the best?
• Important cause. In your opinion, what global problem or issue deserves more attention than it currently receives? Why should more time and money be invested in this cause?
• Minimalism. Does living a minimalist lifestyle make for a happier life? Why or why not?
• Gaming gains. Are video games generally a positive or a negative influence? Why?
• Rose-colored glasses. Is the current decade the best era in history? Why or why not?
• Paper or plastic. Should plastic bags be outlawed?
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94 Argumentative Essay Topics For Middle School: Protocols, Health, Politics, And More

January 4, 2024 //  by  Brittany Ray

Middle schoolers are always ready for a feisty debate and to argue their points! This list of excellent argumentative essay topics for middle school is sure to give your students the practice they need in getting their arguments down on paper, in a persuasive way. With a variety of topics ranging from whether or not to outlaw animal testing to debating a 3-day weekend, this curated collection will give your kiddos lots of fun choices to explore! Take a look and see which topics are sure to spark some interest in your classroom!

School Rules and Policies

1. should cell phones be allowed at school.

2. Should gym class (physical education) be a requirement?

3. Explain why or why not: Should students have homework on weekends?

4. Should the school day be extended in exchange for a long weekend?

5. Do you feel the government should dictate what you get for school lunch?

6. Do you believe brick-and-mortar schools are still necessary for today’s post-pandemic society?

7. Is the student-per-class limit too high?

8. Should high school students be required to take a civics exam before graduation?

9. Should school security be improved?

10. Should students be allowed to use smartwatches during examinations?

11. Should there be a limit to the amount of homework a school can assign to students?

12. Is the traditional grading system effective, or does it need an overhaul?

13. Should schools offer more extracurricular activities to cater to diverse interests?

14. Do schools place too much emphasis on sports and athletes at the expense of academic pursuits?

15. Explain your stance as to whether schools should or should not require students to wear uniforms.

16. Do you believe that school field trips are beneficial or merely recreational?

17. Should students be required to learn a second language starting in middle school?

18. Should the government have the ability to ban certain books in the classroom?

19. Should school cafeterias serve exclusively vegetarian meals to promote health?

20. Should schools have mandatory classes on financial literacy?

21. Should schools have strict policies against cyberbullying?

22. Should schools have mandatory mental health classes and counseling sessions?

23. Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?

24. Should schools have mindfulness and meditation sessions as part of the daily routine?

25. Should schools emphasize more on teaching critical thinking skills rather than just memorizing things?

26. Should there be more emphasis on vocational training in middle school?

27. Should students be taught the dangers of misinformation and “fake news” as part of their curriculum?

28. Should schools introduce mandatory community service as part of the curriculum?

29. Should schools allow students to bring their pets to school?

30. Should schools be allowed to monitor students’ online activities?

31. Should education about global warming and environmental conservation be a mandatory part of the curriculum?

32. Should schools introduce more practical skills courses like basic cooking, sewing, or home repair?

33. Do school dress codes infringe on personal expression?

34. Should middle school students be allowed to bring and use laptops in class?

35. Is homeschooling a better option than traditional schooling for some students?

36. Is learning to write in cursive still a necessary skill in the digital age?

37. Should school libraries invest in more digital resources or in physical books?

38. Should students be taught about controversial historical figures objectively or with a critical lens?

39. Should students have a more significant say in the creation of school rules and policies?

40. Do schools focus too much on college preparation at the expense of life skills?

41. Should parents be held more accountable for their children’s misbehavior at school?

42. Are parent-teacher conferences still effective or have they become outdated?

43. Should middle schools have later start times to accommodate adolescent sleep patterns?

College Admission and Tuition 

44. should excellent grades guarantee a scholarship.

45. Should a college degree earned through online education have the same worth as a degree earned at a brick-and-mortar university?

46. Do you feel art courses should be a required part of earning a college degree?

47. Should college admission criteria be less stringent?

48. Should college athletes be paid?

49. Do you believe that a college education is necessary for everyone?

50. Should public education at the college level be tuition-free?

Health and Wellbeing

51. do parents put too much pressure on their children to excel academically.

52. Should cigarettes be illegal?

53. Should employers have the right to require a Covid-19 vaccine?

54. Is milk beneficial to a person’s health?

55. Are hot dogs bad for you?

56. Do you agree or disagree that parents should be held responsible for childhood obesity?

57. Should the FDA allow GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) in our food?

58. Does the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) do a good job of regulating the production of food?

59. Should junk food advertisements be banned during children’s TV shows?

60. Should students be allowed to take “mental health days” off from school?

Government, Politics, and Civic Responsibilities

61. do you think electronic voting machines make the election procedure fair or unfair.

62. Explain whether or not the Electoral College should be eliminated.

63. Should the government have more say in what is or is not “fake news”?

64. Should a felon have the right to vote?

65. Should all political offices have term limits?

66. Should the voting age be lowered?

67. The moral stain of the slavery of African American people in early American History is undoubtedly present. Do you feel the government promotes hate or love with the way it currently speaks about racism?

68. Should the minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour?

69. Should the government have more strict gun control policies?

70. With the separation of church and state, should churches be exempt from paying taxes?

71. Do you feel undocumented immigrants should be granted all the same rights as naturalized citizens?

72. Have Native American communities been given proper reparations for the United States’ long history of seizing land?

73. Do you think that the government should do more to fight against human trafficking?

Environmental and Moral Issues

74. is climate change something we can truly make a difference with.

75. If protecting the environment is of utmost importance, should bottled water be banned?

76. Should exotic animals be kept in captivity?

77. Explain your stance on whether wind farms are a good or bad idea.

78. Do “participation trophies” diminish the value of real achievement?

79. Should there be harsher punishments for bullying?

80. Explain whether or not animal testing should be outlawed.

81. Should the death penalty exist?

82. Should an individual be able to keep wild animals as pets if they have the means to care for them?

83. Do curfews for teenagers prevent them from getting in trouble or infringe on personal freedom?

84. Is scientific research on cloning DNA ethical?

85. Is daylight saving something the U.S. should keep, or should it be abolished?

86. Should schools ban single-use plastics?

Digital and Media

87. do children currently have too much screen time, and is it harmful.

88. Do you believe that the media and/or social media negatively impact body image among teens?

89. Do social media platforms need stricter age verification processes?

90. Should parents have access to their children’s social media accounts for monitoring purposes?

91. Should parents limit the time their children spend on video games?

92. Should violent video games be banned in the United States?

93. Do violent cartoons and animations impact a child’s behavior negatively?

94. Do video games have educational potential or are they merely distractions?

Are you having trouble thinking of some great opinion writing topics for your students to use during writing block or writer’s workshop? Many prompts have already been used year after year. I created a list of 50 opinion writing prompts that will get your kids thinking and may even spark some new ideas for you. Take a look at these fun topics and see what your creative kids can come up with!

In this blog post, I share 5 different category topics of opinion writing ideas to choose from. You will find 10 ideas in each category and once finished, you will walk away with FIFTY opinion writing prompt ideas! Fill out the form below to have all 50 sent to you in an easy, printable list that will help simplify your lesson planning! Get ready for an opinion writing template that will blow your mind.

50 Opinion Writing Prompt Ideas!

This FREE printable list of 50 opinion writing prompts ideas can be sent straight to your inbox! Simply drop your personal email address below & I’ll send it right over! 

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Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on these opinion essay topics for your kids. Kids of all ages will enjoy these opinion writing prompts first grade and beyond.

Prompts About Entertainment and Hobbies

A few opinion essay topics for students include the best place to vacation, the greatest movie ever made, the best sport to play, their favorite board game, or the best T.V. show at the time. Use these fun opinion writing prompts to spark creativity in your students’ writing. Some of these are great opinion questions for kids during discussions as well.

• If you could choose anywhere in the world to go on vacation, where would you choose and why?
• In your opinion, what was the best movie ever made and why?
• Based on the sports you enjoy, which is the best sport to play?
• If you had to play a board game with a family member or friends, which would you choose?
• What is your current favorite T.V. show and why?
• If you have a favorite place to go, where is it and why?
• In your opinion, what is something everyone should learn do to?
• Which is better, cooking or baking? Tell us why you think that.
• What is the best sport to watch someone else play? Why?
• Tell us about your favorite thing to do in the winter and why.

Prompts about Family and Friends

All kids love writing about their loved ones. These opinion writing prompts are a great way to let students express their opinions and share their home life with the class. Grab your writing paper and check these out!

• How does a family member or friend make you feel loved, and why?
• Share your Mother or Father’s superpower. What makes you think they have this superpower?
• What is the nicest thing a friend could do for you?
• In your opinion, who is the strongest person in your family and why?
• Which of your friends would be the best person to take to the zoo and why?
• Of all of your friends, which would you take to see a superhero movie and why?
• Are you a middle child, an only child, or something else in your family tree? Do you like your position in your family tree?
• Which friend or family member gives you the best hugs? Tell us about them!
• What is a great trait for a friend to have? Traits might include being a good listener, a great hugger, or someone who is creative.
• Would you like to have a pen pal? Why or why not?

Prompts about School and Extracurricular Activities

Kids have wonderful opinions about school and their extracurricular activities, so they will thoroughly enjoy these opinion writing prompts. You will love hearing their thoughts about topics like: should kids have more or less homework, should kids have more or less recess, and uniforms in school.

