opinion essay for 7th grade

smartconnection.net

• Sample paper on e-commerce
• Problem solution essay example
• Drinking Age - sample paper
• Persuasive writing examples
• Sample definition essay on health
• Writing an essay using samples
• Education essay template
• Rhetorical analysis paper samples
• An informative paper about K-12
• Evaluative paper samples
• Sample papers about life stories
• Starting a paper on bullying
• Writing about team leadership
• Creating an essay on smoking
• 2000-word argumentative essay
• Tips for law school students
• Composing a piece about love
• Synthesis paper on voting
• Plagiarism checkers
• Writing about violence & rap music
• Writing a cause & effect essay
• Parts of a persuasive essay
• Role model definition paper samples
• Custom writing services
• Ideas for descriptive papers
• Keeping to the right layout
• Online Advertising - sample
• Essay example on digital media
• Writing a compare/contrast essay
• Creating a process analysis essay
• Descriptive essay topic sentence
• Paper writing assistance online
• Custom paper writing services
• Options of top-class paper writing help
• Composing a brilliant paper
• Buying a brilliant paper without scam
• Narrative writing basics
• Visual text analysis essay
• Writing a paper on pollution
• Expository piece on environment
• Crafting an opinion essay
• Selecting a writing company
• Reliable writing agencies
• Creating a self-evaluation paper
• Personal essay writing secrets
• Writing a sociology paper
• Starting an informative piece
• Composing a 3-paragraph paper
• Writing a piece on being famous
• Creating a text response
• Visual image analysis essays
• Writing a literary analysis paper
• Constructing a thesis
• Problem solution ideas on sports
• Argumentative prompts on global issues
• Fresh ideas for 5th graders
• Writing on gay marriage
• Narrative essay writing prompts
• Expository writing ideas
• Questions for a biology paper
• Compare/contrast essay topics
• Discussing philosophy of fashion
• Exploratory writing prompts
• Ideas for an opinion essay
• US history questions
• Undergraduate illustration paper ideas
• Paper topics on the Civil War
• College paper topic ides to write about
• Elementary School essay topics
• Critical analysis paper topics
• Paper ideas about national cuisine
• 7 years narrative paper subjects
• Road safety essay topic ideas
• Persuasive writing prompts
• Potential titles on nutrition
• Discursive paper topics
• Topics for Romeo and Juliet
• Expository essay writing ideas

The 15 Best Opinion Essay Topics For 7th Grade Students

The most important thing you need to keep in mind while writing an opinion essay is that you need to express your opinion. It is not exactly an argumentative discussion where you provide an argument and then the counter argument. You do not have to provide someone else’s point of view instead write what you personally think about the situation or subject.

The best opinion essay topics by #

• Which one do you prefer, living in the country or living in the city?
• Face to face communication has been damaged beyond repair due to social networking. Do you agree or disagree?
• Do you think people gain success only because of hard work or luck plays a part?
• Do you think movies or TV episodes influence the watcher’s behavior? What kind of things will leave an impression on the viewer? Give examples and case studies in support of your views.
• We have to do stuff that we do not enjoy, yet circumstances make us do it. Do you think we always have a choice?
• Which is better: going to school or being home schooled?
• What is your stand when it comes to the relationship between humans and earth? Do you think we are destroying nature or humans make earth a better place?
• Why should a person go to the museum when visiting a foreign country? What do you think you will learn if you go to a museum in a different country?
• Which is better, eating at a food joint or preparing your food at home? Give scientific reasons behind your choice.
• How to spend a holiday?
• Do you think Zoos and national parks serves any purpose? Should wild animals be kept in enclosures sole for the purpose of the human race’s entertainment?
• While some argue that advertising make us buy unnecessary products others point out that it helps in promoting knowledge about a new product. What do you think?
• Which animal do you think is the most useful to hums? Give reasons as to why you think it is useful.
• Why do you think motion pictures are so much more popular than books? Even when books are more informative. Which one do you prefer and why?
• Which one do you think is more productive: studying alone in a calm environment or studying with a group of friends and helping each other out whenever necessary?

Professional essay writers - are here to write your essay from scratch.

Other Sites

• UsEssayWriters
• PaperWritingPros
• Essay service - EssayMill
• Tips for essay writers from experts.

Useful Directions

• Creating a strong literary essay
• Literary criticism paper samples

2024 - © SmartConnection.net. All rights reserved.

• Online Calculus Tutors
• Online Geometry Tutors
• Online Algebra Tutors
• Online Trigonometry Tutors
• Online Statistics Tutors
• Online Chemistry Tutors
• Online Macroeconomics Tutors
• Online English Tutors
• Online Physics Tutors
• Online Computer Science Tutors
• Online Accounting Tutors
• Online Biology Tutors
• Online Business Studies Tutors
• Online Finance Tutors
• Online Programming Tutors
• Online Management Tutors
• Online Science Tutors
• Year 2 Maths
• Year 3 Maths
• Year 4 Maths
• Year 5 Maths
• Year 6 Maths
• Year 2 English
• Year 3 English
• Year 4 English
• Year 5 English
• Year 6 English
• Year 7 Maths
• Year 8 Maths
• Year 9 Maths
• Year 10 Maths
• Year 10 Advance Maths
• Year 7 English
• Year 8 English
• Year 9 English
• Year 10 English
• Year 11 General Maths
• Year 11 Chemistry SA,NT
• Year 11 General Mathematics VIC
• Year 11 Mathematical Methods
• Year 11 Mathematics Standard
• Year 11 Chemistry ACT
• Year 11 Mathematics Extension 1
• Year 11 Mathematical Methods SA, NT
• Year 11 Mathematical Methods VIC
• Year 11 Mathematical Applications
• Year 11 Chemistry QLD
• Year 11 Literature ATAR
• Year 11 English - QLD
• Year 11 English Advanced NSW
• Year 11 EALD Level 3
• Year 11 English Language
• Year 11 Essential English M
• Year 11 Essential Skills TAS
• Year 11 Essential English
• Year 11 Bridging EAL
• Year 11 EALD Level 1
• Year 11 Stage 1 Essential English
• Year 11 English General
• Year 11 Mathematics Advanced
• Year 11 EAL
• Year 11 English Standard
• Year 11 EALD ATAR
• Year 12 Mathematics Standard
• Year 12 Further Mathematics
• Year 12 Mathematics Applications
• Year 12 Mathematics Extension 1
• Year 12 Mathematics Methods
• Year 12 Mathematics Advanced
• Year 12 Mathematics Methods VIC
• Year 12 Mathematics Methods - TAS
• Year 12 General Mathematics TAS
• Year 11 English T
• Year 12 Mathematical Methods - QLD
• Year 12 General Mathematics SA, NT
• Year 11 Foundation English
• Year 11 English Studies
• Year 11 Literacy Short Course
• Year 11 English Preliminary
• Year 12 English ATAR
• Year 11 EAL/D
• Year 12 English Extension 2
• Year 12 EAL/D
• Year 12 EALD ATAR WA
• Year 12 English Foundation
• Year 12 English Extension 1
• Year 12 Literature
• Year 12 Stage 2 Essential English
• Year 12 English Literature ATAR
• Year 12 Stage 2 English
• Year 12 EALD Level 2 - TAS
• Year 12 English Advanced NSW
• Year 12 Chemistry VIC
• Year 12 English Language
• Year 12 English Literature T - ACT
• Year 12 English Foundation WA
• Year 12 English Standard NSW Learning Programs
• Year 11 Chemistry WA
• Year 11 Chemistry - VIC
• Year 12 Chemistry - QLD
• Year 12 Chemistry - TAS
• Year 12 Chemistry - WA
• Year 12 Chemistry - NSW
• Year 12 Chemistry - ACT
• Online Tutors in Sydney
• Online Tutors in Melbourne
• Online Tutors in Brisbane
• Online Tutors in Gold Coast
• Online Tutors in Perth
• Online Tutors in Canberra
• Online Tutors in Adelaide
• Online Tutors in Newcastle
• HSC Papers 2019
• HSC Papers 2018
• HSC Papers 2017

Book a Free Demo

Math Calculus Geometry Algebra Trigonometry Statistics Chemistry Economics Macroeconomics English Physics Computer Science Accounting Biology Business Studies Finance Programming Management Science Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 College

Search Here

Recent posts.

