Unit 7

Writing opinions

State what you think and convince others with solid reasons joined by linking words.

1. Read

   Reasons make the bridge

   "Football is the greatest sport in the universe!" declared Aarav.

   "No, cricket is a thousand times better!" shouted Rohan.

   They went back and forth for twenty minutes: "Is not!" "Is too!" "Football!" "Cricket!" By the time the recess bell rang, their faces were red and neither boy had changed his mind by an inch.

   Saying what you think louder and louder does not convince anybody. If you want someone to cross over and agree with you, you cannot just shout across the gap. You have to build a bridge!

   Facts versus opinions

   Before you write an opinion piece, you must know what kind of statement you are making.

   A fact is a statement that can be tested, measured, or proven true. Everyone who checks the evidence sees the same fact:

   • "Water freezes at 0°C."
   • "Bengal tigers have black stripes."
   • "Our school building has twenty classrooms."

   An opinion is a statement that tells what someone thinks, feels, prefers, or believes. It cannot be proven with a ruler or thermometer, and reasonable people can disagree:

   • "Winter is more enjoyable than summer."
   • "Tigers are the most magnificent big cats."
   • "Our school should start thirty minutes later."

   

   The opinion bridge: why reasons matter

   Anyone can state an opinion. But an opinion persuades only if it is supported by reasons.

   A reason answers the question: "Why do you think that?"

   Think of your opinion as standing on one cliff, and your reader standing on the other cliff. Between you is an open canyon of doubt. Your reasons are the sturdy stone pillars that hold up the bridge so your reader can walk across and agree with you!

   

   Strong reasons vs. weak reasons

   Not all reasons make strong pillars. Look at the difference:

   Opinion	Weak reason	Strong reason	Why the strong reason wins
   We should adopt a puppy	"Because puppies are cute!"	"Walking a puppy every morning will help us exercise and learn responsibility."	Explains a lasting benefit for the whole family
   Classrooms need plants	"Because I like flowers."	"Potted plants absorb stale air and create a calm atmosphere for studying."	Cites real evidence that helps everyone
   We should have music during art	"Because it is cool."	"Listening to soft instrumental music helps students relax and focus on drawing."	Shows how the change improves the art class

   A weak reason often just repeats the opinion in different words ("Football is best because it's so good"). That is called a circular argument. A strong reason gives concrete facts, benefits, or evidence.

   Linking words: the cement of the bridge

   To glue your opinion and reasons together, use linking words. Three of the most powerful linking words are because, since, and therefore.

   1. Because (points straight to the reason)

   Use because when you state your opinion first and follow immediately with the cause:

   • "Every student should drink water during sports because running in the heat causes rapid dehydration."

   2. Since (starts with the accepted reason)

   Use since to introduce a reason at the start of a sentence:

   • "Since plastic wrappers take centuries to decompose, our canteen should wrap snacks in banana leaves."

   3. Therefore (points to the logical conclusion)

   Use therefore to show what action must follow from the facts:

   • "Riding a bicycle produces zero smoke; therefore, cycling to school keeps our neighborhood air clean."

   The opinion paragraph blueprint

   Example. Here is how to construct a complete, persuasive opinion paragraph:

   1. State your opinion clearly in the topic sentence:

      Every classroom in our school should maintain a small indoor worm compost bin.

   2. Give Reason 1 with a linking word:

      First, food scraps from our daily tiffin will not end up rotting in landfills because the worms eat fruit peels and turn them into rich soil.

   3. Give Reason 2 with a linking word:

      Furthermore, since students can observe the worms breaking down organic matter up close, science lessons become hands-on and exciting.

   4. Conclude with a final call to action using therefore:

      A compost bin costs almost nothing to start; therefore, our school should set one up in every grade.

   Notice how the reader is guided step by step from the idea, through the reasons, to the final conclusion!

   Mistakes to avoid

   • "Stating your opinion as an undisputed fact." Saying "Cricket is objectively the greatest game" sounds arrogant. Respectful opinion writing says: "Cricket is an excellent sport because..."
   • "Attacking people who disagree." Saying "Anyone who dislikes reading is foolish" pushes readers away. Friendly, thoughtful reasons draw people in.
   • "Giving only one reason." A single reason is like a table with one leg; it wobbles easily. Give at least two strong reasons.
   • "Using linking words incorrectly." Linking words require complete sentences. You cannot say "Therefore ice cream."

   Try it: Think of one small rule you would like to introduce at home or school (for example, "Friday afternoon reading hour"). Write down two strong reasons and connect them using because and therefore.

2. Lab

   The Persuasion Bridge

   Build solid persuasion bridges by choosing strong, evidence-based reasons and connecting them with the right linking words.

   Your goals

   • Distinguish strong, beneficial reasons from weak or circular arguments.
   • Connect opinions, reasons, and conclusions using linking words such as because, therefore, and since.