• What is something you like to do when you are not at school and why might others like it as well?
• What is the best thing about the school playground and why?
• In your opinion, should kids have more or less homework?
• Do you think kids should be allowed more recess time? Why or why not?
• Should kids have to wear uniforms in school? Why or why not?
• What is a school special (music, dance, art) that you wish were offered at your school and why?
• If there was one lunch item you could add to the menu every day, what would it be?
• Which subject is your favorite and why?
• Should school go year-round? Why or why not?
• What is the best way to start the day in the classroom? Tell us about it and why it’s the best way.

Prompts about Favorite and Least Favorite Items

These opinion writing prompts are focused on favorite and least favorite items. Students get to write about their favorite foods, drinks, songs, and their least favorite vegetables. They will love sharing some of their favorites and some things they don’t love as much.

• Tell us what your least favorite vegetable is and why.
• Share your favorite candy and why it is your favorite.
• If you could bring one toy for show and tell what would it be and why?
• What is your favorite ice cream flavor and why?
• Which book could you read over and over again?
• If you had to eat one vegetable for the rest of your life, which would it be?
• Which season is your favorite and why?
• What is your favorite song at the moment and why?
• Do you have a favorite drink? What is it and why?
• What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Want access to all of these prompts to use in your classroom? Just fill out the form below for access.

Prompts about Pets and Animals

Allow your students to put their thoughts to paper as they consider their pets and favorite animals with these opinion writing prompts. Let them explore favorite pets, the coolest animals, and even made-up animals.

• Convince your parents to let you have a special pet. Choose an animal you would love to have as a pet and tell us why they would make an amazing pet.
• Do you think cats should be able to live indoors and outdoors or one or the other?
• What is the coolest animal you have ever seen?
• Which animal is your favorite and why?
• Are there any animals that would make horrible pets? If so, choose one and tell us why.
• Pick one ocean animal. Why is it the coolest ocean animal of them all?
• If you could create your own pet, what would it be and why? (Think about a half-dog so it can bark and a half-lizard so it can catch bugs with its tongue.)
• Are there any animals you are afraid of? If so, which one and why?
• Think of an animal you would love to encounter in real life. Which animal is it and why?
• What is an animal trait you would love to have for yourself? Maybe you would like to fly like a bird or slither like a snake. Tell us why.

Opinion writing can be such a fun task for elementary students. They get to express their thoughts on paper and share them with the class. It’s always fun to hear their ideas. Using these 50 opinion writing prompt ideas is a fantastic way to get their creative juices flowing as they practice paragraph writing fluency. I hope you and your students love these opinion writing activities and can benefit from them while teaching opinion writing.

Try my Weekly Writing Prompts as well! These opinion writing worksheets are a great way to practice weekly. They are perfect for the classroom and come in print and digital downloads. Who knows, they may even spark more good opinion essay topics.

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20+ opinion writing prompts

Use these opinion or argumentative writing prompts to help your students to state a point of view, and then provide facts and reasoned arguments to support that viewpoint. The goal of this kind of writing is to convince the reader to share the writer's opinion.

Opinion Writing Prompt examples:

• What animal would judge us the most? Write a scene (based on truth or fiction) where two or more people are doing something silly, and they're being observed and criticized by animals.
• Can honesty honestly be bad? Write about someone, fact or fiction, who gets in trouble for being too truthful.
• Should books ever be banned? Discuss. If no, explain why. You might want to look at a list of commonly banned books. If yes, explain under what circumstances.
• Imagine a moral dilemma (for example, you see someone shoplift or a friend tells a blatant lie to her parents about where she was last night) and explain what you would do and why you would do it.
• According to a Czechoslovakian proverb, “Better a lie that soothes than a truth that hurts.” Agree or disagree? Explain.
• List 10 places in the world that you would most like to visit, 10 places you’ve been, and 10 places you would never want to go.
• Should students be able to grade their teachers?
• Does gym help students perform better in all their classes?
• How big a problem is bullying or cyberbullying in your school or community?
• Does technology make us more alone?
• Is online learning as good as face-to-face learning?
• What role will robots play in our future?
• What current musicians do you think will stand the test of time?
• Should video games be considered a sport?
• To what writer would you award a prize?
• Is school designed more for girls than boys?
• Why aren’t more girls choosing to pursue careers in math and science?
• Do boys have less intense friendships than girls?
• When do you become an adult?
• Is it ethical to eat meat?
• Can money buy you happiness?
• Is kindness cool?

Many students face challenges in expressing their thoughts and opinions on paper

Read&Write is a literacy support tool that helps students express their thoughts and opinions through words. Your students can use tools in Read&Write like Check It, Talk and Type, and the text and picture dictionaries to help develop their confidence in writing.

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Scaffolding an Opinion Writing Essay With Frames and Templates

Teaching opinion writing to your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students soon?  Use the sentence starters and paragraph frames below in your lessons to help students structure their writing, use transitional words, stay on topic, and support their opinions.

Templates like the examples below are a great way to introduce opinion writing.  The hope is that eventually, students will go on to write without a provided outline and add a little of their own personality to their writing, but starting off with a clear structure helps students learn to become better writers.

Start Small - With Opinion Writing Sentence Starters or Frames

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students love giving their opinions, so help them structure their opinions with sentence starters and frames. This is a great way to introduce opinion writing and doesn't frustrate students.

Providing structure is especially beneficial for your ELL and low language students, but ALL students can improve their writing with this scaffolding.

Some example sentence starters are below.  Depending on the topic being discussed and the opinion being shared, not all sentence frames will work in all situations.  Adapt them for your particular scenario!

Example Sentence Starters

• In my opinion, _____ is better than _____ because _____.
• The best thing about _____ is _____.
• I am strongly against _____ because _____.
• Although some people believe _____, I believe _____.
• Ever since _____, I have believed _____.

Using a Paragraph Template or Frame

Example paragraph frames.

In my opinion, __________ is better than __________ because __________.  For example, _______________.  Furthermore, _______________.  Clearly, _______________ is the worse option.

I prefer __________ because __________.  For instance, _______________.  Also, _______________.  Finally, _______________.

Opinion Writing Essay Template / Structure / Outline

Going from writing paragraphs to writing an entire essay can be overwhelming for upper elementary students - and middle school students as well!

Modeling how to write an opinion essay is an essential first step.  (My Scaffolded Opinion Writing Resource includes a teacher model to make this easy for you.)

After modeling an opinion essay, provide students with an opinion writing template/outline to help them structure their own writing.  This will help students stay on topic, use transitional words, and provide support for their opinions.  And, most importantly, it will keep students from feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

If you know your students would benefit from this type of scaffolding but don’t have the time to create it yourself, check out my Scaffolded Opinion Writing Resource.

It walks students through the writing process with support each step of the way. This resource also provides a model essay so that you can model expectations for your students. Plus, it can be used over and over again with different topics.

If you found these opinion writing tips to be useful, then you will probably like these tips for teaching students how to write a compare and contrast essay. 

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33 Mentor Texts for Opinion Writing

Show kids how powerful sharing ideas in writing can be.

In today’s world, we want our teaching to inspire students to be forward thinkers and changemakers. Teaching them how to share their opinions in writing is a key ingredient. Let’s get kids making signs and writing letters, lists, reviews, essays, blog posts, and speeches! Check out some of our favorite opinion-writing mentor texts to bring this important genre to life for kids. We’ve got plenty of picture books for the younger set, and titles to help older kids make the leap to persuasive writing backed by researched facts.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. We Disagree by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

A mouse and a squirrel think differently about, well, everything. Can they ever be friends? This is such a cute title for introducing kids to what it means to share an opinion, and it could lead to plenty of writing prompts to open an opinion-writing unit.

Buy it: We Disagree on Amazon

2. I Love Insects by Lizzy Rockwell

This early reader should definitely be in your primary classroom collection of opinion-writing mentor texts to help introduce the genre. Do you love insects? Two kids give competing reasons for why and why not. Read it aloud and head straight into shared writing of a list of pros and cons.

Buy it: I Love Insects on Amazon

3. Usha and the Big Digger by Amitha Jagannath Knight

To introduce kids to opinion writing, you need opinion-writing mentor texts to teach them what “opinions” are—and Usha, Aarti, and Gloria have them in this book! They each see something different when they look at the stars. This book could lead to a great introduction activity in which students try to convince each other that they see the Big Dipper, a “Big Digger,” a “Big Kite …” or something else. (Hint: It’s all in your perspective!)

Buy it: Usha and the Big Digger on Amazon

 4. Don’t Feed the Bear by Kathleen Doherty

When a park ranger puts up a “Don’t Feed the Bear” reminder, he has no idea about the persuasive sign-writing battle he’ll set in motion. (Strategic language includes “Please feed the ranger rotten eggs and slimy spinach.”) Share this hilarious title to introduce students to using signs to influence others’ thinking.

Buy it: Don’t Feed the Bear on Amazon

5. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

Let a favorite character guide young students in the art of persuasion. The bus driver does not want Pigeon in the driver’s seat, but the well-known bird builds an emotional and unrelenting case.

Buy it: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! on Amazon

6. Our Favorite Day of the Year by A.E. Ali

We adore sharing this book with young students to open inclusive conversations about favorite holidays and traditions. Each student in Musa’s class shares about their favorite day of the year, from Eid Al-Fitr to Pi Day. Use this book to prompt kids to write their own opinion pieces about their favorite days, and to model how reasoning, information, and anecdotes can support one’s opinion.