• General Achievement Test Australia
• ESL vs English Tutoring – What Makes Them Different?
• Know the Grading System in Australia
• GED vs HiSET: All You Need To Know
• HSPT vs PSAT: Which One Is Beneficial For You?
• WordPress.org
• Documentation
• Support Forums

The Ultimate Guide to Opinion Writing for Students and Teachers

The Importance of Opinion Writing

Encouraging our students to express their personal opinions is an important part of the learning process; healthy even. To do this effectively, it is equally important that we help them acquire the necessary skills to express these opinions in a reasoned and coherent manner when teaching opinion writing.

Writing is one of the best possible vehicles for our students not only to express their opinions but to explore the strength and validity of those opinions.

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY

For our students to competently express their opinions in writing, they must first understand the specific requirements of the type of question they are answering. Of course, there are many types of questions and fun opinion writing prompts that are geared towards coaxing personal opinions from a student and each will require its own specific tailored response.

It’s clear that personal opinions permeate a wide range of genres and media. We find opinions everywhere from hotel reviews and infomercials to political commentary and newspaper editorials. But, despite the diversity of forms opinion writing can take, we can helpfully identify some general criteria that will assist our students in navigating the challenge of most opinion writing prompts and questions.

Let’s take a look at some of these criteria in more detail.

A COMPLETE UNIT FOR TEACHING OPINION WRITING

Teach your students to write EXCELLENT PERSUASIVE ESSAYS and master INFLUENTIAL WRITING SKILLS using PROVEN TEACHING STRATEGIES with this 140-PAGE UNIT.

ALL RESOURCES AND ASSESSMENT TOOLS INCLUDED – NO PREP REQUIRED.

30+ 5-star Ratings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

OPINION WRITING CRITERIA TO ADDRESS

1. identify the audience: speak clearly.

Writing is about language and language is about communication; students should understand that we do not write in a vacuum. The purpose of an essay, letter, or any other form of writing we care to name, is ultimately to be read.

This means that it is essential that consideration be given to the character of the intended audience. Also, remind students that when they are writing, the reader is not privy to the inner workings of the writer’s mind. They must make their thoughts explicit in their writing and ensure that these thoughts are expressed in a coherent manner.

The student writer should always avoid making the assumption that the reader knows things that are not expressed explicitly in the writing.

2. Take a Stance: Stand Firm

From the very outset, the student should state their position boldly. More than that, they must stand firm in that opinion throughout the entirety of the piece.

Opinion writing is not about communicating a series of pros and cons or discussing at length the various related advantages and disadvantages, the place for that is not here. The opinion piece should open with a bold statement of opinion that is clearly expressed, and that opinion should be held unwaveringly and reinforced constantly throughout the text.

As with many other writing genres , employing a hook to grab the reader’s attention is good practice too. This hook can take the form of a quotation, an anecdote, a statistic, or even a joke. Whatever form the hook takes, it should reveal the writer’s take on things too.

To summarize, whatever the topic and however the student opens their opinion piece, they should ensure they express their opinion immediately and coherently. There should be no doubt in the reader’s mind as to where the student-writer stands on the issue.

3. Choose Appropriate Evidence: Back It Up

There is no doubt that subjectivity is an important aspect of opinion writing in general. That does not mean, however, that opinions do not need to be substantiated.

Your students will need to recognize that each and every statement of opinion will need to be supported by appropriate evidence. This will also help students to develop their critical reading skills as they will be able to better recognize when unsubstantiated claims are made by other writers. Opinions backed up with evidence help lead the reader along the writer’s pathways of thought; making the writing more convincing as a whole.

This evidence can take a wide variety of forms, ranging from personal anecdotes and quotations to statistics and references to scientific studies. Students should also always be encouraged to choose evidence that is broadly suited to the subject they are writing about.

4. Draw Conclusions: Wrap It Up

In the well-organized piece of opinion writing, as with many other types of extended writing, the writing should be structured in paragraphs. Paragraphs are essential elements of good writing organization.

Generally speaking, an opening paragraph gives way to body paragraphs. These body paragraphs, or development paragraphs, describe in more detail the ideas laid out in the initial opening paragraph by further exploring, explaining, and providing supporting evidence for each point.

The final concluding paragraph serves to close the circle by restating the central points in a closing endeavor to drive home the writer’s opinion.

5. A Word on Words

Writing is an art form. Attention to detail is important. But, it isn’t only important to look at the big picture things like structure, students should be encouraged to shift their focus from the text level down to the word and sentence levels too. In an opinion piece, strong, forceful verbs should be the order of the day. There is little space for passive forms when engaged in the construction of convincing arguments.

Things should be kept interesting too. Students should vary their sentence structures grammatically and in length. Variety is key.

 As always in writing, editing should be emphasized. The editing process polishes the well-wrought opinion piece by putting the final gloss on the student’s work.

The OREO Opinion Writing Process Explained

As with all genres, there’s a lot to remember here and acronyms are a helpful way to commit these important things to memory. Luckily, few things can be easier to commit to memory than the name of a delicious cookie:

O – Opinion

R – Reasons

E – Evidence or Examples

O – Opinion (restated)

This memorable acronym will help students remember some of the main elements of opinion writing as outlined above. But, sometimes the hardest thing for students to do is to get the writing ball rolling.

Opinionated Sentence Starters

Sentence starters provide students with great ways to kick-start their writing. Reminding students of simple ways of introducing opinion sentences can be helpful. Here are a few for ‘starters’ for starters:

●     In my opinion…

●     I think that…

●     It seems to me that…

●     It appears to me…

●     I feel that…

Once the student-writer has effectively expressed their opinion on a matter, they then will need to provide the reader with the reasons for why they think what they think. In an essay, these reasons will usually be found in the body paragraphs or development paragraphs. Normally, these paragraphs will explore a single reason each.

Some helpful sentence starters for introducing these reasons include:

●     One reason I feel this way is…

●     Evidence to support this can be found in…

●     I believe this to evident in…

Opinion Writing Activities for Students

Students will certainly need practice completing sustained pieces of opinion writing, but some of the most valuable activities to help students evolve their opinion writing abilities barely require a pen to be put to paper.

While the following two activities do not require students to engage in extended pieces of writing, the activities below will assist students in grasping some essential concepts. These activities demonstrate good practice through modelling and also encourage dialogue, discussion, and debate as a means to strengthen opinion writing.

Activity 1: Opinion Writing – What Is It?

This exercise is a good follow-up to introductory work outlining the criteria of opinion writing as described above.

●     Start by passing out copies of a piece of opinion writing you have selected to read with the class. Read the text aloud as the students follow along with their copy. The opinion text chosen can come from a wide range of genres, including advertisements, letters, editorials, essays, articles, or reviews.

●     Assign students a talking partner and instruct students to take five minutes to identify the various criteria employed in the text. Encourage students to mark and annotate their copies of the text accordingly. You may even wish to supply students with a checklist compiled from the criteria mentioned previously in this article.

●     As a whole class, discuss how successfully the text fulfills the criteria. What did the writer do well? What could they have done better? You can record their responses on the whiteboard.

The aim of this exercise is for students to hone their critical faculties while internalizing the criteria. This will reap rewards when the students later engage in their own extended opinion writing.

Activity 2: The Collaborative Case

This activity employs collaboration to help students build a stronger case for their opinion on a divisive issue.

●     First, define the parameters of the exercise by presenting an either/or conundrum to the class. This doesn’t have to be overly controversial in nature, just stated in such a way that it forces the students to take one side or another. This could be stated simply as a choice, e.g. Dogs or cats? City or countryside? Beach or Mountains? Sweet or savory?

●     Students then divide into two groups according to their stated preferences. In their groups, they then discuss and compile as many supporting reasons for their choice as they can come up with. As a group, they will discuss the relative merits of each reason, before agreeing on their top five.

●     The groups then share their reasons in a debate format, using arguments and counter-arguments, leading into an open, free-ranging discussion.

The value of this exercise lies in the collaborative and ‘combative’ natures of the exercises. Just as our physical muscles can grow through resistance, so too can the strength and resilience of our opinions and arguments.