   🔒 The interactive lab opens once you register. Register to do this.

3. Quick check

   Writing opinions quick check

   Eight questions on facts versus opinions, strong reasons, and linking words like because, since, and therefore.

   1. 1.Match each statement to whether it is a Fact or an Opinion.

      • The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth.
      • Blue whales are the most majestic creatures in the sea.
      • A cricket ball has stitched leather seams.
      • Cricket is far more thrilling than football.

      Match each to: Opinion (personal thought or feeling) · Fact (can be observed directly) · Opinion (personal preference) · Fact (can be tested and measured)

   2. 2.Which of these sentences expresses an opinion rather than a proven fact?

      • Rainy afternoons are the coziest and best times of the week.
      • Rain provides freshwater that refills lakes and reservoirs.
      • Dark cumulonimbus clouds often bring thunderstorms.

      Choose one

   3. 3.Which linking word completes this sentence best? 'Children should wear sun hats at noon ____ strong ultraviolet rays can burn sensitive skin.'

      • because
      • suddenly
      • although

      Choose one

   4. 4.Which linking word completes this sentence best? 'Cycling produces zero exhaust fumes; ____, riding a bicycle keeps city air clean.'

      • therefore
      • but
      • however

      Choose one

   5. 5.A student is writing an argument that children should learn to cook simple meals. Which TWO statements provide strong, convincing reasons?

      • Knowing how to cook helps you prepare fresh, nutritious food for yourself.
      • Cooking lessons teach valuable safety rules around knives and hot stoves.
      • Because wearing a chef hat looks very stylish in photos.
      • Cooking programmes on television are fun to watch after school.

      Choose all that apply

   6. 6.Put these parts in order to build a persuasive opinion paragraph.

      • Add a second supporting reason beginning with 'since'
      • Provide your first strong reason using the word 'because'
      • State your opinion clearly in the topic sentence
      • Deliver your final conclusion using the word 'therefore'

      Put these in order

   7. 7.Why is 'Mangoes are the best fruit because they are good' a weak argument?

      • It simply repeats the opinion without offering real supporting evidence.
      • The word mango is not spelled properly.
      • Arguments cannot be made about fruits.

      Choose one

   8. 8.A statement that expresses what someone thinks, feels, or believes, rather than a proven fact, is called an ____.

      Answer with a word or phrase

   🔒 Answering and checking are for registered learners. Register to do this.

4. Quick check

   New puzzles

   Read about a debate at the town council on banning single-use plastic bags, then solve the puzzles.

   1. 1.Which of these is the STRONGEST reason supporting a ban on single-use plastic bags in the town market?

      • Discarded plastic bags clog storm drains and cause street flooding during heavy rains.
      • Plastic bags come in dull colours like grey and faded white.
      • Plastic bags make a loud rustling noise when carried in a breeze.

      Choose one

   2. 2.Read this statement: 'Discarded bags harm wildlife; therefore, the market should switch to reusable cloth bags.' What is the role of 'therefore'?

      • It introduces the logical action or conclusion that follows from the problem.
      • It shows that the speaker has changed their mind.
      • It turns the sentence into a question.

      Choose one

   3. 3.Which of these statements from the market meeting is an OPINION?

      • Handwoven jute bags look far more attractive than plastic carriers.
      • Thin plastic bags require hundreds of years to break down in soil.
      • There are forty-two vegetable stalls operating in the market.

      Choose one

   4. 4.In the sentence: 'Since cloth bags can be washed and reused for years, shoppers generate far less plastic waste', which linking word introduces the reason?

      Answer with a word or phrase

   🔒 Answering and checking are for registered learners. Register to do this.

5. Your turn

   State your case

   Write a persuasive opinion piece on ONE of these debate topics:

   • Topic A: Should primary school students have homework assignments on weekends?
   • Topic B: Is it better to read a book or watch a film version of the same story?
   • Topic C: Should every school classroom keep a live indoor plant or terrarium?

   Structure your written response in these four parts:

   1. Your Opinion Statement. State your position clearly in one complete, bold topic sentence.
   2. Two Strong Reasons with Linking Words. Write two distinct reasons that support your position. You must connect your reasons using at least two different linking words from our lesson (because, since, or therefore).
   3. Fairness to the Other Side. What would someone who disagrees with you say? State their objection fairly, then explain in one sentence why your position is still stronger.
   4. The Power of Reasons. In two sentences, explain to a friend why shouting "I'm right because I say so!" never wins an argument, and why reasons are like the legs of a table or the pillars of a bridge.

   How it's judged

   • States a clear opinion
   • Provides strong reasons with linking words
   • Considers the opposing perspective
   • Explains why reasons persuade

   🔒 Writing and submitting your answer is for registered learners. Register to do this.