ENG 3CI
Opinion Paragraph
Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck
What’s Your Opinion?
Reflecting on the film Of Mice and Men
An opinion piece is your chance to explain what you think about a
subject. Your goal is to convince the reader that your argument is
correct.
You develop your opinion paragraph by beginning with a topic
sentence. You support your topic sentence with body
paragraph(s) including examples, details, and proof. You
complete your argument with a conclusion that summarizes your
argument.
Part 1: Stating your Opinion
Use the following table to practice making a list of all the reasons you support or disagree with the
following statements.
Example 1: Curley’s wife is a temptress and the primary source of all the conflict on the ranch.
Yes, Curley’s wife is a temptress and the
primary source of all the conflict on the ranch.
No, Curley’s wife is not a temptress and not the
primary source of all the conflict on the ranch.
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Example 2: Euthanasia is more humane than letting a person suffer and should be legalized.
Yes, Euthanasia is more humane than letting a
person suffer and should be legalized.
No, Euthanasia is not more humane than letting
a person suffer and should not be legalized.
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
Writing Tip:
If you aren’t sure which side to take, make a table with the opposite points of view on either side.
List the points you can think of for each side. Choose whichever side looks more convincing (or
is longer).
ENG 3CI
Opinion Paragraph
Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck
Part 3: Develop Your Paragraph
Task: Write a paragraph) expressing an opinion on the topic below. Develop your main idea with
supporting details (proof, facts, examples, etc).
Purpose and audience: Adults and youth who are interested in your opinion.
Topic: George’s decision to kill Lennie is justified because it was more humane.
Step 1: Make a list of three main ideas that support your topic sentence.
Topic Sentence (Agree with statement)
Topic Sentence (Disagree with statement)
_
_
_
_
_
_
Step 2: Fill out the table. Try to include at least three points for each side. When you are finished,
compare with this table. Are your points similar?
Step 3: Choose which side you want to argue and circle which side you’ve chosen. Put the ideas
on that side of the chart in the order you want to use them. Each point should be 1 sentence, each
support should be 2.
Main Idea
Supporting Details
Point 1:
Support 1:
Point 2:
Support 2:
Point 3:
Support 3:
Step 4: Plan your introduction: What is your topic sentence? This is the sentence that should
include part of your question and part of your own ideas.
Part of the Question
Add
Your opinion why you agree or disagree
+
=
Topic Sentence
Step Five: Write a conclusion that summarizes how you proved your topic sentence with your
supporting ideas and proof. Do not just repeat your topic sentence. Your conclusion should always
add an idea that summarizes your proof.
Conclusion
ENG 3CI
Opinion Paragraph
Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck
Your paragraph should look like this:
Opinion Paragraph Structure
First sentence: topic sentence
Checklist
Second sentence: a general idea about the topic
Third sentence: list the points you are using to prove your point of view
Support #1: The support you are developing.
Second sentence: a fact, proof or example related to support #1.
Third sentence: another fact, proof or example related to support #1.
Support #2: The support you are developing.
Second sentence: a fact, proof or example related to support #2.
Third sentence: another fact, proof or example related to support #2.
Support #3: The support you are developing.
Second sentence: a fact, proof or example related to support #3.
Third sentence: another fact, proof or example related to support #3.
Conclusion: Summarizes opinion, point, proofs (2 sentences)

Step Six: Check Your Work
Checklist
Have I:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Counted the sentences and made sure there are fourteen
Identified the topic sentence (underline if you have to)?
Found the main idea for each supporting point?
Used examples or facts in every body paragraph?
Restated and added to my main idea in the conclusion?
Checked to make sure I’m not missing any words or haven’t spelled
anything wrong?
ENG 3CI
Opinion Paragraph
Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck
Opinion Paragraph Rubric
Opinion Paragraph – Read your rubric before your begin writing!
Categories
Level 1
(50 - 59%)
Level 2
(60 - 69%)
Level 3
(70 - 79%)
Level 4
(80 - 100%)
Knowledge/Understanding
-demonstrates
limited
knowledge of
content
-demonstrates
some
knowledge of
content
-demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of
content
-demonstrates
thorough
knowledge of
content
-uses planning,
processing and
critical and
creative skills
with limited
effectiveness
-uses uses
planning,
processing and
critical and
creative skills
with some
effectiveness
-uses uses
planning,
processing and
critical and
creative skills
with
considerable
effectiveness
-uses uses
planning,
processing and
critical and
creative skills
with a high
degree of
effectiveness
-applies
knowledge and
skills in familiar
contexts with
limited
effectiveness
-applies
knowledge and
skills in familiar
contexts with
some
effectiveness
-applies
knowledge and
skills in familiar
contexts with
considerable
effectiveness
-applies
knowledge and
skills in familiar
contexts with a
high degree of
effectiveness
-makes
connections
within and
between
various
contexts with
limited
effectiveness
-makes
connections
within and
between
various
contexts with
some
effectiveness
-makes
connections
within and
between
various
contexts with
considerable
effectiveness
-makes
connections
within and
between
various
contexts with a
high degree of
effectiveness
-expresses and
organizes
ideas and
information
with limited
effectiveness
-expresses and
organizes
ideas and
information
with some
effectiveness
-expresses and
organizes ideas
and information
with
considerable
effectiveness
-expresses and
organizes ideas
and information
with a high
degree of
effectiveness
-communicates
for different
audiences and
purposes with
limited
effectiveness
-communicates
for different
audiences and
purposes with
some
effectiveness
-communicates
for different
audiences and
purposes with
considerable
effectiveness
-communicates
for different
audiences and
purposes with a
high degree of
effectiveness
-uses
conventions,
vocabulary,
and
terminology of
the discipline
with limited
effectiveness
-uses
conventions,
vocabulary,
and
terminology of
the discipline
with some
effectiveness
-uses
conventions,
vocabulary,
and
terminology of
the discipline
with
considerable
effectiveness
-uses
conventions,
vocabulary,
and
terminology of
the discipline
with a high
degree of
effectiveness
-knowledge of content,
knowledge of opinion piece
form, knowledge of
paragraph form
Thinking
-use of planning skills
-use of processing skills
-the use of critical and
creative thinking skills and/or
processes
Application
-use of knowledge and skills
to make connections within
and between various
contexts
Communication
-expression and organization
of ideas and information
-communication for different
audiences and purposes
-use of conventions
Note: A student whose achievement is below Level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this assignment.