This activity can also be used as a lead-in to opinion writing as it works well as a prewriting preparation exercise. The complexity of the issue to be discussed and debated can easily be modified to suit the abilities of the students too.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE  is like  “SPECIAL EFFECTS FOR AUTHORS.”  It is a powerful tool to create  VIVID IMAGERY  through words. This  HUGE UNIT  guides you through completely understanding  FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE .

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (26 Reviews)

OPINION WRITING VIDEO TUTORIALS

These videos from teaching without frills are an excellent starting point for opinion writing. You can view the entire collection here.

  The Wrap Up

Opinion writing is a higher-level skill that makes many demands on our students. It will challenge them to move beyond parroting the facts and figures they have acquired in their learning to formulate their own thoughts on topics they have learned about in class, or in the wider world beyond the school gates.

It will make demands on their skill as writers too. Our students must learn to mold and mechanically manipulate the language on the page to express their beliefs persuasively and effectively. To do this successfully, they will need ample opportunities to practice their writing craft. Once a firm understanding of the structures involved has been established, the student can become more fluid in their expression. They will add art and flair to their craft. But first, they must build on these firm foundations.

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO OPINION WRITING

Top 5 Persuasive Writing Techniques for Students

5 Top Persuasive Writing Lesson Plans for Students and Teachers

How to Write Perfect Persuasive Essays in 5 Simple Steps

23 Persuasive writing Topics for High School students

How to Write a Winning Debate Speech

Writing Prompts for 7th Grade

Compassionate Eye Foundation/Robert Kent/Getty Images

• Lesson Plans
• Grading Students for Assessment
• Becoming A Teacher
• Assessments & Tests
• Elementary Education
• Special Education
• Homeschooling

By seventh grade, students should be refining the core writing skills of brainstorming , researching, outlining, drafting, and revising. In order to hone these skills, seventh-grade students need regular practice writing a variety of essay styles, including narrative, persuasive, expository , and creative essays. The following essay prompts offer age-appropriate starting points to help seventh graders flex their writing muscles.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essays share a personal experience to tell a story, usually to make a point rather than merely to entertain. These narrative essay prompts encourage students to describe and reflect on a story that's meaningful to them.

• Embarrassing Pasts - As people get older, they are sometimes embarrassed by things they used to like, such as toys, television shows, or nicknames. Describe something that you used to enjoy that you now find embarrassing. Why is it embarrassing now?
• Bonds of Hardship - Sometimes difficulties draw families closer. Describe something that your family endured together that strengthened your relationships.
• There’s No Place Like Home - What makes your hometown special? Explain this special quality.
• New Kid in Town - Being new to a town or school can be challenging because you don’t know anyone, or exciting because no one knows you and your past. Describe a time when you were the new kid.
• Finders Keepers -  Write about a time when you lost (or found) something of value. How did that experience affect your opinion of the saying, “Finders keepers; losers weepers?"
• Follow the Leader -  Describe a time when you were in a leadership role. How did it make you feel? What did you learn from the experience?
• April Fools -  Write about the best prank you’ve ever played on someone (or had played on you). What made it so clever or funny?
• Bon Appetit - Special meals can be powerful memory-makers. Write about a specific meal that stands out in your memory. What made it so unforgettable?
• Bon Voyage - Family trips and vacations also create lasting memories. Write an essay detailing your favorite family vacation memory.
• Batter Up -  Write about a valuable lesson that you learned while playing your favorite sport.
• Best Friends Forever -  Describe your friendship with your BFF and what makes it so important to you.
• The Real Me -  What is one thing you wish your parents, teachers, or coaches really understood or knew about you?
• TV -  Explain what makes your favorite television show so enjoyable or relatable to you.

Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts

Persuasive essays use facts and reasoning to convince the reader to embrace the writer’s opinion or take a course of action. These essay prompts empower seventh graders to write persuasively about an issue they genuinely care about. 

• Outdated Laws - What is one law or family or school rule that you think needs to be changed? Convince lawmakers, your parents, or school leaders to make the change.
• Bad Ads - Advertising can have a powerful impact on consumers. What is a product that you’ve seen advertised that you don’t think should be? Explain why the media should quit showing these ads.
• Puppy Love - You want a pet, but your parents don’t think you need one. What would you say to change their minds?
• Lights, Camera - What is your favorite book of all time? Write an essay convincing a producer to make a movie about it.
• Snooze Button - Studies have shown that tweens and teens need more sleep. Write a proposal for a later school start time.
• Body Shop - Magazines can negatively impact their readers’ body image by using edited images of models. Convince a teen magazine publisher that they should not use heavily-edited model images in their publication.
• It Can’t Be Over - The network is canceling your favorite television show. Write a paper convincing the station that they’re making a mistake.
• Curfews -  Some malls have policies forbidding kids under 18 to be at the mall without adult supervision during certain times. Do you think this is fair or unfair? Defend your position.
• Team Spirit - Should homeschooled students be allowed to play sports on public or private school teams? Why or why not?
• Smartphones - All of your friends have the latest smartphone, but you only have a “dumb phone.” Should your parents upgrade your phone, or are smartphones for middle school kids a bad idea?
• Bullies - Some dogs, such as pit bulls or Dobermans, are labeled “bully breeds.” Is this label deserved or undeserved?
• Money Can’t Buy You Love - People say that money can’t buy happiness, but some studies have shown that people with higher incomes may be happier . Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
• Ratings -  There are age restrictions on movies and video games, ratings on television shows, and warning labels on music. Computers and smartphones offer parental controls. Do adults have too much control over what kids watch and listen to or do these restrictions serve a valuable purpose?

Expository Essay Writing Prompts

Expository essays describe a process or provide factual information. These prompts can serve as jumping-off points for the explanatory process. 

• School’s in Session - Would you rather attend public school, private school, or be homeschooled. Explain the benefits of your choice.
• Admiration -  Who do you admire from your life or history? Write an essay describing how their character or contributions to their community have earned your respect.
• Global Community -  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Write about your dream hometown and why you want to live there.
• Peer Problems - Peer pressure and bullying can make life as a middle school student difficult. Describe a time you were pressured or bullied and how it affected you.
• Order Up -  A friend wants to learn how to make your favorite food. Detail the process, step-by-step, so your friend can recreate the dish.
• Addictions - Many people are impacted by drug or alcohol addictions. Share facts about how the use of these substances negatively affects families or communities. 
• Serve Others - Community service is a valuable experience. Describe a time you volunteered. What did you do and how did it make you feel?
• City or Country Mouse - Do you live in a big city or a small town? Explain why you do or don’t like living there.
• Aspirations - What do you want to be when you’re an adult? Explain why you’d choose that career  or what you’ll do to prepare for it.
• Point in Time - Sometimes people bury time capsules so future generations can learn about the past. What would you include to give an accurate snapshot of life in the current time?
• Hobbyist -  You’re friend wants to take up your favorite hobby. Explain it to him.
• SOS - A natural disaster has destroyed homes and businesses in a nearby city. Describe what you can do to help.
• Wonder Twin Power - Some superheroes can fly or become invisible. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Creative Essay Writing Prompts

Creative essays are fictional stories. They use plot, character, and dialog to engage and entertain the reader. These prompts will get the creative juices flowing. 

• Fan Fic -  Write a story about your favorite characters from a book, film, or television show.
• Cats vs. Dogs - You have two pets of different species. Write a story from their point of view about a day at home alone.
• Time Travel - You find a time machine in your backyard. What happens when you step inside?
• Dream State - Think about a time when you woke in the middle of a vivid dream. What would have happened if the dream hadn’t been interrupted?
• New Door -  You’ve just discovered a door that you’ve never seen before. What happens when you walk through it?
• Secret Keeper - You find out your best friend has kept a secret from you. What is the secret and why didn’t your friend tell you?
• Fridge Fun - Write a story from the perspective of an item in your refrigerator.
• Desert Island - You’ve just discovered an uncharted island. What happens next?
• Fly on the Wall - You see two people talking excitedly, but you can’t hear what they’re saying. Write a story about what they might be saying.
• Special Delivery - You receive a battered package in the mail. Write a story about its journey from the sender to you.
• A Mile in My Shoes - You find a pair of shoes in the thrift store and put them on. Suddenly you find yourself transported into someone else’s life. Describe what happens.
• Mission to Mars - Imagine that you’re a pioneer to start a colony on Mars. Write about a typical day on your new planet.
• Snow Days - You find yourself snowed in for a week with your family. There is no electricity or phone service. What do you do for fun?
• 50 Great Topics for a Process Analysis Essay
• Writing Prompts for 5th Grade
• First Grade Writing Prompts
• Second Grade Writing Prompts
• Engaging Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders
• 4th Grade Writing Prompts
• 24 Journal Prompts for Creative Writing in the Elementary Classroom
• Fun March Writing Prompts for Journaling
• Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students
• February Writing Prompts
• November Writing and Journal Prompts
• 49 Opinion Writing Prompts for Students
• Journal Writing Prompts for Easter
• The 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts
• 40 "Back From Christmas Break" Writing Prompts
• Creative Journal Topics Involving Different Perspectives

JournalBuddies.com

Journal Buddies Jill | August 18, 2023 January 19, 2023 | Prompts by Grade

30 Powerful Writing Prompts for 7th Grade

Writing Prompts for 7th Grade Writers — Hooray! The post is now updated and includes a grand total of 60 writing prompts and essay ideas. Take a look and enjoy.

