Essay Mastery: Learn How to Write a Strong Opinion Essay!
Are you ready to transform your writing from ordinary to extraordinary? Join us in this four-week course to learn the important parts of a strong opinion essay! Let's get to work crafting compelling essays that captivate readers!
Mrs. Cook
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(2)
What's included
4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. Homework is assigned after each lesson and should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. Students will be presented with a writing assignment that will be due one week after the end of Lesson 4 (that last lesson). They will be writing their own opinion essay on volcanoes and the assignment will be in Google Slides. They will use the articles provided (in the Homework section) to research and gather evidence to support their position. After I receive your student's essay, it will be reviewed and sent back to you with feedback. Your student will then receive a certificate of completion for finishing this course!Grading
After I receive your student's essay, it will be reviewed and sent back to you with feedback. Students will then receive a certificate of completion for finishing this course!Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 9
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Do you want to standout in your college essays, scholarship essays, or maybe just get better at writing? This class will help you enhance your skills for school, college, scholarships, career, and beyond. Join me for a 4-week journey where you'll master the art of expressing your thoughts in style! 🚀 In this course, we'll dive into the world of opinion writing. Each week, we'll gather to explore new techniques and put those into practice. IMPORTANT: This is a self-paced 4-week class. If you're interested in the live version of this class (where we meet at a fixed time once a week), you can find that class under my class listings "Essay Mastery: Unleash Your Voice and Write Impressive Essays (Live Class)". Week 1 kicks off with the secrets of opinion essays - what makes them tick and how to brainstorm like a pro. You'll craft your very own thesis statement that's sure to grab attention! In Week 2, we'll build the perfect paragraph using the legendary "Hamburger" model. Trust me, it's not just about food - it's about making your writing irresistible! Week 3 is all about avoiding plagiarism. I'll teach you how to gather evidence like a detective, sprinkle in some quotes, and give credit where credit's due. No plagiarism villains allowed! Finally, in Week 4, get ready to conquer the structure of an opinion essay. I'll guide you through crafting strong introductions, powerful bodies, and satisfying conclusions. Plus, we'll sprinkle in some ninja-level tips to avoid common writing pitfalls. But wait, there's more! 🎉 During our last class (Week 4), you'll receive an assignment to apply what you just learned on a real-world topic! You get to write an opinion essay about whether or not you think volcanoes should be considered natural disasters. Dive into research (3 articles provided for you), write your own essay in Google Slides (where each section guides you along the way), and submit your masterpiece within a week. You'll even get a certificate of completion for finishing your paper! This course is perfect for 9-14 year olds eager to learn how to write essays. But if you're younger or older, no worries! You're more than welcome to join in and learn how to write regardless of age! See you soon!
Learning Goals
Students will learn:
- What makes an opinion essay unique
- How to brainstorm topics by thinking of their intended audience
- How to develop ideas that are convincing, believable, and backed by research
- How to develop a thesis statement that supports their position on a topic
- The structure of the 5-part "hamburger paragraph"
- That writing paragraphs requires gathering evidence and citing that evidence
- About direct quotes, paraphrasing, in-text citations, and a reference list
- What not to include in opinion-essay writing
- How to use an outline to develop the 5-paragraph "hamburger essay"
- To apply what they learned by submitting their own opinion essay after the course
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Opinion Essays
Understand the distinction between opinion essays and other forms of writing/Step-by-step guide to the brainstorming process/Craft a strong thesis statement that reflects the writer's position 1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Structure and Development
Explore the structure of an informative paragraph/Learn the "Hamburger" model for paragraph development/Apply the structure to the essay as a whole 1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Avoiding Plagiarism and Gathering Evidence
Recognize the dangers of plagiarism/Learn techniques for gathering evidence ethically/Incorporate direct quotes and paraphrasing effectively/Learn about in-text citations and reference lists 1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Crafting the Perfect Opinion Essay
Understand the structure of an opinion essay (introduction, body, conclusion)/Utilize outlines to organize ideas effectively/Identify and eliminate common mistakes and colloquialisms/Learn about the final writing assignment: crafting an opinion essay on volcanoes using provided articles for research 1 assignment
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will refer to three articles sourced by ReadWorks.org during lesson 4. Students will use these articles to research and gather evidence to support their position in their essay.
Supply List
A link to Google Docs will be provided to access the homework for each lesson.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from Regent University
Hello! My name is Veronica and I'm a mother of four children, wife, and teacher. After graduating from college in 2016, I worked in communications and marketing for two years. After having my third child, I branched out into teaching where I discovered the opportunity to educate children through online ESL teaching! Since 2019, I've been teaching ESL online to students ages 4-15. I'm TEFL and TESOL certified, worked as both a substitute teacher and paraprofessional, and have also homeschooled my own children going on 5 years.
As a dedicated teacher specializing in English language arts, writing, and reading for grades K-5, I create a motivating and inspiring space where every student feels valued. My goal for each lesson is to create a love for learning, ensuring each child is encouraged, welcomed, and empowered. Let's collaborate in nurturing your child's mind and building a foundation for lifelong success. See you soon!Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$10
weekly or $40 for all content4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 1 learner
Choose your start date
Ages: 10-14