Buy it: Our Favorite Day of the Year on Amazon

7. Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris

This true story from Kamala Harris’ childhood details how she and her sister wrote letters to their landlord until he agreed to let them build a playground in their apartment complex courtyard. Get kids excited about how their opinion writing could create real change!

Buy it: Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea on Amazon

8. If I Were President by Trygve Skaug

A young boy talks at length about what he’d do differently if he ran the country. Maybe cars could run on legs instead of gasoline, and “playing” should be a subject taught in school. Share this with kids who need more ideas for opinion-writing topics!

Buy it: If I Were President on Amazon

9. The Little Book of Little Activists by Penguin Young Readers

Introduce young students to the idea of activism and its connection to opinion writing. This inspiring photo essay includes examples of kids’ opinions about real-life causes and many written signs.

Buy it: The Little Book of Activists on Amazon

10. The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan

This protagonist is a toddler on a mission—a mission to kick her dad out of her parents’ bed so she can sleep with her mom. Use this little girl’s precocious modeling to show students how to polish their own opinion writing by adding visual supports.

Buy it: The Big Bed on Amazon

11. The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini

Elizabeth crafts a plan to convince her parents to let her have a pet, with unexpected—but pleasing—results. This is our favorite opinion-writing mentor text for introducing kids to win-win solutions and encouraging them to suggest them in their own opinion writing.

Buy it: The Perfect Pet on Amazon

12. & 13. Can I Be Your Dog? and I Found a Kitty! by Troy Cummings

First, read a collection of persuasive letters from a lonely dog seeking an owner that’s a twist on kids’ pet requests. Each letter is tailored to a specific audience, with Arfy promising to lick things clean, protect, and deliver endless affection.

In the sequel, Arfy uses his persuasive skills to help someone else, a lovable stray kitten. Notice with students how he once again shapes his reasoning for each recipient—and how he doesn’t give up until he’s successful!

Buy it: Can I Be Your Dog? on Amazon

Buy it: I Found a Kitty! on Amazon

14. True You: A Gender Journey by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotner

This delightful and important title stars real kids with a full range of gender identities. Each child introduces themselves in a speech bubble that shares their opinion about gender identity. Use this title to model talking to the reader using strong, direct language.

Buy it: True You: A Gender Journey on Amazon

15. Stella Writes an Opinion by Janiel Wagstaff

Sometimes you want perfectly straightforward opinion-writing mentor texts that match right up with your teaching goals. Stella thinks second graders should be able to have a morning snack time. She sets out to write about her opinion, state her reasons, and ends with a compelling summation.

Buy it: Stella Writes an Opinion on Amazon

16. I Wanna New Room by Karen Kaufman Orloff

After his successful angling for a pet in I Wanna Iguana , Alex tries using note-writing to broach his next request: a room of his own, away from his pesky younger brother. The parent-child communication includes plenty of examples of making and responding to counterarguments.

Buy it: I Wanna New Room on Amazon

17. Be Glad Your Dad … Is Not an Octopus! by Matthew Logelin and Sara Jensen

This author’s opinion is that you should appreciate your dad for who he is. He makes his case with plenty of arguments grounded in facts—facts that show that if your dad were an animal, he could be even more gross, embarrassing, or annoying!

Buy it: Be Glad Your Dad … Is Not an Octopus! on Amazon

18. Earrings! by Judith Viorst

A young girl desperately wants her ears pierced, but her parents respond to her begging with a firm no. Ask students to evaluate the merits of her various arguments. Which are strong? Which are just whiny?

Buy it: Earrings! on Amazon

19. Pick a Picture, Write an Opinion! by Kristen McCurry

If you’re looking for opinion-writing mentor texts that lay it all out there explicitly, you’ll appreciate this resource. Engaging, diverse photos and topics, a kid-friendly tone, and explicit advice make this a helpful primer to accompany more conventional mentor texts.

Buy it: Pick a Picture, Write an Opinion! on Amazon

20. I Hate My Cats (A Love Story) by Davide Cali

This narrator has plenty of reasons to dislike his self-centered cats, which he outlines in specific detail. Use this title as an example of a multi-pronged argument. (Plus, show that sometimes, opinion writing actually leads us to change our own minds. By the end, the owner realizes he actually loves his pets, quirks and all.)

Buy it: I Hate My Cats (A Love Story) on Amazon

21. I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t by Diane Dillon

Zoe makes big plans for her future, from being an archaeologist to a veterinarian. She quiets self-doubt with confident arguments. Aside from sharing this title’s lovely, affirming message, use it to teach kids to anticipate tough questions and head them off convincingly in their opinion writing.

Buy it: I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t on Amazon

22. Rise Up and Write It by Nandini Ahuja

Farah Patel works to convince her local government to improve a vacant lot to benefit her community. Great realistic examples of using letters and signs to inspire change!

Buy it: Rise Up and Write It on Amazon

23. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

These disgruntled but endearing crayons have opinions, and they aren’t shy about making them known in this read-aloud favorite. Check out this free downloadable educator guide from the publisher for persuasive letter-writing curriculum connections.

Buy it: The Day the Crayons Quit on Amazon

24. Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating

The best opinion writing springs from genuine conviction. Eugenie Clark believed sharks were fascinating and  that women could be accomplished scientists who study them. Use this title to help students generate their own passion-fueled topics about which to write.

Buy it: Shark Lady on Amazon

25. What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers

Share this title for its inspiring message about the power of one citizen to evoke positive change through spoken words, writing, and action. Also consider it as an example of how words and art interact in opinion writing; the illustrations and text work together here to advance the book’s message.

Buy it: What Can a Citizen Do? on Amazon?

26. Dr. Coo and the Pigeon Protest by Sarah Hampson

Dr. Archibald Coo believes that pigeons don’t deserve their reputation as avian pests. He outlines a plan to change the minds of his city neighbors. Part of his approach is to send a persuasive letter to the mayor, suggesting creative, mutually beneficial agreements—a great example for student writers aiming to change the minds of authority figures.

Buy it: Dr. Coo and the Pigeon Protest on Amazon

27. The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

The animals in this classic read-aloud give a range of reasons their home shouldn’t be chopped down. Use them as examples of how to vary sentence structures and formats when listing arguments and how to use specific details to strengthen reasoning.

Buy it: The Great Kapok Tree on Amazon

28. Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson

This fictional account of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade, told from the point of view of a young participant, is a classroom must-read. It exemplifies how children’s actions can make a difference in an adult world and how powerful language strengthens a written message.

Buy it: Let the Children March on Amazon

29. No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley

This powerful title introduces inspiring and diverse young activists’ causes using original poems by notable authors. Show kids that impactful opinion writing can take many forms.

Buy it: No Voice Too Small on Amazon

30. The Week Junior magazine “Big Debate” feature

The Week Junior is one of our absolute favorite magazines for the classroom , and its “Big Debate” section is a main reason for that. Each issue examines both sides of an interesting topic, from whether we should eat Maine lobster, to if space exploration is worth the huge cost, to whether or not kids’ screen time should be restricted. Have kids study examples to get tips for their own opinion writing, and maybe even create their own “Big Debate.”

Buy it: The Week Junior

31. Planet Ocean: Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean by Patricia Newman

This is a fantastic resource for upper elementary and middle school classrooms moving from opinion writing to research-based persuasive writing. This mind-boggling look at the impact of trash on our oceans gives kids so many models for sharing one’s opinions, experiences, and knowledge to spark change. Embedded QR codes take readers straight to awesome examples of persuasive speeches and other cool resources that support the author’s message.

Buy it: Planet Ocean: Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean on Amazon

32. We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell

A classroom prepares to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with research projects that convey a clear message: Native Nations are still here! Besides being critical content for kids, this is a great example of how to use researched facts to support one’s opinion.

Buy it: We Are Still Here! on Amazon

33. Marley Dias Gets It Done and So Can You! by Marley Dias

Every middle school student should meet Marley Dias through this powerful account of her #1000blackgirlbooks campaign. It boasts plenty of practical advice for young activists. Pull text excerpts for mini-lessons about tailoring opinion writing to your audience. Marley writes straight to her peers.

Buy it: Marley Dias Gets It Done and So Can You! on Amazon

Excited to share these opinion-writing mentor texts? Also check out our favorite mentor texts for procedural and narrative writing.

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20 Prompts for Opinion Writing That Motivate Kids

When using prompts for opinion writing, students can express themselves and share their beliefs.  This automatically makes them more invested in their writing.  Read on to learn more about opinion writing including mentor texts, ideas, and assessments.  Plus you will find 20 prompts that will be sure to motivate and engage kids!

What is an Opinion Writing?

Opinion writing is used to convince or persuade the reader. The writer states their opinion and gives reasons to support it.  Facts or statistics can be used to provide supporting evidence. 

Examples for Opinion Writing

There are lots of helpful examples for opinion writing.  Below you will find a list of mentor texts for kids.  It’s beneficial to immerse students in the genre before and during a writing unit.  These books model effective writing strategies that can be incorporated into lessons.

Opinion Writing Mentor Text:

• I Love Insects by Lizzy Rockwell
• The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini 
• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt 
• Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose
• Red is Best by Kathy Stinson
• I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufman Orloff 
• Earrings by Judith Viorst
• The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

How to Teach Opinion Writing

It’s important for students to form their own opinions and understand their feelings.  So often kids just follow the opinion of someone else whether it be a parent, sibling, or friend.  Now is the time for kids to firmly state their opinion and not waver from it.  