Yeppers. As seventh graders get ready to transition into their turbulent teenage years, it’s incredibly important for teachers to do everything they can to keep their students focused and grounded.

Seventh grade can be a stressful year for many teenagers—they may feel a newfound sense of maturity and pride, but they also will likely feel the burdens of new expectations and greater responsibilities. 

The Incredible Power of Words

One of the best ways to help your 7 th graders through this challenging transitional period is to show them how writing can serve as a safe outlet for all of their feelings and ideas.  (Yes, writing prompts for 7th grade writers can and will help, too!)

When students journal, they have the freedom to fully explore their thoughts without interruptions or the fear of judgment from others.

Best of all…

T hey also frequently come to understand themselves, their actions, and their emotions even better when they can trace their journey back on the page.

If you’re looking for a new way to help your students explore and express themselves through the power of writing, use these fabulous 7th-grade writing prompts to get them started!

30 Writing Prompts for 7th Grade

I think your students will love these ideas. Now, take a look and enjoy this list of writing prompts for 7th grade writers.

• Write about a person you admire. How can you emulate him or her?
• What is your greatest belief? Write about why you feel so strongly about it.
• Write a poem about growing older.
• Write about a time when you got caught doing something you shouldn’t have been doing.
• Write about the last time you sat down and had a conversation with one of your grandparents. When was it? What did you talk about?
• Write about a time when you could tell you had let someone down. How did you feel?
• Have you ever felt like you had to do something because a friend asked you to? Write about your experience.
• What is the best way to spend time with a friend? Why?
• How frequently do you give time or money to charity? Who do you contribute to and why?
• Write about how technology has changed the way students learn today.
• Write about a way that you act differently at home than at school.
• Spend five minutes looking around the classroom. Did you see anything you’d never noticed before? Did you see anything familiar in a new light?
• If you had the opportunity to be home-schooled for high school, would you take it? Why or why not?  
• What does it mean to have school spirit? How can you show your school spirit?

• Have you ever lost a friend? What happened? How did it make you feel?
• If you had to choose three books to take to a desert island, which would you pick and why?
• Why is it important for students to be involved in extracurricular activities?
• Write about a time when being “polite” kept you from saying something you wanted to say. How did that make you feel?
• Write a review about the most recent movie or TV show you loved—and try to convince other people to see it.
• Write a review about the most recent movie or TV show you hated—and try to convince other people not to see it.
• What is your favorite quality about yourself? Why?
• What is your least favorite quality about yourself? How can you try to improve it?
• If you found $500 on the ground, what would you do with it? What if you couldn’t find the owner?
• Write a poem about the way you feel when you sit down to take a test.
• Write about a time when you mistakenly judged someone by his or her appearance. What did you learn?
• Why is space exploration so important in today’s world?
• Write about something you wish you could do more often. What stops you from doing this thing frequently? Is there anything you can do to change that?
• If you could travel back in time and change any one thing about your past, would you? If so, what would you change and why? If not, why wouldn’t you?
• How do you define success?

I hope you enjoyed this list of writing prompts for 7th grade.

In case the above list of writing ideas wasn’t enough to spark your student’s creative muse, here are 30 more ideas:

Bonus List of 30 MORE Prompts and Essay Writing Ideas

Yeppers… here are even more writing prompts for 7th grade writers. This list includes some great essay writing topics.

• Imagine you are an animal in the zoo and write an essay from the animal’s perspective about a typical day.
• What are some of the positive and negative effects of peer pressure on you and your friends?
• How did your life change after you got a smartphone? How would it be different without phone service?
• Write about your experience growing up with the Internet. (Discover even more Narrative essay writing prompts)
• Write a short story about some of your favorite characters.
• Public school compared to private school.  Compare and contrast the differences in an essay (discover 31 compare and contrast essay topics ).
• Is leadership important to you and do you like to take a leadership role in your life?  Why or why not?
• Write an essay on your school leaders and how you view them.
•  Small town or a big city… which do you prefer?
• List 10 different types of community service that you could perform this year.  Then, choose one that you would like to commit to doing and write about what you will do and why.
• What would you do if one of your classmates was being teased at school?  Could your response be considered an act of service?  Why or why not?
• Are you assigned too much homework, not enough, just right, or…
• If you could be any famous person, who would you be and why?
• Write a story about a challenging personal experience you’ve gone through and what you learned from it.
• How do the word choices you make each day affect how your feel?
• What is your favorite genre of writing and why?
• If I had a time machine, I’d…
• Write about a local attraction in your community and what makes it unique.
• Is correct punctuation and grammar usage still important in today’s world or are they things of the past?
• What are the family traits you admire most about your family members (siblings, parents, a cousin you are very close to…) 
• If you had one superpower, what would it be?
• What is the best prank you could pull on your best friend?
• Write about the differences and similarities between apples and oranges
• If I were a rainbow…
• This is what makes my hometown special…
• Write about what it was like to be a pioneer
• Write about a school rule you strongly agree with and why.
• Find a photograph on your phone that makes you very happy and write a story about it.
• What does it mean to be a hero?
• What are the primary differences between junior and high school students? 

More Writing Prompts and Resources for 7th Grade

• 7th Grade Writing Prompts: 32 New Ideas
• 7th Grade Writing Worksheets
• 34 Fun Creative essay writing prompts
• 33 Expository essay writing prompts for Students
• 12 Creative writing essay prompts

Until next time, write on…

If you enjoyed these Writing Prompts for 7th Grade Writers , please share them on social media via Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it!

Sincerely, Jill journalbuddies.com creator and curator

Tap to See Prompts 32 Free & Fun 7th Grade Writing Prompts 31 Creative Writing Prompts for Teens 27 Amazing Picture Writing Prompts for Kids ------------Start of Om Added --------- @media (min-width: 320px) and (max-width: 767px) { .inside-right-sidebar { display: none !important; } } Search Now Offering You 18,000+ Prompts!

Tap to See Prompts 32 Free & Fun 7th Grade Writing Prompts 31 Creative Writing Prompts for Teens 27 Amazing Picture Writing Prompts for Kids Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7-8 Grade 9-12 All Ages ------------End of Om Added --------- Tags 7th Grade Writers , 7th graders , Grade 7 , Grade 7-8 , help students , help your students , journal , journal ideas , journal prompts , journal writing , journal writing prompts , power of writing , prompt , Prompt Ideas , Seventh grade , students , students journal , teachers , writers , writing , writing ideas , writing prompt , Writing prompt Ideas div#postbottom { margin-top: 12px; } Search Now Offering You 18,000+ Prompts!

If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

To log in and use all the features of Khan Academy, please enable JavaScript in your browser.

Praxis Core Writing

Course: praxis core writing   >   unit 1, argumentative essay | quick guide.

