End of the Year Argumentative Writing Prompt - Opinion & Persuasive Paragraphs

Which song would make the best national anthem? It’s the perfect prompt for the end of the school year (as we approach Memorial Day and the Fourth of July). Kids sharpen their argumentative writing with this patriotic activity.

Open the preview to take a closer look. You may choose from two options: opinion (first person) or persuasive (second person) paragraphs.

Guided by a series of organizers, third or fourth grade students use proven strategies to develop argumentative texts:

• Use a strong organizational structure that lists reasons; support reasons with relevant facts and details.
• Open with a good beginning and close with a strong conclusion (or call to action for persuasive pieces).
• Link ideas with a variety of transition terms.
• Use specific nouns and active verbs.
• Vary sentence beginnings and types.

This project was designed to scaffold learning. Differentiation is easy! Just use different pages. Additionally, you can build skills and criteria as the year progresses.

Thorough resources let you teach with confidence:

• Note to teacher
• Link to companion website with patriotic writing prompt, as well as information, lyrics, and audio-visual files for each song
• Links to forced Google Slides version (11 pages)
• One-page information sheet for each song (including lyrics)
• Forming an opinion sheet - for listing pros and cons
• Directions and graphic organizer for opinion writing
• Directions and graphic organizer for persuasive writing
• Graphic organizer for opening statements
• Explanation of techniques - logos, pathos, and ethos
• List of transition terms
• Proofreading and editing sheet
• Themed writing paper
• Rubric
• Optional: class voting form

This activity can be used in a variety of ways:

• Classroom writing prompt
• Music class project
• Timed writing practice
• Early finisher work
• Homework
• Sub plans
• Companion project for The Westing Game

Your students will enjoy these writing activities, and so will you!

• Kids love analyzing and giving their opinion on our national anthem.
• The prompt addresses the intent of your standards (and sub-standards). For example, if you teach CCSS W.3.1 or W.4.1, TEKS LA.3.12.C or LA.4.12.C, or Virginia SOL.3.8.a or 4.7a, you can rest assured that students will practice not only argumentative writing, but also prewriting, organization, opinion-based topic sentences and fact-based detail sentences, elaboration, word choice, transitions, and revision.
• Through proven strategies, your students' writing will shine (and so will your test scores).

Materials are included as a printable PDF, forced Google Slides, or shareable Easel Activities. In addition, a companion website presents the lyrics, background information, and link to an audio-visual file for each song.

If your class is like mine, some kids are ready for more. To meet the needs of all students in your classroom, grab the bundle, which also includes a parallel five-paragraph version of this resource.

Enjoy teaching this patriotic opinion prompt!

Brenda Kovich