Writers will need to give reasons for their opinion and provide supporting examples.  The number of reasons will depend on the grade level and the student’s abilities.  For first graders, you might require only one reason while third graders may need three reasons.  Decide what works best for your learners and create modifications as needed. 

Opinion Writing Outline

Below you will find an acronym to help students plan their opinion writing. They just need to remember the word OREO. It stands for opinion, reasons, examples, and opinion (restated again). For each reason given, a sentence follows with evidence or an example. This is a more detailed approach to writing a response. It works well for the upper grades or advanced students. Depending on the level, some writers may just be working on providing reasons and will later develop the skill of using supporting examples.

The example below uses one reason with supporting evidence. For each reason, the student should write an example. The acronym might look like OREREO for two reasons or OREREREO for three reasons. A little confusing, but you get the idea.

Example: Do you think teachers should give students homework?

O – In my opinion, students should not have homework.

R – They work so hard all day at school and need a break. 

E – Instead of focusing on more work kids should be able to go outside and play, do a sport, or do other fun activities.  

O – In conclusion, students work all day at school and should not have to do homework.

Sentence Starters

As students write, it may also be helpful to use sentence starters. Teachers can project these on the board, put them on an anchor chart, or print a version for writing notebooks. I also like to do a mini-lesson where I ask the kids what types of sentence starters work well for opinion writing and we create the list together. This process helps them retain the information better and they are more likely to apply it to their own writing.

Ideas for Opinion Writing

There are so many fun and creative ideas for opinion writing.  Kids really get into this writing unit because they feel that their opinion is valued and they are eager to share their knowledge.  It’s really empowering for them!

As an activity, the teacher can present a topic to the class and have students choose a side.  Then kids can debate and state their opinion with reasons.  This is always an exciting way to get the creative juices flowing and it will translate into their writing when they have to support their opinion.

Another idea is to use prompts for opinion writing. This engages the students and helps them get started. Prompts can be assigned by the teacher or students can choose from a list or choice board. Feel free to use the sentence starters below to generate ideas for writing prompts.

• Would you rather . . . 
• Which is more important . .  
• Do you prefer . . . 
• What is the best . . .
• What is your favorite . . . 
• Should . . .
• Imagine if . . . 

Prompts for Opinion Writing

Opinion writing prompts can be created by the teacher or the students. Sometimes students come up with better prompts than I ever could. Plus kids love knowing that a peer created the prompt they are going to write about. If you’re looking for some ideas, the list below has 20 motivating and engaging prompts for kids! Also, check out this blog post to learn more about narrative writing prompts: 20 Prompts for Narrative Writing That Spark Creativity

20 Motivating and Engaging Prompts:

• If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Give 3 or more reasons why.
• Should students be able to pick their own seats in class?
• Think of a present you really want.  Now convince someone to buy it for you.
• What is the best pet someone can get?
• Would you rather live somewhere that’s extremely hot or cold?
• Which sport is the best?  Give reasons to support your opinion.
• If you could visit any place, what would it be and why?
• Would you rather live on a rural farm or in a busy city?
• Imagine you could be the President for a day.  What would be the most important thing to do first?
• Which is more important?  Being a good speaker or a good listener?
• If the weather is nice, should kids be able to have their classes outside?
• Do you think kids should have more technology time or less?
• If you could see the world through colored glasses, which color would you choose and why?
• Should kids get money for doing chores or should they just do it to help out at home?
• Convince your teacher to get a class pet.  Tell which animal would be the best choice and why.
• Would you rather visit the moon or a planet?  Explain why.
• If there could only be one season, which would you choose?
• Should kids get to choose their own bedtime?
• Would you rather give a present or receive it?
• Imagine you could create the best dessert ever!  What would it be and why?

Opinion Writing Rubrics

After students have completed their writing, teachers are left with the difficult task of assessing it.  Assessments should be accurate and aligned with the Common Core Standards.  They also need to be helpful for the teacher and the students.  

This is when writing rubrics become extremely helpful as formal assessments. They can be used for benchmarks, progress reports, report cards, and conferences. Rubrics may also be shown to students in advance so they know what the expectations are and how they will be assessed.  

Below you will find three types of opinion writing rubrics.  Check out this blog post to learn more about student-friendly, teacher-friendly, and time-saving rubrics: 3 Types of Writing Rubrics for Effective Assessments

Opinion writing has the ability to engage and empower kids.  Students will be able to explain their thinking by giving reasons and examples.  Mentor texts, sentence starters, writing prompts, and rubrics are all helpful to use in the classroom. I know your kids will love writing and sharing their opinion pieces.

Did you grab your Free Writing Prompt Guide yet?  Writing prompts are perfect for morning work, writing time, centers, or as a homework assignment.  It will save you tons of time and energy. So click the link and grab the guide to get started!

Genre Based Prompts

Related Articles:

• 20 Prompts for Narrative Writing That Spark Creativity
• 7 Ways to Introduce Opinion Writing
• Opinion Writing Ideas and Resources
• 3 Easy to Implement Tips to Teach Opinion Writing

Angela Sutton

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Thanks for sharing. These are my favorite type of writing prompts to give to my students to see how creative they can get.

Yes! These kinds of prompts definitely get the creative juices flowing. The students always love to share their opinions with the class. Happy writing!

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2022-23 Student Opinion Writing Prompts

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175 Writing Prompts From the 2022-23 School Year Questions for Debate and Persuasive Writing 1. Does Social Media Harm Young People's Mental Health? 2. How Should Schools Respond to ChatGPT? 3. Should We Get Rid of Homework? 4. If You Were Mayor, What Problems Facing Your Community Would You Tackle? 5. Should All High School Students Have Part-Time Jobs? 6. What Is Our Responsibility to Lab Animals? 7. How Should Americans Deal With the Problem of Gun Violence? 8. What Is Your Reaction to the Recent Wave of Legislation That Seeks to Regulate the Lives of Transgender Youths? 9. Are A.I.-Generated Pictures Art? 10. Are Beauty Pageants Still Relevant? 11. How Should Adults Talk to Kids About Drugs? 12. What Is Your Reaction to the Growing Fight Over What Young People Can Read? 13. Should Teachers Provide Trigger Warnings for ‘Traumatic Content'? 14. What Should Free Speech Look Like on Campus? 15. What Are Your Thoughts on Uniforms and Strict Dress Codes? 16. Should You Have a Right to Be Rude? 17. Should the United States Ban TikTok? 18. Will A.I. Replace Pop Stars? 19. How Can We Bring an End to the ‘Epidemic of Loneliness'? 20. What New Rules Would Improve Your Favorite Sport? 21. How Much Do You Think It Matters Where You Go to College? 22. Is Homelessness an Issue Where You Live? 23. Do School Employees Deserve More Respect - 24. Should Old TV Shows Be Brought Back? and Pay? 25. Should More Sports Be Coed? 26. How Can Schools Engage Students Who Are at Risk of Dropping Out? 27. Do Bugs Deserve More Respect? 28. Should Classic Children's Books Be Updated for Today's Young Readers? 29. Should Award Shows Eliminate Gendered Categories? 30. If You Could Take On One Problem Facing Our World, What Would It Be? 31. What Are Your Thoughts About a Year of War in Ukraine? 32. If Artwork Offends People, Should It Be Removed? 33. College Athletes Can Now Be Paid. But Not All of Them Are Seeing Money. Is That Fair? 34. What Do You Think About the Controversy Surrounding the New A.P. Course on African American Studies? The New York Times Learning Network

35. Should More Teenagers Ditch Their Smartphones? 36. Is It Harder for Men and Boys to Make and Keep Friends? 37. Should Students Learn About Climate Change in School? 38. What Should Stores Do With Unsold Goods? 39. Would You Like to Work Among Robots Someday? 40. Should We All Go Cashless? 41. Should We Still Be Sending Astronauts to Space? 42. Do You Support Race-Conscious College Admissions Policies? 43. What Issues Are Most Important for You Leading Up to the Midterm Elections? 44. How Young Is Too Young for an Apple Watch? 45. What Is Your Reaction to the State of Abortion Rights in 2022? 46. What Is the Purpose of Teaching U.S. History? 47. Should Aaron Judge Be Considered the New Home Run King? 48. What Do You Think About the Controversy Surrounding the New A.P. Course on African American Studies? 49. Are Driverless Cars the Future of Transportation? 50. The Death of Tyre Nichols: A Place for Teenagers to Respond 51. If You Could Change the Laws of Nature, What Would You Change? 52. What Are Your Reactions to the Results of the Midterm Elections? 53. Should Period Products Be Free? 54. Should the Government Cancel Student Debt? 55. Should More Parents Play Video Games With Their Kids? 56. How Far Is Too Far in the Fight Against Climate Change? 57. Do Schools Need to Do More to Support Visual Thinkers? 58. How Have Your Friends Helped You? 59. What Is Your Passion? 60. How Did You Grow and Change This School Year? 61. How Important to You Is Being Able to Drive? 62. Which Fandoms Are You In? 63. What Do We Do Today That Will Make Us Cringe in the Future? 64. How Are You Using A.I.? 65. How Have You Gotten Over Disappointment? 66. What's Your Favorite Video Game Ever? 67. What Is the Most Wholesome Thing You've Seen Lately? 68. How Well Do You Sleep at Night? 69. What Are Your Plans This Summer? 70. Do Social Media and Smartphones Make Your Friendships Stronger? 71. How Has the Threat of Gun Violence Affected You? 72. What Are Your Experiences With Animal Adoption or Fostering? 73. What Cultural Traditions Are Important to You? The New York Times Learning Network