• Source-based essay | Quick guide
• Revision in context | Quick guide
• Within-sentence punctuation | Quick guide
• Subordination and coordination | Quick guide
• Independent and dependent Clauses | Video lesson
• Parallel structure | Quick guide
• Modifier placement | Quick guide
• Shifts in verb tense | Quick guide
• Pronoun clarity | Quick guide
• Pronoun agreement | Quick guide
• Subject-verb agreement | Quick guide
• Noun agreement | Quick guide
• Frequently confused words | Quick guide
• Conventional expressions | Quick guide
• Logical comparison | Quick guide
• Concision | Quick guide
• Adjective/adverb confusion | Quick guide
• Negation | Quick guide
• Capitalization | Quick guide
• Apostrophe use | Quick guide
• Research skills | Quick guide

Argumentative essay (30 minutes)

• states or clearly implies the writer’s position or thesis
• organizes and develops ideas logically, making insightful connections between them
• clearly explains key ideas, supporting them with well-chosen reasons, examples, or details
• displays effective sentence variety
• clearly displays facility in the use of language
• is generally free from errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
• organizes and develops ideas clearly, making connections between them
• explains key ideas, supporting them with relevant reasons, examples, or details
• displays some sentence variety
• displays facility in the use of language
• states or implies the writer’s position or thesis
• shows control in the organization and development of ideas
• explains some key ideas, supporting them with adequate reasons, examples, or details
• displays adequate use of language
• shows control of grammar, usage, and mechanics, but may display errors
• limited in stating or implying a position or thesis
• limited control in the organization and development of ideas
• inadequate reasons, examples, or details to explain key ideas
• an accumulation of errors in the use of language
• an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
• no clear position or thesis
• weak organization or very little development
• few or no relevant reasons, examples, or details
• frequent serious errors in the use of language
• frequent serious errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
• contains serious and persistent writing errors or
• is incoherent or
• is undeveloped or
• is off-topic

How should I build a thesis?

• (Choice A)   Kids should find role models that are worthier than celebrities because celebrities may be famous for reasons that aren't admirable. A Kids should find role models that are worthier than celebrities because celebrities may be famous for reasons that aren't admirable.
• (Choice B)   Because they profit from the admiration of youths, celebrities have a moral responsibility for the reactions their behaviors provoke in fans. B Because they profit from the admiration of youths, celebrities have a moral responsibility for the reactions their behaviors provoke in fans.
• (Choice C)   Celebrities may have more imitators than most people, but they hold no more responsibility over the example they set than the average person. C Celebrities may have more imitators than most people, but they hold no more responsibility over the example they set than the average person.
• (Choice D)   Notoriety is not always a choice, and some celebrities may not want to be role models. D Notoriety is not always a choice, and some celebrities may not want to be role models.
• (Choice E)   Parents have a moral responsibility to serve as immediate role models for their children. E Parents have a moral responsibility to serve as immediate role models for their children.

How should I support my thesis?

• (Choice A)   As basketball star Charles Barkley stated in a famous advertising campaign for Nike, he was paid to dominate on the basketball court, not to raise your kids. A As basketball star Charles Barkley stated in a famous advertising campaign for Nike, he was paid to dominate on the basketball court, not to raise your kids.
• (Choice B)   Many celebrities do consider themselves responsible for setting a good example and create non-profit organizations through which they can benefit youths. B Many celebrities do consider themselves responsible for setting a good example and create non-profit organizations through which they can benefit youths.
• (Choice C)   Many celebrities, like Kylie Jenner with her billion-dollar cosmetics company, profit directly from being imitated by fans who purchase sponsored products. C Many celebrities, like Kylie Jenner with her billion-dollar cosmetics company, profit directly from being imitated by fans who purchase sponsored products.
• (Choice D)   My ten-year-old nephew may love Drake's music, but his behaviors are more similar to those of the adults he interacts with on a daily basis, like his parents and teachers. D My ten-year-old nephew may love Drake's music, but his behaviors are more similar to those of the adults he interacts with on a daily basis, like his parents and teachers.
• (Choice E)   It's very common for young people to wear fashions similar to those of their favorite celebrities. E It's very common for young people to wear fashions similar to those of their favorite celebrities.

Want to join the conversation?

• Upvote Button navigates to signup page
• Downvote Button navigates to signup page
• Flag Button navigates to signup page

Filter Results

• clear all filters

Resource Type

•  Worksheets
• Guided Lessons
• Lesson Plans
• Hands-on Activities
• Interactive Stories
• Online Exercises
• Printable Workbooks
• Science Projects
• Song Videos

middle-school

•  Fine arts
•  Math
•  Reading
•  Writing Process
•  Writing Organization and Structure
• Genre Writing
•  Fiction Writing
• Reflective Writing
• Research Writing
• Informational Writing
•  Opinion Writing
• Persuasive Writing
• Argument Writing
• Narrative Writing
• Essay Writing
• Response to Literature
•  Research Strategies
•  Grammar
•  Science
•  Social emotional
•  Social studies
•  Common Core

Printable 7th Grade Opinion Writing Worksheets

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

100 Last-Day-of-School Activities Your Students Will Love!

33 Mentor Texts for Opinion Writing

Show kids how powerful sharing ideas in writing can be.

In today’s world, we want our teaching to inspire students to be forward thinkers and changemakers. Teaching them how to share their opinions in writing is a key ingredient. Let’s get kids making signs and writing letters, lists, reviews, essays, blog posts, and speeches! Check out some of our favorite opinion-writing mentor texts to bring this important genre to life for kids. We’ve got plenty of picture books for the younger set, and titles to help older kids make the leap to persuasive writing backed by researched facts.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. We Disagree by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

A mouse and a squirrel think differently about, well, everything. Can they ever be friends? This is such a cute title for introducing kids to what it means to share an opinion, and it could lead to plenty of writing prompts to open an opinion-writing unit.

Buy it: We Disagree on Amazon

2. I Love Insects by Lizzy Rockwell

This early reader should definitely be in your primary classroom collection of opinion-writing mentor texts to help introduce the genre. Do you love insects? Two kids give competing reasons for why and why not. Read it aloud and head straight into shared writing of a list of pros and cons.

Buy it: I Love Insects on Amazon

3. Usha and the Big Digger by Amitha Jagannath Knight

To introduce kids to opinion writing, you need opinion-writing mentor texts to teach them what “opinions” are—and Usha, Aarti, and Gloria have them in this book! They each see something different when they look at the stars. This book could lead to a great introduction activity in which students try to convince each other that they see the Big Dipper, a “Big Digger,” a “Big Kite …” or something else. (Hint: It’s all in your perspective!)

Buy it: Usha and the Big Digger on Amazon

 4. Don’t Feed the Bear by Kathleen Doherty

When a park ranger puts up a “Don’t Feed the Bear” reminder, he has no idea about the persuasive sign-writing battle he’ll set in motion. (Strategic language includes “Please feed the ranger rotten eggs and slimy spinach.”) Share this hilarious title to introduce students to using signs to influence others’ thinking.

Buy it: Don’t Feed the Bear on Amazon

5. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

Let a favorite character guide young students in the art of persuasion. The bus driver does not want Pigeon in the driver’s seat, but the well-known bird builds an emotional and unrelenting case.

Buy it: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! on Amazon

6. Our Favorite Day of the Year by A.E. Ali

We adore sharing this book with young students to open inclusive conversations about favorite holidays and traditions. Each student in Musa’s class shares about their favorite day of the year, from Eid Al-Fitr to Pi Day. Use this book to prompt kids to write their own opinion pieces about their favorite days, and to model how reasoning, information, and anecdotes can support one’s opinion.

Buy it: Our Favorite Day of the Year on Amazon

7. Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris

This true story from Kamala Harris’ childhood details how she and her sister wrote letters to their landlord until he agreed to let them build a playground in their apartment complex courtyard. Get kids excited about how their opinion writing could create real change!

Buy it: Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea on Amazon

8. If I Were President by Trygve Skaug

A young boy talks at length about what he’d do differently if he ran the country. Maybe cars could run on legs instead of gasoline, and “playing” should be a subject taught in school. Share this with kids who need more ideas for opinion-writing topics!

Buy it: If I Were President on Amazon

9. The Little Book of Little Activists by Penguin Young Readers

Introduce young students to the idea of activism and its connection to opinion writing. This inspiring photo essay includes examples of kids’ opinions about real-life causes and many written signs.

Buy it: The Little Book of Activists on Amazon

10. The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan

This protagonist is a toddler on a mission—a mission to kick her dad out of her parents’ bed so she can sleep with her mom. Use this little girl’s precocious modeling to show students how to polish their own opinion writing by adding visual supports.

Buy it: The Big Bed on Amazon

11. The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini

Elizabeth crafts a plan to convince her parents to let her have a pet, with unexpected—but pleasing—results. This is our favorite opinion-writing mentor text for introducing kids to win-win solutions and encouraging them to suggest them in their own opinion writing.

