Unit 1: Non-Fiction
Lecture#2: Brake...Red Light!!
Hopefully, you did well on your Driver's Pre-Test, but don't worry if you
have room for improvement-you are going to learn quite a bit of information
over the next few activities. Before we start reading the Driver's Hand-Book, it
is important for us to reflect on the responsibilities of driving. We are going to
do this through Opinion Piece Writing.
Writing an Opinion Piece requires you to explain your opinion about a
statement or idea. Your Opinion Piece will be a well constructed, two
paragraph piece of writing. You will be expected to use the writing process as
well as edit your own and your classmate's work .
Here are some tips on how to write your Opinion Piece:
The following pointers will help you get started:
1. Have a hook. This is something that caches the reader's attention quickly.
2. Keep it brief. Two paragraphs isn't a lot of space.
3. Make a single point. Make one point clearly and persuasively.
4. Use examples. Anecdotes are personal stories and are persuasive tools. They help
explain and bring to life complicated issues.
5. Make a specific recommendation. This is an opinion piece. State your opinion and tell
the readers how you think matters can be improved.
6. Draw the reader in. Your first paragraph should draw in the reader by using a great
leading sentence.
7. End with a bang. Your final sentence is as important as your opening paragraph.
In the assignment section of this Activity you will be asked to Peer edit your classmate's
work.
What is Peer Editing?
1. A peer is someone your own age.
2. Editing means making suggestions, comments, compliments and suggestions for
changes.
So, peer editing means working with someone your own age to help improve, revise,
and edit his or her own writing.
Please follow the following steps when editing the work of others:
Step One: Compliment (I really liked the way you started this paragraph. It grabbed my
attention right away!)
Step Two: Suggestions (be specific) (Perhaps in the second paragraph, you could give
a personal example to help make your point),
Step Three: Corrections (spelling mistakes, grammar, run-on sentences) (I noticed a
spelling mistake in the second sentence - too should be to)