74. How Do You Feel About Spoilers? 75. Do You Like Your First Name? Would You Change It If You Could? 76. Has Forgiving Someone Ever Made You Feel Better? 77. What Are the Best Places to Eat in Your Town? 78. How Do You Hold It Together When You're Feeling Stressed? 79. Who Cooks, Cleans and Takes Care of the Kids in Your Family? 80. Would You Ever Go on a Solo Vacation? 81. Who Is Someone You Would Like to Thank? 82. How Do You Get Over Rejection? 83. What Would You Wait All Night in the Rain to Buy? 84. How Are You Doing Your Part for the Environment? 85. What Does Your Hairstyle Say About You? 86. What Can We Learn From Older Adults? 87. What New Innovations and Discoveries in STEM Intrigue You? 88. Where Do You Find Peace and Quiet? 89. What Pop Culture Moments Define the Covid Era? 90. What Is Your Secret to a Happy Life? 91. What Songs Explain You? 92. What Does the End of the Pandemic Emergency Mean to You? 93. What Advice Do You Have for the Graduates of 2023? 94. What Are Your Favorite Memories of Spring? 95. How Often Do You Just ‘Hang Out’ With Others? 96. What Makes a City Great? 97. What Is the Best Thing About Being Your Age? 98. What Role Does Your Family's Native Tongue Play in Your Life? 99. Who Is Your Favorite Actor? 100. If You Made a Mixtape for Your Hometown, What Sounds and Songs Would You Include? 101. What Old Technology Do You Think Is Cool? 102. How Do You Like to Be Comforted When You Are Sad? 103. Would You Want to Be a Social Media Star? 104. If You Got Married, Would You Want to Keep Your Last Name or Take Your Partner's? 105. How Do You Feel About Your Height? 106. Do You Have a Favorite Local Hangout? 107. What Is Your Reaction to the New Report About Teen Sadness? 108. How Involved Are Your Parents in Your Life? 109. Are You a Fan of Rom-Coms? 110. What Video Games Would You Like to See Adapted for Film or TV? 111. What Is Something You Want to Try. Even Though Others Might Think It's Weird? 112. Do You Have a Family Motto or Creed? 113. What Acts of Kindness Have You Witnessed or Participated In? The New York Times Learning Network

114. Do You Have Any Intergenerational Friendships? 115. What Slang Words Do You Use? 116. What Are You Doing to Take Care of Your Health? 117. Have You Ever Written Fan Mail? If Not, Would You? 118. How Much Do You Share With Your Friends? 119. How Good Are You at Apologizing? 120. What Is It Like to Be a Teenager Now? 121. Could You Live an Entire Day Without Plastic? 122. Is Clutter a Problem in Your Life? 123. What Is Your Dream Travel Destination? 124. What's Your Reaction to Prince Harry's New Memoir and the Media Attention Around It? 125. What Are Your Predictions for 2023? 126. What Motivates You to Learn? 127. What Memorable Things Did You Learn in 2022? 128. Are You Optimistic About the State of the World? 129. How Much of Your Real Self Have You Revealed on Applications? 130. Have You Made Any New Year's Resolutions? 131. What Are the Most Popular Dishes in Your House? 132. Have You and Others Been More Sick Than Usual Lately? 133. Do You Suffer From ‘Task Paralysis’? 134. What Magic Did You Believe In as a Child? 135. What Were the Best and Worst Things About 2022 for You? 136. What Role Do Libraries Play in Your Life? 137. What Would You Pick as Word of the Year? 138. How Do You Have Fun? 139. What Makes a Great Gift? 140. Do You Feel Joy at Others' Success? 141. Do You Appreciate When Celebrities Share Their Struggles? 142. Do You Have Any Family Heirlooms? 143. Will You Be Watching the 2022 World Cup? 144. Do You Have Enough Access to Places Where You Can Play and Exercise? 145. How Do You Handle Boredom? 146. What Movies, Shows, Books, Music, Games or Other Works Have Made a Strong Impression on You? 147. What Foods Are Closely Linked to Someone You Love? 148. How Do You Make Hard Decisions? 149. Would You Make a Good Ump? 150. What Are the Little Rituals That Keep You Going? 151. What Are Your Memories of Halloween? 152. What Has Serena Williams Meant to Tennis, the Sports World and You? The New York Times Learning Network

153. What Were Your ‘Mundane Joys' of Summer? 154. When if Ever · Do You Call Adults by Their First Names? 155. What Don't Adults Understand About Teenage Life Online? 156. How Punctual Are You? 157. Do You See the Point in Learning Math? 158. March Madness Is Here. Will You Be Watching? 159. Are You Looking Forward to the New Basketball Season? 160. Have You Ever Been Ghosted? 161. How Long Do You Hope to Live at Home? 162. How Have the Last Two and a Half Years Made You Who You Are Today? 163. Is It Ever OK to Make a Little Mischief? 164. What Are Your Best Life Hacks? 165. Do You Talk to Yourself? 166. What Was Your First Concert? 167. Is Anger an Underrated Emotion? 168. What Role Do Trees Play in Your Neighborhood? 169. How Often Do You Text Your Friends Just to Say 'Hi’? 170. How Competitive Are You? 171. Have You Ever Felt as if You Didn't Belong? 172. What Big Project Do You Hope to Accomplish Someday? 173. How Have Your Teachers Shaped Who You Are? 174. What Story From Your Life Can You Tell in 100 Words? 175. What Have Your Friends Taught You About Life? The New York Times Learning Network

The Ultimate Guide to Opinion Writing for Students and Teachers

The Importance of Opinion Writing

Encouraging our students to express their personal opinions is an important part of the learning process; healthy even. To do this effectively, it is equally important that we help them acquire the necessary skills to express these opinions in a reasoned and coherent manner when teaching opinion writing.

Writing is one of the best possible vehicles for our students not only to express their opinions but to explore the strength and validity of those opinions.

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY

For our students to competently express their opinions in writing, they must first understand the specific requirements of the type of question they are answering. Of course, there are many types of questions and fun opinion writing prompts that are geared towards coaxing personal opinions from a student and each will require its own specific tailored response.

It’s clear that personal opinions permeate a wide range of genres and media. We find opinions everywhere from hotel reviews and infomercials to political commentary and newspaper editorials. But, despite the diversity of forms opinion writing can take, we can helpfully identify some general criteria that will assist our students in navigating the challenge of most opinion writing prompts and questions.

Let’s take a look at some of these criteria in more detail.

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OPINION WRITING CRITERIA TO ADDRESS

1. identify the audience: speak clearly.

Writing is about language and language is about communication; students should understand that we do not write in a vacuum. The purpose of an essay, letter, or any other form of writing we care to name, is ultimately to be read.

This means that it is essential that consideration be given to the character of the intended audience. Also, remind students that when they are writing, the reader is not privy to the inner workings of the writer’s mind. They must make their thoughts explicit in their writing and ensure that these thoughts are expressed in a coherent manner.

The student writer should always avoid making the assumption that the reader knows things that are not expressed explicitly in the writing.

2. Take a Stance: Stand Firm

From the very outset, the student should state their position boldly. More than that, they must stand firm in that opinion throughout the entirety of the piece.

Opinion writing is not about communicating a series of pros and cons or discussing at length the various related advantages and disadvantages, the place for that is not here. The opinion piece should open with a bold statement of opinion that is clearly expressed, and that opinion should be held unwaveringly and reinforced constantly throughout the text.

As with many other writing genres , employing a hook to grab the reader’s attention is good practice too. This hook can take the form of a quotation, an anecdote, a statistic, or even a joke. Whatever form the hook takes, it should reveal the writer’s take on things too.

To summarize, whatever the topic and however the student opens their opinion piece, they should ensure they express their opinion immediately and coherently. There should be no doubt in the reader’s mind as to where the student-writer stands on the issue.

3. Choose Appropriate Evidence: Back It Up

There is no doubt that subjectivity is an important aspect of opinion writing in general. That does not mean, however, that opinions do not need to be substantiated.

Your students will need to recognize that each and every statement of opinion will need to be supported by appropriate evidence. This will also help students to develop their critical reading skills as they will be able to better recognize when unsubstantiated claims are made by other writers. Opinions backed up with evidence help lead the reader along the writer’s pathways of thought; making the writing more convincing as a whole.

This evidence can take a wide variety of forms, ranging from personal anecdotes and quotations to statistics and references to scientific studies. Students should also always be encouraged to choose evidence that is broadly suited to the subject they are writing about.

4. Draw Conclusions: Wrap It Up

In the well-organized piece of opinion writing, as with many other types of extended writing, the writing should be structured in paragraphs. Paragraphs are essential elements of good writing organization.

Generally speaking, an opening paragraph gives way to body paragraphs. These body paragraphs, or development paragraphs, describe in more detail the ideas laid out in the initial opening paragraph by further exploring, explaining, and providing supporting evidence for each point.

The final concluding paragraph serves to close the circle by restating the central points in a closing endeavor to drive home the writer’s opinion.