Buy it: The Perfect Pet on Amazon

12. & 13. Can I Be Your Dog? and I Found a Kitty! by Troy Cummings

First, read a collection of persuasive letters from a lonely dog seeking an owner that’s a twist on kids’ pet requests. Each letter is tailored to a specific audience, with Arfy promising to lick things clean, protect, and deliver endless affection.

In the sequel, Arfy uses his persuasive skills to help someone else, a lovable stray kitten. Notice with students how he once again shapes his reasoning for each recipient—and how he doesn’t give up until he’s successful!

Buy it: Can I Be Your Dog? on Amazon

Buy it: I Found a Kitty! on Amazon

14. True You: A Gender Journey by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotner

This delightful and important title stars real kids with a full range of gender identities. Each child introduces themselves in a speech bubble that shares their opinion about gender identity. Use this title to model talking to the reader using strong, direct language.

Buy it: True You: A Gender Journey on Amazon

15. Stella Writes an Opinion by Janiel Wagstaff

Sometimes you want perfectly straightforward opinion-writing mentor texts that match right up with your teaching goals. Stella thinks second graders should be able to have a morning snack time. She sets out to write about her opinion, state her reasons, and ends with a compelling summation.

Buy it: Stella Writes an Opinion on Amazon

16. I Wanna New Room by Karen Kaufman Orloff

After his successful angling for a pet in I Wanna Iguana , Alex tries using note-writing to broach his next request: a room of his own, away from his pesky younger brother. The parent-child communication includes plenty of examples of making and responding to counterarguments.

Buy it: I Wanna New Room on Amazon

17. Be Glad Your Dad … Is Not an Octopus! by Matthew Logelin and Sara Jensen

This author’s opinion is that you should appreciate your dad for who he is. He makes his case with plenty of arguments grounded in facts—facts that show that if your dad were an animal, he could be even more gross, embarrassing, or annoying!

Buy it: Be Glad Your Dad … Is Not an Octopus! on Amazon

18. Earrings! by Judith Viorst

A young girl desperately wants her ears pierced, but her parents respond to her begging with a firm no. Ask students to evaluate the merits of her various arguments. Which are strong? Which are just whiny?

Buy it: Earrings! on Amazon

19. Pick a Picture, Write an Opinion! by Kristen McCurry

If you’re looking for opinion-writing mentor texts that lay it all out there explicitly, you’ll appreciate this resource. Engaging, diverse photos and topics, a kid-friendly tone, and explicit advice make this a helpful primer to accompany more conventional mentor texts.

Buy it: Pick a Picture, Write an Opinion! on Amazon

20. I Hate My Cats (A Love Story) by Davide Cali

This narrator has plenty of reasons to dislike his self-centered cats, which he outlines in specific detail. Use this title as an example of a multi-pronged argument. (Plus, show that sometimes, opinion writing actually leads us to change our own minds. By the end, the owner realizes he actually loves his pets, quirks and all.)

Buy it: I Hate My Cats (A Love Story) on Amazon

21. I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t by Diane Dillon

Zoe makes big plans for her future, from being an archaeologist to a veterinarian. She quiets self-doubt with confident arguments. Aside from sharing this title’s lovely, affirming message, use it to teach kids to anticipate tough questions and head them off convincingly in their opinion writing.

Buy it: I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t on Amazon

22. Rise Up and Write It by Nandini Ahuja

Farah Patel works to convince her local government to improve a vacant lot to benefit her community. Great realistic examples of using letters and signs to inspire change!

Buy it: Rise Up and Write It on Amazon

23. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

These disgruntled but endearing crayons have opinions, and they aren’t shy about making them known in this read-aloud favorite. Check out this free downloadable educator guide from the publisher for persuasive letter-writing curriculum connections.

Buy it: The Day the Crayons Quit on Amazon

24. Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating

The best opinion writing springs from genuine conviction. Eugenie Clark believed sharks were fascinating and  that women could be accomplished scientists who study them. Use this title to help students generate their own passion-fueled topics about which to write.

Buy it: Shark Lady on Amazon

25. What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers

Share this title for its inspiring message about the power of one citizen to evoke positive change through spoken words, writing, and action. Also consider it as an example of how words and art interact in opinion writing; the illustrations and text work together here to advance the book’s message.

Buy it: What Can a Citizen Do? on Amazon?

26. Dr. Coo and the Pigeon Protest by Sarah Hampson

Dr. Archibald Coo believes that pigeons don’t deserve their reputation as avian pests. He outlines a plan to change the minds of his city neighbors. Part of his approach is to send a persuasive letter to the mayor, suggesting creative, mutually beneficial agreements—a great example for student writers aiming to change the minds of authority figures.

Buy it: Dr. Coo and the Pigeon Protest on Amazon

27. The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

The animals in this classic read-aloud give a range of reasons their home shouldn’t be chopped down. Use them as examples of how to vary sentence structures and formats when listing arguments and how to use specific details to strengthen reasoning.

Buy it: The Great Kapok Tree on Amazon

28. Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson

This fictional account of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade, told from the point of view of a young participant, is a classroom must-read. It exemplifies how children’s actions can make a difference in an adult world and how powerful language strengthens a written message.

Buy it: Let the Children March on Amazon

29. No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley

This powerful title introduces inspiring and diverse young activists’ causes using original poems by notable authors. Show kids that impactful opinion writing can take many forms.

Buy it: No Voice Too Small on Amazon

30. The Week Junior magazine “Big Debate” feature

The Week Junior is one of our absolute favorite magazines for the classroom , and its “Big Debate” section is a main reason for that. Each issue examines both sides of an interesting topic, from whether we should eat Maine lobster, to if space exploration is worth the huge cost, to whether or not kids’ screen time should be restricted. Have kids study examples to get tips for their own opinion writing, and maybe even create their own “Big Debate.”

Buy it: The Week Junior

31. Planet Ocean: Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean by Patricia Newman

This is a fantastic resource for upper elementary and middle school classrooms moving from opinion writing to research-based persuasive writing. This mind-boggling look at the impact of trash on our oceans gives kids so many models for sharing one’s opinions, experiences, and knowledge to spark change. Embedded QR codes take readers straight to awesome examples of persuasive speeches and other cool resources that support the author’s message.

Buy it: Planet Ocean: Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean on Amazon

32. We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell

A classroom prepares to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with research projects that convey a clear message: Native Nations are still here! Besides being critical content for kids, this is a great example of how to use researched facts to support one’s opinion.

Buy it: We Are Still Here! on Amazon

33. Marley Dias Gets It Done and So Can You! by Marley Dias

Every middle school student should meet Marley Dias through this powerful account of her #1000blackgirlbooks campaign. It boasts plenty of practical advice for young activists. Pull text excerpts for mini-lessons about tailoring opinion writing to your audience. Marley writes straight to her peers.

Buy it: Marley Dias Gets It Done and So Can You! on Amazon

Excited to share these opinion-writing mentor texts? Also check out our favorite mentor texts for procedural and narrative writing.

Want more book lists and classroom ideas be sure to  subscribe to our newsletters, you might also like.

32 Best Mentor Texts for Narrative Writing in Elementary School

Help students learn from the best. Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Get Your Backstage Pass!

• Kid's Corner
• KidLit Crafts & Activities
• Spark Your Creativity

The Kids Are All Write: How to Write an Opinion Essay

By Jamie Nanfara

You are never too young to share your beliefs and opinions!  Here are some tips for writing an opinion essay – no matter what the topic!

Think of a Topic When writing an opinion essay, you want to choose a topic that you feel strongly about.  Make a list of people and animals you love, afterschool activities you participate in, and places you go.  Then, pick a topic from your list you would like to write about first.

State Your Opinion Write an opinion sentence about your topic.  Start with the words, “I think…” or “In my opinion…”  For example, In my opinion dogs are the best pets!

Support with Reasons If you want people to agree with you, then give them a reason to!  Why do you think what you do?  Why should other people think or do the same?  What makes your topic so special?  Write at least three reasons to support your opinion.  Use the sentence starters below to help support your opinion.

One reason is… I think that because… Another reason… Also… For example…

Write an Ending End your essay by restating your opinion sentence.  Also, give a quick summary of all your reasons and demand your reader to do something!

