Writing an Opinion Piece Flashcards

Which structure is MOST effective for organizing an OSSLT opinion piece?

Answer: Introduction with thesis, supporting body paragraphs, conclusion

A clear introduction with thesis, developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion is the standard and most effective structure.

A student writes three body paragraphs, each starting with 'Another reason is…' What weakness does this show?

Answer: The transitions are repetitive and lack variety

Repeating the same transitional phrase makes writing monotonous; varied transitions improve flow and scoring.

When the OSSLT prompt says 'write to persuade,' the writer's PRIMARY goal is to:

Answer: Convince the reader to agree with a particular point of view

Persuasive writing aims to influence the reader's beliefs or actions toward the writer's stated position.

A student acknowledges the opposing view and then explains why their position is still stronger. This technique is called:

Answer: Addressing a counterargument

Addressing a counterargument strengthens your opinion piece by showing you have considered other perspectives.

Which of the following is an example of a WEAK argument in an opinion piece?

Answer: 'Everyone knows that homework is bad, so schools should ban it.'

'Everyone knows' is a logical fallacy (bandwagon/appeal to common belief) and does not constitute real evidence.

In an OSSLT opinion piece, what does a high score for 'ideas' typically reflect?

Answer: A clear position supported by relevant and developed reasons

The 'ideas' score rewards a clear, focused opinion supported by well-developed and relevant arguments.

Which revision BEST improves this sentence: 'Cellphones are bad and students shouldn't have them at school'?

Answer: 'The presence of cellphones in classrooms disrupts learning and should therefore be restricted during instructional time.'

The revised sentence uses formal language, specifies the problem (disrupts learning), and provides reasoning.