5. A Word on Words

Writing is an art form. Attention to detail is important. But, it isn’t only important to look at the big picture things like structure, students should be encouraged to shift their focus from the text level down to the word and sentence levels too. In an opinion piece, strong, forceful verbs should be the order of the day. There is little space for passive forms when engaged in the construction of convincing arguments.

Things should be kept interesting too. Students should vary their sentence structures grammatically and in length. Variety is key.

 As always in writing, editing should be emphasized. The editing process polishes the well-wrought opinion piece by putting the final gloss on the student’s work.

The OREO Opinion Writing Process Explained

As with all genres, there’s a lot to remember here and acronyms are a helpful way to commit these important things to memory. Luckily, few things can be easier to commit to memory than the name of a delicious cookie:

O – Opinion

R – Reasons

E – Evidence or Examples

O – Opinion (restated)

This memorable acronym will help students remember some of the main elements of opinion writing as outlined above. But, sometimes the hardest thing for students to do is to get the writing ball rolling.

Opinionated Sentence Starters

Sentence starters provide students with great ways to kick-start their writing. Reminding students of simple ways of introducing opinion sentences can be helpful. Here are a few for ‘starters’ for starters:

●     In my opinion…

●     I think that…

●     It seems to me that…

●     It appears to me…

●     I feel that…

Once the student-writer has effectively expressed their opinion on a matter, they then will need to provide the reader with the reasons for why they think what they think. In an essay, these reasons will usually be found in the body paragraphs or development paragraphs. Normally, these paragraphs will explore a single reason each.

Some helpful sentence starters for introducing these reasons include:

●     One reason I feel this way is…

●     Evidence to support this can be found in…

●     I believe this to evident in…

Opinion Writing Activities for Students

Students will certainly need practice completing sustained pieces of opinion writing, but some of the most valuable activities to help students evolve their opinion writing abilities barely require a pen to be put to paper.

While the following two activities do not require students to engage in extended pieces of writing, the activities below will assist students in grasping some essential concepts. These activities demonstrate good practice through modelling and also encourage dialogue, discussion, and debate as a means to strengthen opinion writing.

Activity 1: Opinion Writing – What Is It?

This exercise is a good follow-up to introductory work outlining the criteria of opinion writing as described above.

●     Start by passing out copies of a piece of opinion writing you have selected to read with the class. Read the text aloud as the students follow along with their copy. The opinion text chosen can come from a wide range of genres, including advertisements, letters, editorials, essays, articles, or reviews.

●     Assign students a talking partner and instruct students to take five minutes to identify the various criteria employed in the text. Encourage students to mark and annotate their copies of the text accordingly. You may even wish to supply students with a checklist compiled from the criteria mentioned previously in this article.

●     As a whole class, discuss how successfully the text fulfills the criteria. What did the writer do well? What could they have done better? You can record their responses on the whiteboard.

The aim of this exercise is for students to hone their critical faculties while internalizing the criteria. This will reap rewards when the students later engage in their own extended opinion writing.

Activity 2: The Collaborative Case

This activity employs collaboration to help students build a stronger case for their opinion on a divisive issue.

●     First, define the parameters of the exercise by presenting an either/or conundrum to the class. This doesn’t have to be overly controversial in nature, just stated in such a way that it forces the students to take one side or another. This could be stated simply as a choice, e.g. Dogs or cats? City or countryside? Beach or Mountains? Sweet or savory?

●     Students then divide into two groups according to their stated preferences. In their groups, they then discuss and compile as many supporting reasons for their choice as they can come up with. As a group, they will discuss the relative merits of each reason, before agreeing on their top five.

●     The groups then share their reasons in a debate format, using arguments and counter-arguments, leading into an open, free-ranging discussion.

The value of this exercise lies in the collaborative and ‘combative’ natures of the exercises. Just as our physical muscles can grow through resistance, so too can the strength and resilience of our opinions and arguments.

This activity can also be used as a lead-in to opinion writing as it works well as a prewriting preparation exercise. The complexity of the issue to be discussed and debated can easily be modified to suit the abilities of the students too.

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OPINION WRITING VIDEO TUTORIALS

These videos from teaching without frills are an excellent starting point for opinion writing. You can view the entire collection here.

  The Wrap Up

Opinion writing is a higher-level skill that makes many demands on our students. It will challenge them to move beyond parroting the facts and figures they have acquired in their learning to formulate their own thoughts on topics they have learned about in class, or in the wider world beyond the school gates.

It will make demands on their skill as writers too. Our students must learn to mold and mechanically manipulate the language on the page to express their beliefs persuasively and effectively. To do this successfully, they will need ample opportunities to practice their writing craft. Once a firm understanding of the structures involved has been established, the student can become more fluid in their expression. They will add art and flair to their craft. But first, they must build on these firm foundations.

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO OPINION WRITING

Top 5 Persuasive Writing Techniques for Students

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20 Argumentative Essay Topics For Middle School

An argumentative essay is designed to explain to your reader information about one side of an argument. It is a lot like a persuasive essay because the idea is to explain one side of an issue but the idea is to present the facts without your opinion involved. A persuasive essay would display personal opinions. So for an argumentative essay simply state which side of the issue you believe in and then give your reasoning as to why you believe it.

There are some great topics to consider when choosing a topic for your argumentative essay. You would choose a topic that interests you. Once you have the topic, answer the question and then support your answer with at least three reasons why you believe it. For example, if you take the first option on the list, you can write that sports should not be coed and then tell your reader three reasons why it shouldn’t be coed.

• Should sports be coed?
• Should schools sell fast food?
• Should students wear school uniforms?
• Should there be harsher punishments for bullying?
• Is it fair to ban preteenagers and teenagers from the mall without adult supervision?
• Should there be less homework?
• When are you old enough to stay home alone?
• Should middle school students still have a bed time?
• Does summer school benefit the student?
• How would you change the school lunch menu?
• Should school sports be mandatory?
• Do kids watch too much television?
• Should kids have chores?
• Should you have to wear your seat belt on the bus?
• Should students who play sports still have to take Gym class?
• Should children be more concerned with what they eat so that they don’t have health problems when they get older?
• Should you get a larger allowance?
• Should school be year round with more breaks to improve education?
• Do violent games and television shows make kids violent?
• Should your school have a school newspaper?

Any one of these topics would work well. They are designed to establish a question pertaining to a conflicted view and then challenge yourself to prove your stance. Therefore, you would tell your side of the dispute and then for each body paragraph talk about a different reason why you believe it.

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by Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.  

A Plethora Of Writing Examples For Middle School (& High School)

October 14, 2014 in  Pedagogy

When I started my first job as a professional newspaper reporter (This job also served as an internship during my junior year in college — I just didn’t leave for about 6 years.), I quickly realized that all my experience, and all my years of journalism education had not been enough to help me write stories about drug busts, fatal car accidents and tornadoes. All the theoretical work I’d done, and all of the nifty little scholastic and collegiate stories I had done, did not prepare me for real world writing.

At that point, I had to find a solution quickly. After all, I had a deadline to meet, and it was only a few hours away.

One of my colleagues, who also served as a mentor, had the solution. She introduced me to the newspaper’s “morgue.” This was a room filled with filing cabinets in which we kept old — dead — stories arranged by reporter. Whenever I wasn’t’ sure how to write a story, all I had to do was check the morgue for similar stories. If I needed to write a story about a local drug bust, for example, I’d find another story on a similar incident, study its structure, and mentally create a formula in which to plugin the information I’d gathered.

Once I’d gained more experience, and had internalized the formula for that particular type of story, I felt free to branch out as the situation — and my training — warranted.

I do the same thing when I want to write a type of letter, brochure, or report that I’ve never written before.

This is what writing looks like in the real world.

Of course, if you’re a new teacher like me, there is one problem with providing mentor texts to my students: I have a dearth of middle school level writing sitting around in my file cabinets.

Fortunately, the Internet is full of sources, so I scoured the bowels of Google to find examples. I know how busy you are, so I’m sharing.

Expository writing examples for middle school

Below are several sources of expository writing samples for middle school students.

• The Write Source Expository Writing Samples
• Holt, Rinehart, Winston Expository Essay Models

Finally, here is an article in the New York Times that will help you teach your students  real-world expository writing skills .

Descriptive writing examples for middle school

• Descriptive Writing Samples from Novels
• Milwaukee Public Schools Descriptive Essay Samples (p. 137)
• Holt, Rinehart, Winston Descriptive Essay Models

Narrative writing examples for middle school

• Writing Samples by Steve Peha (PDF)
• The Write Source Narrative Writing Samples
• Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Ideas and Organization)
• Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Sentence Fluency and Conventions)
• Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Voice and Word Choice)
• Oregon Department of Education High School Scored Narrative and Argumentative Writing Samples
• Holt, Rinehart, Winston Narrative Essay Models

Argumentative/persuasive writing examples for middle school

• The Write Source Persuasive Writing Samples
• Holt, Rinehart, Winston Persuasive Essay Models

Reflective writing examples for middle school

• Reflective essay examples from Lake Washington Girls Middle School

If you know of any other online writing example sources, please feel free to share them in the comments below.

Related topics: Argumentative Writing , Informative Writing , Mentor Texts , Narrative Writing

About the author 

Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

I am a secondary English Language Arts teacher, a University of Oklahoma student working on my doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with an concentration in English Education and co-Editor of the Oklahoma English Journal. I am constantly seeking ways to amplify students' voices and choices.

