The Opinion Paragraph

1. The Opinion Paragraph Unit 1: Narratives. Opinions on TED Talks

2. Parts of an Opinion Paragraph • Topic Sentence: States what the paragraph will prove (YOUR OPINION) • Points: The ideas you will use to support your opinion • Proofs: Examples that demonstrate your points • Explanations: Sentences that explain how your prof supports you opinion • Concluding Sentence: Sums up your main idea

3. Transition Words • Words that unite sentences, ideas or words. • Very important in writing • Firstly, secondly, thirdly • Next, finally • As well • Also • In addition • Furthermore • Therefore • Because • In contrast, in comparison

4. Diction • Word Choice • Who is your Audience? • What is your Purpose • Audience and Purpose will dictate the type of language you use! • Academic language: uses terms that appropriate for the subject area • Formal language: the most formal version of a word, no contractions, no slang, no colloquialisms • Informal language: everyday language choice, contractions, slang and colloquialisms an be used. • Colloquialism: informal, everyday language.Example: Kids is colloquial. Children is formal

5. Rules Verb Tense Rules Write in 3rd person Use formal language Use transition words • Maintain one tense • Past – ed ending • Present– as if it is happening

6. Sentence Structure Complex Sentence A complete sentence (subject and verb) and a subordinate clause (could not be it’s own sentence). “Ryan watched TV while cooking dinner last night”. Subordinate clause is in yellow Simple Sentence • Uses a single subject and verb • “Ryan watched TV last night.” Compound Sentence • Two simple sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) • “Ryan watched TV and cooked an amazing dinner last night.”

7. ELEMENTS Topic SentenceTransition word PointProofExplanationConcluding Sentence The most intriguing and engaging Ted Talk watched in class was Rick Elias’ Three Things I learned While my Plane Crashed. Firstly, he used an excellent hook to get the audience interested in his presentation. For example, he began by telling the anecdote of the plane crash including describing the sounds of the plane, his seat and his feelings to teach his lesson about the importance of living . By organizing his talk with an effective hook, Rick Elias grabs the audience’s attention. Alongwith being extremely well organize, the talk also used language to engage the audience. The language had a great impact on the audience as seen through the audience’s reaction to his talk. The audience laughed at appropriate moments, remained silent at the significant moments and clapped in appreciation for the effort he made in his talk. For example when he says, “about a month later, I was in a performance by my daughter. Not much artistic talent…yet”, the audience chuckles showing their understanding of this moment. Clearly, Rick Elias’ use of language makes his Ted Talk very relatable. Finally, it is his message that makes this talk so intriguing and engaging. He asks the audience to think about what is important to them and what they would change in order to live the best life possible and be the best parent possible. The message is not to wait, but to live that life now. The message allows for the audience to connect, think and walk away learning something new, therefore Rick Elias has a very effective talk. In conclusion, Rick Elias’ talk is the most effective of all the Ted Talks viewed in class.

8. Steps • Pick your favourite Ted Talk • Review the criteria we created for a great Ted Talk • Decide on 3 reasons your chosen talk is the best talk • Complete the outline • Type up a rough draft • Get feedback from a peer (there is a sheet your teacher ill provide) • Edit your paragraph • Post it to the blog for the rest of the class to read and for your teacher to evaluate