Now you know that dogs are the best pets!  They are friendly, easy to take care of, and encourage you to get outside and exercise.  So, go to your local animal shelter and adopt a dog today!

Need inspiration?  Check out these books!

ABOUT JAMIE NANFARA

Jamie is an elementary school teacher and freelance writer. In addition to creating content for KidLit TV’s website, she is an active member of SCBWI and is currently querying her first picture book. She has an MA in Teaching and is passionate about children’s literature and the role it plays in supporting the social and academic growth of her students. When she’s not teaching or writing for children, she is looking for adventure and laughing at the silly antics of her husband and daughter.

CONNECT WITH JAMIE NANFARA Instagram  |  Twitter

CONNECT WITH KidLit TV Facebook Page  |   Facebook Group  |  Instagram  |   Newsletter  |  Pinterest  |  Twitter  |  YouTube

very useful. Thanks

Very Useful . Thanks!

Very, Enthusiastic!

Leave Your Comment Cancel reply

Comments will be moderated.

Share this post!

Kidlit crafts and activities for summer.

KidLit Crafts & Activities for Spring Time

KidLit Arts and Crafts for Women’s History Month

Follow us on facebook.

Happy #Juneteenth from KidLit TV & Biracial Bookworms !🖤✨Check out this #booklist which celebrates the beauty of the holiday — from food & drink, to music as the sound of resistance, & honoring those who gave their lives for future generations to be free: www.kidlit.tv/childrens-books-to-celebrate-juneteenth/ HarperKids Books The Children's Book Council Every Child a Reader ... See More See Less

• Comments: 0

0 Comments Comment on Facebook

✨NEW!✨🌈This #pride month , honor the beauty that comes from being yourself, community togetherness, & the ongoing fight against inequality! 📚✨Join Yuhua Hamasaki for Read Out Loud and a special Drag Story Hour presentation of TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE PRIDE at the Brooklyn Public Library ! Watch as Yuhua shares Joanna McClintick's beautiful introduction for children to the history and significance of #Pride -- filled with colorful illustrations by Juana Medina 🌈❤️: www.kidlit.tv/ReadOutLoudTWASTHENIGHTBEFOREPRIDE Candlewick Press School & Library Candlewick Press New York City Council Council Member Crystal Hudson #DragStoryHour #kidlit ... See More See Less

🗞️NEWSLETTER Alert! 📘Ernő Rubik's New Picture Book Biography, NEW Ready Set Draw! with Sophie Blackall, and Featured KidLit with Vicky Fang & Margery Cuyler - mailchi.mp/kidlit.tv/june-2024 ... See More See Less

• likes love 6
• Comments: 1

1 Comment Comment on Facebook

Just read it and love it!

👋Hey #librarians ! Going to #ALAAC24 June 27 - July 2? Get a sneak peek at KidLit TV programming for Holiday House Books for Young People ! 📚🎥 Just stop by Booth #816 — and tell them we sent you! ❤️✨https://bit.ly/HolidayHouseALA24 ... See More See Less

JUNETEENTH BOOKS‼️ Teach children about Juneteenth with these books by Black authors. BOOKS FEATURED HERE: 💥Let's Celebrate Juneteenth 💥The Juneteenth Cookbook 💥Opal Lee: What it Means to be Free 💥Jayylen's Juneteenth Surprise 💥A Flag for Juneteenth 💥They Built me for Freedom 💥Juneteenth Is 💥The Juneteenth Story 💥The Night Before Juneteenth 💥Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem 💥Juneteenth: A Picture Book for Kids Celebrating Black Joy 💥Juneteenth Jamboree 💥Juneteenth for Mazie Find them all in our Juneteenth booklist here: bookshop.org/lists/juneteenth-books-59115eae-6b68-4df5-a127-e71c353d3c97 #childrensbooks #picturebooks #Juneteenth ... See More See Less

• likes love 1

Follow us on Threads

Follow us on instagram.

• Grades K-1 Articles
• Grade 2 Articles
• Grades 3-4 Articles
• Grades 5-6 Articles
• Earth Science
• Engineering
• Environment
• Food and Nutrition
• Movies and Television
• Music and Theater
• Service Stars
• The Human Body
• Transportation
• Young Game Changers
• Grade 4 Edition
• Grade 5-6 Edition
• For Grown-ups
• Also from TIME for Kids:

• user_age: none

The page you are about to enter is for grown-ups. Enter your birth date to continue.

Should Adventure Tourism Be Allowed?

Traveling by submarine to view an underwater shipwreck. Trekking to the top of a distant mountain. Buckling in on a space ship. Extreme adventure tourists are always seeking the next thrill. According to Grand View Research, they were expected to…

Should Libraries Charge Late Fees?

Have you ever been fined for returning a book to the library after its due date? It might seem reasonable for libraries to charge late fees. How else would they get anyone to return their books? But the practice could…

Imagine 2123

TIME magazine has been around, well, a long time. Its first issue was published 100 years ago, on March 3, 1923. Life was different back then. The Ford Model T was the most popular car in America. Meanwhile, kids were…

Should All Cars Be Electric?

The race is on to get more electric cars on the road. President Joe Biden has made electric vehicles (EVs) a priority. By 2030, he’d like half of all new vehicles sold to be zero-emission. It’s a response to the…

Do Kids Need Homework?

We knew this question would spark lively debate among readers. School is a big part of life, not just for kids but for their families and for educators, too. Everyone has an opinion about what’s best for students. And they…

Should Kids Have Smartphones?

Take a look at this photo. Remind you of anyone? Chances are, it does. According to Common Sense Media, 43% of kids 8 to 12 now own a smartphone. Is that a good thing? Many young people tell TIME for…

Do We Still Need to Send People into Space?

Did you know that humans haven’t walked on the lunar surface since the Apollo 17 mission, in 1972? With NASA’s Artemis missions, astronauts could soon be on the moon again—and eventually on Mars. Artemis I will take an Orion spacecraft…

Should Schools Have Mental Health Days?

In December, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy put out an urgent health advisory. He warned that children’s mental health was in crisis. He asked for help from many different sources, including schools. Schools help protect kids’ mental health in…

Should Governments Regulate Screen Time?

In fall 2021, the United States Senate held a hearing about Facebook. Senators discussed whether the platform is harmful for younger users. Senator Dan Sullivan, of Alaska, suggested that national screen-time limits could protect kids. He referenced something that took…

Should Zoos Still Exist?

Happy, an Asian elephant, lives at the Bronx Zoo, in New York City. But the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) says the zoo doesn’t provide the space and socialization that Happy needs. The NhRP is taking the Bronx Zoo to court.…

Free Printable Opinion Writing Worksheets for 7th Grade

Opinion Writing: Discover a diverse collection of free printable Reading & Writing worksheets tailored for Grade 7 students, designed to enhance their critical thinking and persuasive writing skills.

Explore Opinion Writing Worksheets by Grades

• kindergarten

Explore Other Subject Worksheets for grade 7

• Social studies
• Social emotional
• Foreign language
• Reading & Writing

Explore printable Opinion Writing worksheets for 7th Grade

Opinion Writing worksheets for Grade 7 are an essential tool for teachers looking to enhance their students' skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking. These worksheets provide a structured and engaging way for students to practice expressing their thoughts and opinions on various topics, while also improving their reading comprehension and writing abilities. By incorporating these worksheets into their lesson plans, teachers can help their Grade 7 students develop a strong foundation in nonfiction writing, which is crucial for success in higher grades and beyond. With a wide range of topics and formats available, these worksheets are the perfect resource for any teacher looking to challenge and inspire their students to become confident and effective communicators.

Quizizz is an excellent platform for teachers to utilize in conjunction with Opinion Writing worksheets for Grade 7, as it offers a variety of interactive quizzes and activities that can further enhance students' reading and writing skills. By incorporating Quizizz into their lessons, teachers can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that not only reinforces the concepts taught through the worksheets but also allows students to apply their newfound knowledge in a fun and interactive way. Additionally, Quizizz offers valuable insights and analytics for teachers, enabling them to track their students' progress and identify areas where they may need additional support or practice. With its user-friendly interface and extensive library of resources, Quizizz is the perfect complement to any Grade 7 teacher's toolkit for teaching reading, writing, and nonfiction writing.

No products in the cart.