This is very, very helpful. Thank you for sharing!

As a new middle school teacher (coming from elementary) this was very helpful and encouraging.

Thank you very much for letting me know. I’m glad that I was able to help you!

Thank you! I’m glad I can help.

Your welcome

This is super helpful. Thank you!

These links are a fantastic help. Thank you!

This helped me BUNCHES! Thanks so much!

thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD

These links are now dead 🙁

Thank you for notifying me! I have updated the post to include new (live!) links. Some of them are geared towards high school, but I think we can still use them as exemplars of what we want our students to aim for.

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How to Teach Opinion Writing

In this post, I share 5 tips for How to Teach Opinion Writing and provide details about the Opinion Writing Units resources I have created for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students.   Be sure to download 3 FREE opinion writing graphic organizers !

The Common Core writing domain focuses on three big types of writing: informative, narrative, and opinion writing.  Each genre serves a unique purpose and follows a specific structure in which we must explicitly teach our students.   In my last post I shared tips and resources for teaching Informative Writing and today I’m excited to move on to Opinion Writing. 

Opinion Writing is one of my favorite genres to teach.  Young students have opinions on just about EVERYTHING and they usually aren’t afraid to share them!!  For this reason, they find the genre highly engaging! 

Today I’m sharing 5 tips for teaching opinion writing, as well as a valuable resource that has everything you need to bring opinion writing into your kindergarten , first grade, or second grade literacy centers! 

Tips for Teaching Opinion Writing

1.  read opinion writing mentor texts .

Before you can ask your students to write in a genre that is new to them, you must first immerse them in it.  So to begin your unit, you’ll want to share examples of opinion writing with your students.  These mentor texts provide students with excellent examples of opinion writing. 

As you read them aloud, highlight the way the author structures their writing.  Identify the author’s topic or opinion and point out the reasons he or she gives to support their opinion.  All of these things will help students better understand what type of writing we are asking them to do.    

When you’re picking opinion mentor texts to share with your students there are a few things to consider .  First, do you (the educator) think it is excellent?  Second, is it easy for your students to understand?  And finally, is it relevant to the type of writing you are teaching?  If you answer “Yes!” to all three, then you’re good to go!

To help you out I’ve created a list of excellent mentor texts you can use when teaching opinion writing to kindergarten, first, or second grade students.  

A List of Opinion Writing Mentor Texts:

• Duck Rabbit by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
• I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufmann Orloff
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
• Red is Best by Kathy Stinson
• Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
• The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan

I’ve saved all these titles on one board so you can easily take a closer look at these mentor texts.  Click here to see this list on Amazon.

2.  Model Your Own Opinion Writing

I know I say this a lot, but it’s worth repeating…. MODEL, MODEL, and then once again MODEL what you expect your students to do!  It is a tremendously powerful instructional tool! 

When teaching opinion writing you’ll first model how to choose a topic.  When you generate ideas you can ask yourself, “What do I know all about?” “What do I care about?” “What do I wish other people believed?”.

If these questions feel too broad for your students you can use simple “would you rather” questions to get your ideas for an opinion piece.  For example, “Would you rather have a dog or a cat?”  This could lead to the topic, “Dogs are the best pet.” Keep it simple and choose a topic that is relatable to your students.    

Next, model how you plan your writing using a graphic organizer.  Show them how you open with a topic sentence that states your opinion. Next, come up with your supporting reasons. End with a closing sentence that restates your opinion.  

Model how you use the graphic organizer to guide you as you write out your full piece. 

Finally, reread your work aloud and show students how you catch silly mistakes such as spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors.  You can also show how you add additional supporting reasons to make your writing more persuasive to the reader.  

3. Use Anchor Charts

You want your students to know that when they write an opinion piece they are sharing their own opinion. They are not sharing true facts. Take time to review the difference between facts and opinions. Create an anchor chart that defines fact vs. opinion.

You’ll also want to review language that is specific to the genre. Remind students of the linking or transitional words that connect their opinion to their reasons.

Finally, you’ll want to create an anchor chart using the writing you model. This will serve as another example of excellent opinion writing.  As a class, add labels to identify the topic sentence, supporting reasons and the closing sentence in your shared writing.  

All of these anchor charts can be posted in your writing center. Encourage your students to refer back to them and use them as support as they write their own pieces.

4. Allow students to edit and share their writing

Provide a good writers checklist at your writing center.  For opinion writing you’ll want the checklist to include items such,  “Do I have a topic sentence that clearly states my opinion?”  “Do I have supporting reasons ?” and “Do I have a closing sentence?”, as well as reminders to check for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors.  

You can also create a rubric specific to the genre. Model how you use it to assess your own work and how it can be used to provide feedback to others.   

Give students the opportunity to share their writing with others!  Pair students with partners and let them read their pieces to each other.  Encourage them to provide feedback using the editing checklist and the rubric as a guide.  

5. Provide Daily Opportunities for Students to Write

As with all things, writing takes PRACTICE!  Students need dedicated instructional time to learn the skills and strategies necessary to become effective writers, as well as time to practice what they learn.   When you think about your daily instructional schedule, make sure you are giving your students ample opportunities to practice their opinion writing through whole-group instruction, small groups and/or independent practice in writing centers. 

Opinion Writing Unit For Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Students

Today I’m excited to share with you the details about my Kindergarten Opinion , 1st Grade Opinion , and my 2nd grade Opinion Writing units!  I love them because they have ALL the resources you need to give your students the practice they need to master opinion writing.  

These units were developed with standards-based research specific to each grade. You can use them within whole class or small group instruction, or as a literacy center activity where students can practice opinion writing independently!  

What’s Included in these Opinion Writing Resources?

The kindergarten , first grade , and the second grade opinion writing resources each include information to help you unpack the unit and a mini-lesson you’ll teach to give your students a review of opinion writing.  You’ll get a list of suggested mentor texts and online resources, printable anchor charts, graphic organizers, seasonal writing prompts, and conversational task cards to help get kids to share their opinion on different topics.  

Kindergarten Opinion Writing Unit

Kindergarteners will probably need a review of fact vs. opinion so the kindergarten resource includes a printable fact vs. opinion anchor chart . You’ll also get charts with opinion writing sentence starters to help them organize their reasons and thoughts.  

The kindergarten seasonal writing prompts come with traceable sentence stems and picture supported vocabulary word bank to assist young writers in brainstorming ideas and spelling words while writing.

Finally, you’ll get an editing checklist that is specific to opinion writing but also appropriate for the kindergarten level. 

First Grade and Second Grade Opinion Writing Units

The first and second-grade resources include fact vs. opinion and linking words anchor charts that provide review and help them organize their ideas.  

To help first and second-graders practice writing you’ll get 28 “Would You Rather” seasonal conversational opinion centers and 24 writing prompts. That’s more than enough to keep kids engaged in sharing their opinions all throughout the year!  

The prompts are both PRINTABLE & DIGITAL. The digital version has been PRELOADED for you, with 1 click add them to your Google Drive or upload them to SeeSaw.

Each seasonal prompt printable paper includes a story-specific vocabulary bank to provide spelling assistance and help students get ideas for reasons to support their opinion. 

Finally, you’ll also get a self-editing checklist and rubric that have both been made specifically for opinion writing.  This rubric can be used as a self-assessment tool or as a guide for peer feedback.     

I love these writing units because they can be used in so many different ways.  They offer opportunities for students to practice opinion writing as a whole class, in small groups, as a literacy center activity, for homework, or as a meaningful activity for when they have a substitute teacher!  

FREE Opinion Writing Graphic Organizers

Are you ready to begin Opinion Writing in your classroom? To help get you started, I am happy to offer you 3 FREE Opinion Writing Graphic Organizers! You can download them here .

The ability to state one’s opinion and support it with persuasive reasons is a valuable academic and LIFE skill!  I hope the information and resources I’ve shared today will help to bring stronger opinion writing instruction and more meaningful practice to your kindergarten, first and second-grade classrooms!

Be on the lookout for my next post that will focus on the final genre… Narrative Writing! I’ll share information and tips for teaching narrative writing, as well as give you details about my Narrative Writing Units for kindergarten , first and second-grade students!

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100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle & High School – 2024

April 15, 2024

Some high school students dream of writing for a living, perhaps pursuing an English major in college, or even attending a creative writing MFA program later on. For other students, creative writing can be useful for school assignments, in English and other subjects, and also for preparing their Common App essays . In a less goal-oriented sense, daily freewriting in a journal can be a healthy life practice for many high schoolers. Not sure where to start? Continue reading for 100 creative writing prompts for middle school and high school students. These middle/high school writing prompts offer inspiration for getting started with writing in a number of genres and styles.

Click here to view the 35 Best Colleges for Creative Writing .

What are Creative Writing Prompts?

Similar to how an academic essay prompt provides a jumping-off point for forming and organizing an argument, creative writing prompts are points of initiation for writing a story, poem, or creative essay. Prompts can be useful for writers of all ages, helping many to get past writer’s block and just start (often one of the most difficult parts of a writing process).

Writing prompts come in a variety of forms. Sometimes they are phrases used to begin sentences. Other times they are questions, more like academic essay prompts Writing prompts can also involve objects such as photographs, or activities such as walking. Below, you will find high school writing prompts that use memories, objects, senses (smell/taste/touch), abstract ideas , and even songs as jumping-off points for creative writing. These prompts can be used to write in a variety of forms, from short stories to creative essays, to poems.

