English Language Arts
Grade 3
15 min
Choose reasons to support an opinion
Choose reasons to support an opinion
What you'll learn
- Identify commas used correctly to separate a city and state in at least 8 out of 10 sentences.
- Apply the rule for using commas between cities and states by correctly adding commas to 5 out of 7 sentences.
- Explain why a comma is needed between the city and state when writing addresses or locations in 3 out of 3 oral explanations.
- Correctly rewrite 4 out of 5 sentences that are missing commas between the city and state.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the terms 'opinion' and 'reason'.
Differentiate between a fact and an opinion.
Identify the opinion in a given sentence or short paragraph.
Generate at least two relevant reasons to support a simple opinion.
Use connecting words like 'because' and 'so' to link an opinion to its reasons.
Evaluate whether a given reason strongly supports an opinion.
What's the best ice cream flavor in the world, and why do you think so? 🍦
Today, we're going to learn how to be super persuaders! We'll discover how to share our ideas, called opinions, and back them up with strong reasons so others can understand our point of view.
Real-World Applications
Convincing your family to go to the park
Explaining wh...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
OpinionWhat someone thinks, feels, or believes. It cannot be proven right or wrong.I think that dogs are the best pets.
ReasonThe 'why' behind an opinion. It explains your thinking and supports your idea.My reason is that dogs are very playful and loyal.
SupportWhen a reason backs up or holds up an opinion, like legs holding up a table.The reason 'you can build cool things' supports the opinion 'LEGOs are the best toy'.
FactA statement that can be proven true or false.A dog has four legs. (This is different from an opinion!)
Connecting WordsWords that link an opinion to a reason, showing how they are related.I like winter BECAUSE I can build snowmen.
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Because' Test
Opinion + 'because' + Reason
A good reason should make sense when you put the word 'because' after your opinion. This helps you check if your reason really explains your opinion.
Strong vs. Weak Reasons
A strong reason is specific and directly connected to the opinion.
Always ask yourself, 'Does this reason truly explain WHY I think this?' A weak reason might be another opinion or not related at all.
Use Examples
Reason + 'For example,' + Specific Detail
After you state your reason, giving a small story or a specific detail can make your reason much stronger and easier for others to understand.
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
Read the story: "Leo wanted a later bedtime. 'I should get to stay up later,' he told his dad. 'All my friends do!' His dad replied, 'That's not a good enough reason.' Leo thought. He said, 'If I had 30 extra minutes, I could finish my book each night. Reading more would help me in school.'" Which statement best describes how Leo's reason improved?
A.His second reason connected his opinion to a positive and responsible activity.
B.His first reason was a fact, and his second was an opinion.
C.He proved that his dad was wrong about everything.
D.He decided he didn't want a later bedtime anymore.
Challenging
An advertisement says: "You should buy 'Crater Crunch' shoes! They are the best shoes because the famous basketball player Michael Jordan wears them!" Why is this a WEAK reason to support the opinion that you should buy the shoes?
A.Michael Jordan is retired from basketball.
B.The shoes might be very expensive.
C.The reason doesn't say if the shoes are comfortable, durable, or good for your feet.
D.Some people like soccer more than basketball.
Challenging
Read the opinion and its reasons. Opinion: "Our school day should start later." Reason 1: Studies show that teenagers' brains work better a little later in the morning. Reason 2: It would give students more time to sleep, which is important for health. Reason 3: I don't like my alarm clock because it's very loud. Which sentence best explains why Reason 3 is the weakest?
A.It is a personal feeling about an object and not a benefit that applies to all students.
B.All alarm clocks are loud.
C.Starting school later would mean it ends later.
D.Reason 1 and Reason 2 are not true.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Choose reasons to support an opinion"?
Choose reasons to support an opinion is a Grade 3 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Choose reasons to support an opinion?
You'll be able to: Identify commas used correctly to separate a city and state in at least 8 out of 10 sentences; Apply the rule for using commas between cities and states by correctly adding commas to 5 out of 7 sentences; Explain why a comma is….
Is "Choose reasons to support an opinion" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Choose reasons to support an opinion?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.