Opinion Writing Prompts
Welcome to our opinion writing prompts! In addition to creative writing, another way to stretch our minds and skills as writers is to consider the benefits of opinion-based writing. How can we persuade, empathize with, educate, inform, and help those around us by sharing what we know and think? Use the categories of “Money,” “School,” “Sports,” “Family Life,” “Food,” and “Technology” to embrace the magic of writing. Writers are encouraged to plan and review their work. Keep in mind that some prompts may demand contextualization depending on the learner’s background and needs.
Opinion Writing Prompts
Category 1: Money
Money is an important topic; eventually, we all have to learn the value of money and financial literacy (understanding). We can work towards creating better financial literacy in our writing. This set of writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to reflect on this topic.
Grades K-2:
- Write a short essay about how important money is in leading a happy life.
- Respond to this question: Why is money not as important as some people say it is?
- Create a list of things that you feel are most important to you. How important is money? Where does it belong on your list?
Grades 3+:
- Write an essay that reveals your opinions on people who are extremely wealthy. Do you think they should keep all of their wealth or do you think they should give some of their money to charity?
- Write an essay about the cost of college and college debt. Do you think college should be free?
- What are your opinions on universal healthcare? In America, health insurance is made accessible through employment (your job). Do you think everyone should get healthcare for free? Why or why not? How does it work in countries where there is “universal healthcare?”
Category 2: School
School is an important topic for many; it is an experience that people share– we all receive an education from somewhere. This set of writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to reflect on this familiar topic.
Grades K-2:
- Create a table that shows the pros and cons of snow days.
- What is your favorite class and why?
- Which class or subject is your least favorite and why?
Grades 3+
- Write your opinion on whether or not it’s important to take Advanced courses in high school.
- Write an essay about whether or not you feel it’s important to have a part-time job.
- Write an essay about whether or not students should participate in many or fewer clubs
Category 3: Sports
Sports are an important topic for many! We are enthusiastic fanatics of the sports we love– we play them, we watch them, we obsess over them. This set of opinion writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to reflect on this topic.
Grades K-2:
- Which is the hardest sport to play? Why?
- In your opinion, which sport creates the most mental/ psychological pressure?
- Which kinds of athletes have the strictest diet why how do you know
Grades 3+:
- In your opinion, what kind of sport is hard to improve at?
- Which rare or lesser-recognized sport doesn’t get enough attention, but really should get more? Why?
- Should female athletes be paid as much as male athletes who play the same sport? Why?
Category 4: Siblings
Whether your family is small or large, the experience of having siblings, or not, is certainly worth reflecting on. You may have many opinions on this, indeed! This set of writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to reflect on this topic.
Grades K-2:
- Is it more fun to be an only child or have siblings?
- If you could build your family, how many siblings would you prefer to have? Why?
- Is it more fun to be the oldest sibling or the youngest sibling?
Grades 3+:
- Write a research paper about character traits of middle children. What kinds of personalities do they tend to have? What are the theories behind these claims?
- Write a persuasive essay about why big families or small families are better.
- Create an infographic about the best way to help take care of much younger siblings. you may need to include a few different parts on your infographic based on how young those siblings might be.
Category 5: Foods
Yum! Food is part of our daily routine, and you may have many ideas about the best and worst foods, cultures that have the best and unique flavors and recipes, and even foods that no one should ever eat again! This set of writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to reflect on food.
Grades K-2:
- Which is better: pancakes or waffles?
- Which is better: buffets or “sit down” meals?
- Write a persuasive speech about the best kind of french fry.
Grades 3+:
- Write a persuasive essay about a food you think that no one should ever eat again. Be sure to include rich details to convince your audience.
- Pretend you are delivering a speech live on television. Make an argument for chocolate or vanilla being the best flavor.
- Create an infographic about different kinds of foods from all over the world. In your opinion, which country has the best flavors?
Category 6: Technology
We plug in, we charge, we stream, we scroll. Technology is an important topic; it impacts our day-to-day lives and will continue to do so. This set of opinion writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to reflect on the power of existing and future technology.
Grades K-2:
- Is technology a help to students? Do you think it helps or hurts their ability to think?
- What do you think is one of the best resources that the internet provides?
- What is one technology you could not imagine yourself living without?
Grades 3+:
- What is one technology that you think should be installed in cars?
- What is one technology that you think should be available on every street corner or sidewalk?
- What is one technology that has not yet been solidly invented, but you predict will become very popular and part of everyday life in the future?