How to use Creative Writing Prompts

Before we get started with the list, are a few tips when using creative writing prompts:

Experiment with different formats : Prose is great, but there’s no need to limit yourself to full sentences, at least at first. A piece of creative writing can begin with a poem, or a dialogue, or even a list. You can always bring it back to prose later if needed.

Interpret the prompt broadly : The point of a creative writing prompt is not to answer it “correctly” or “precisely.” You might begin with the prompt, but then your ideas could take you in a completely different direction. The words in the prompt also don’t need to open your poem or essay, but could appear somewhere in the middle.

Switch up/pile up the prompts : Try using two or three prompts and combine them, or weave between them. Perhaps choose a main prompt, and a different “sub-prompt.” For example, your main prompt might be “write about being in transit from one place to another,” and within that prompt, you might use the prompt to “describe a physical sensation,” and/or one the dialogue prompts.  This could be a fun way to find complexity as you write.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School Students (Continued)

Write first, edit later : While you’re first getting started with a prompt, leave the typos and bad grammar. Obsessing over details can take away from your flow of thoughts. You will inevitably make many fixes when you go back through to edit.

Write consistently : It often becomes easier to write when it’s a practice , rather than a once-in-a-while kind of activity. For some, it’s useful to write daily. Others find time to write every few days, or every weekend. Sometimes, a word-count goal can help (100 words a day, 2,000 words a month, etc.). If you set a goal, make sure it’s realistic. Start small and build from there, rather than starting with an unachievable goal and quickly giving up.

100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School Teens

Here are some prompts for getting started with your creative writing. These are organized by method, rather than genre, so they can inspire writing in a variety of forms. Pick and choose the ones that work best for you, and enjoy!

Prompts using memories

• Begin each sentence or group of sentences with the phrase, “I remember…”
• Describe a family ritual.
• Choose an event in your life, and write about it from the perspective of someone else who was there.
• Pick a pathway you take on a regular basis (to school, or to a friend’s house). Describe five landmarks that you remember from this pathway.
• Write about your house or apartment using a memory from each room.
• Write an imaginary history of the previous people who lived in your house or apartment.
• Write about an ancestor based on stories you’ve heard from relatives.
• What’s your earliest memory?
• Who was your first friend?
• Write a letter to someone you haven’t seen since childhood.
• Write about yourself now from the perspective of yourself twenty, or eighty, years from now.
• Write about the best month of the year.
• Write about the worst day of the year.
• Rant about something that has always annoyed you.
• Write about the hottest or coldest day you can remember.
• Visualize a fleeting moment in your life and as though it’s a photograph, and time yourself 5 minutes to write every detail you can remember about the scene.
• Draw out a timeline of your life so far. Then choose three years to write about, as though you were writing for a history book.
• Write about a historical event in the first person, as though you remember it.
• Write about a memory of being in transit from one place to another.

Objects and photographs as creative writing prompts

• Describe the first object you see in the room. What importance does it have in your life? What memories do you have with this object? What might it symbolize?
• Pick up an object, and spend some time holding it/examining it. Write about how it looks, feels, and smells. Write about the material that it’s made from.
• Choose a favorite family photograph. What could someone know just by looking at the photograph? What’s secretly happening in the photograph?
• Choose a photograph and tell the story of this photograph from the perspective of someone or something in it.
• Write about a color by describing three objects that are that color.
• Tell the story of a piece of trash.
• Tell the story of a pair of shoes.
• Tell the story of your oldest piece of clothing.

Senses and observations as creative writing prompts

• Describe a sound you hear in the room or outside. Choose the first sound you notice. What are its qualities? It’s rhythms? What other sounds does it remind you of?
• Describe a physical sensation you feel right now, in as much detail as possible.
• Listen to a conversation and write down a phrase that you hear someone say. Start a free-write with this phrase.
• Write about a food by describing its qualities, but don’t say what it is.
• Describe a flavor (salty, sweet, bitter, etc.) to someone who has never tasted it before.
• Narrate your day through tastes you tasted.
• Narrate your day through sounds you heard.
• Narrate your day through physical sensations you felt.
• Describe in detail the physical process of doing an action you consider simple or mundane, like walking or lying down or chopping vegetables.
• Write about the sensation of doing an action you consider physically demanding or tiring, like running or lifting heavy boxes.
• Describe something that gives you goosebumps.
• Write a story that involves drinking a cold glass of water on a hot day.
• Write a story that involves entering a warm house from a cold snowy day.
• Describe someone’s facial features in as much detail as possible.

Songs, books, and other art

• Choose a song quote, write it down, and free-write from there.
• Choose a song, and write a story in which that song is playing in the car.
• Choose a song, and write to the rhythm of that song.
• Choose a character from a book, and describe an event in your life from the perspective of that character.
• Go to a library and write down 10 book titles that catch your eye. Free-write for 5 minutes beginning with each one.
• Go to a library and open to random book pages, and write down 5 sentences that catch your attention. Use those sentences as prompts and free-write for 5-minutes with each.
• Choose a piece of abstract artwork. Jot down 10 words that come to mind from the painting or drawing, and free-write for 2 minutes based on each word.
• Find a picture of a dramatic Renaissance painting online. Tell a story about what’s going on in the painting that has nothing to do with what the artist intended.
• Write about your day in five acts, like a Shakespearean play. If your day were a play, what would be the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution?
• Narrate a complicated book or film plot using only short sentences.
• Read a short poem. Then write a poem that could be a “sister” or “cousin” of that poem.

Abstract ideas as creative writing prompts

• Write about an experience that demonstrates an abstract idea, such as “love” or “home” or “freedom” or “loss” without ever using the word itself.
• Write a list of ways to say “hello” without actually saying “hello.”
• Write a list of ways to say “I love you” without actually saying “I love you.”
• Do you believe in ghosts? Describe a ghost.
• Invent a mode of time travel.
• Glass half-full/half-empty: Write about an event or situation with a positive outlook. Then write about it with a miserable outlook.
• Free-write beginning with “my religion is…” (what comes next can have as much or as little to do with organized religion as you’d like).
• Free-write beginning with “my gender is…” (what comes next can have as much or as little to do with common ideas of gender as you’d like).
• Write about a person or character that is “good” and one that is “evil.” Then write about the “evil” in the good character and the “good” in the evil character.
• Write like you’re telling a secret.
• Describe a moment of beauty you witnessed. What makes something beautiful?

Prompts for playing with narrative and character

• Begin writing with the phrase, “It all started when…”
• Tell a story from the middle of the most dramatic part.
• Write a story that begins with the ending.
• Begin a story but give it 5 possible endings.
• Write a list of ways to dramatically quit a terrible job.
• Write about a character breaking a social rule or ritual (i.e., walking backwards, sitting on the floor of a restaurant, wearing a ballgown to the grocery store). What are the ramifications?
• You are sent to the principal’s office. Justify your bad behavior.
• Re-write a well-known fairytale but set it in your school.
• Write your own version of the TV show trope where someone gets stuck in an elevator with a stranger, or a secret love interest, or a nemesis.
• Imagine a day where you said everything you were thinking, and write about it.
• Write about a scenario in which you have too much of a good thing.
• Write about a scenario in which money can buy happiness.
• Invent a bank or museum heist.
• Invent a superhero, including an origin story.
• Write using the form of the scientific method (question, hypothesis, test, analyze data conclusion).
• Write using the form of a recipe.

Middle School & High School Creative writing prompts for playing with fact vs. fiction

• Write something you know for sure is true, and then, “but maybe it isn’t.” Then explain why that thing may not be true.
• Write a statement and contradict that statement. Then do it again.
• Draft an email with an outlandish excuse as to why you didn’t do your homework or why you need an extension.
• Write about your morning routine, and make it sound extravagant/luxurious (even if it isn’t).
• You’ve just won an award for doing a very mundane and simple task. Write your acceptance speech.
• Write about a non-athletic event as though it were a sports game.
• Write about the most complicated way to complete a simple task.
• Write a brief history of your life, and exaggerate everything.
• Write about your day, but lie about some things.
• Tell the story of your birth.
• Choose a historical event and write an alternative outcome.
• Write about a day in the life of a famous person in history.
• Read an instructional manual, and change three instructions to include some kind of magical or otherwise impossible element.

Prompts for starting with dialogue

• Write a texting conversation between two friends who haven’t spoken in years.
• Write a texting conversation between two friends who speak every day and know each other better than anyone.
• Watch two people on the street having a conversation, and imagine the conversation they’re having. Write it down.
• Write an overheard conversation behind a closed door that you shouldn’t be listening to.
• Write a conversation between two characters arguing about contradicting memories of what happened.
• You have a difficult decision to make. Write a conversation about it with yourself.
• Write a conversation with a total lack of communication.
• Write a job interview gone badly.

Final Thoughts – Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School 

Hopefully you have found several of these creative writing prompts helpful. Remember that when writing creatively, especially on your own, you can mix, match, and change prompts. For more on writing for high school students, check out the following articles:

• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• 160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics
• 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
• Good Transition Words for Essays
• High School Success

Sarah Mininsohn

With a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sarah is a writer, educator, and artist. She served as a graduate instructor at the University of Illinois, a tutor at St Peter’s School in Philadelphia, and an academic writing tutor and thesis mentor at Wesleyan’s Writing Workshop.

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