100 Opinion Writing Prompts for Elementary Students

Teaching writing can often feel like an uphill battle, especially with opinion writing. Encouraging students to express their thoughts and ideas orally isn’t a challenge, but getting them to write down their ideas and support them with reasons takes some work. Trust me; I’ve been there too.

That’s why I have compiled a list of 100 Opinion Writing Prompts specifically for you! Whether new to teaching or looking for fresh ideas, this blog will make opinion writing engaging and enjoyable for you and your students!

In elementary school, students start to explore argumentative writing, where they learn to share their ideas and give good reasons to support them. They learn to back up their opinions with facts like detectives looking for clues!

This kind of writing teaches them to think carefully and explain why they believe in their ideas. It’s like having a friendly debate on the playground where one friend shares an opinion, and everyone else chimes in with their thoughts. Thinking about what they hear and talking about their ideas is a super skill for kids .

Tips for Teaching Opinion Writing with Prompts

Providing students with prompts that align with their interests, passions, and experiences will engage and motivate them to stay on topic and generate reasons and examples that they can add to their opinion-writing essays.

How can teachers choose the right opinion writing prompts that fit their students?

Strategies Teachers Can Use to Choose the Most Suitable Prompts for Their Students

Here are some tips for choosing the right prompts for students.

• Understand Student Interests: Know what topics your students are passionate about or curious to learn more about. This can be achieved through surveys, casual conversations, or observing their interactions and activities.
• Consider Age Appropriateness: Ensure the prompts suit the student’s age and maturity level. The content should be challenging enough to stimulate their thinking but not so difficult that it becomes frustrating.
• Align with Curriculum Goals: Choose prompts that complement and reinforce the learning objectives outlined in your curriculum. This ensures that the writing exercises are purposeful and contribute to overall educational goals.
• Promote Critical Thinking Skills: Select prompts that encourage students to think critically and analytically. Questions with no right or wrong answer but require reasoning and evidence are ideal.
• Encourage Creativity: Choose prompts that allow students to use their imagination and creativity. This not only makes the writing process more enjoyable but also helps in developing creative problem-solving skills.
• Diversify Topics: Rotate between different types of prompts. This variety keeps students engaged and helps develop a range of skills.
• Consider Current Events and Relevance: Incorporate prompts related to recent events or topics for opinion writing relevant to students’ lives. This makes the writing exercise more engaging and relatable.
• Incorporate Interdisciplinary Learning: Choose prompts that connect with other subjects like science, history, or art. This interdisciplinary approach can deepen students’ understanding and interest in these subjects.
• Adjust for Different Skill Levels: Have a range of prompts that cater to different writing abilities within your class. This helps in challenging advanced students while supporting those who need more guidance.
• Feedback and Reflection: Use student feedback on previous prompts to guide your future choices. Understanding what worked and what didn’t can help refine your selection process.
• Peer Suggestion Box: Allow students to contribute their prompt ideas. This gives them a sense of ownership and provides insight into what interests them.
• Balance Individual and Group Work: Choose some prompts that are suitable for group discussion and collaborative writing, as well as prompts for individual reflection and expression.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity: Ensure that the prompts are culturally sensitive and inclusive, respecting the diverse backgrounds of your students.
• Link to Real-World Skills: Select prompts that help students develop real-world writing skills, such as letter writing, persuasive essays, or report writing.
• Seasonal and Thematic Prompts : Use seasonal themes (like holidays and seasons) or align with school events (like sports events and anniversaries) to make the prompts more engaging and timely.

Selecting the right opinion writing prompts for your students is an art that requires an understanding of their interests, skill levels, and the learning objectives outlined in your curriculum. The goal is to develop a love of writing in your students, helping them express their thoughts and opinions confidently.

100 Opinion Writing Prompts for Elementary Teachers

Here are 100 fun opinion writing ideas that your students will love! They will get your students’ creative juices flowing and help them perform better on their argumentative writing assignments.

• Should schools have uniforms? Students can argue for or against school uniforms, considering aspects like self-expression, equality, and convenience.
• Is homework necessary? This allows students to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of homework.
• Are pets better than toys? Students can compare the emotional connection with pets versus playing with toys.
• Should kids have cell phones? They can explore safety, distraction, and communication aspects.
• Is summer better than winter? Encourage students to compare seasons, focusing on activities, weather, and holidays.
• Should all kids learn to cook? Discuss the importance of cooking skills for independence and health.
• Are zoos good for animals? This prompts a discussion on animal welfare and conservation.
• Is it better to read a book or watch a movie? Compare the experiences of reading versus watching the same story.
• Should kids play sports? Consider physical health, teamwork, and time commitment.
• Is it important to learn a second language? Discuss cultural understanding and career benefits.
• Are video games good or bad? Explore creativity, problem-solving skills, and potential downsides.
• Should kids have a bedtime? Debate the importance of sleep against personal freedom.
• Is it better to be an only child? Consider the pros and cons of having siblings.
• Should junk food be banned in schools? Discuss health impacts and personal choices.
• Are superheroes better role models than real-life heroes? Compare fictional characters with actual people who make a difference.
• Is it better to travel or stay at home? Discuss experiences gained through travel versus comfort at home.
• Should schools have longer breaks? Balance academic needs with relaxation and play.
• Is it better to be smart or kind? Delve into the value of intelligence versus compassion.
• Should all kids play a musical instrument? Discuss cultural and cognitive benefits versus interests and time.
• Are indoor games better than outdoor games? Compare physical health, creativity, and social interaction.
• Should children help with household chores? Explore responsibility, teamwork, and skill development.
• Is it better to give or receive gifts? Discuss the joy of giving against the excitement of receiving.
• Should kids be allowed to vote on family decisions? Debate the importance of democracy versus the adult experience.
• Is it important to have a hobby? Consider personal growth, relaxation, and skill development.
• Should schools teach more about environmental protection? Argue the importance of education on sustainability.
• Is it better to be famous or rich? Discuss the pros and cons of fame and wealth.
• Should kids be allowed to choose their own bedtime? Weigh independence against the need for adequate sleep.
• Are team sports better than individual sports? Compare teamwork, individual achievement, and social aspects.
• Is it better to live in the city or the countryside? Contrast the environment, lifestyle, and opportunities.
• Should kids have a say in what they eat? Debate nutrition against personal taste and choice.
• Is watching TV a waste of time? Discuss educational content versus the potential for inactivity.
• Should students have homework on weekends? Weigh academic benefits against free time and relaxation.
• Are books better sources of knowledge than the Internet? Compare depth of information and reliability.
• Is it better to be an artist or a scientist? Discuss creativity versus logic and their impact on society.
• Should all students learn to play chess? Argue the cognitive and strategic benefits.
• Is it better to have many friends or a few close ones? Debate the value of quantity versus quality in friendships.
• Should there be more outdoor education? Discuss learning in natural environments versus traditional classrooms.
• Are cats better pets than dogs? Compare the characteristics and care requirements of each.
• Should kids participate in competitive exams? Weigh the pressure against the learning and opportunities.
• Is it important to celebrate birthdays? Discuss the significance of marking personal milestones.
• Should kids be allowed to use social media? Explore online safety, communication, and potential distractions.
• Is it better to be realistic or optimistic? Debate the benefits of practicality versus positive thinking.
• Should students have a longer school day? Balance academic improvement with time for other activities.
• Are board games better than video games? Compare social interaction, strategy, and screen time.
• Is it important to go to college? Discuss the value of higher education versus other paths.
• Should kids have chores every day? Weigh responsibility and skill-building against leisure time.
• Are robots a good invention? Discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of automation.
• Is it better to live in the past or the present? Compare the advancements and simplicity of different times.
• Should kids learn about personal finance in school? Argue the importance of financial literacy from a young age.
• Are traditional games better than modern ones? Discuss the cultural significance and simplicity versus innovation.
• Should children have a say in their bedtime? Debate autonomy versus the need for parental guidance.
• Is it better to be famous or to have privacy? Weigh the allure of fame against the value of privacy.
• Should students be allowed to grade their teachers? Discuss the benefits and challenges of this feedback system.
• Is it important to have a best friend? Consider the value of a close, trusted relationship.
• Should kids learn about gardening in school? Argue the benefits of connecting with nature and understanding food sources.
• Is it better to have a strict teacher or a lenient one? Debate the impact of different teaching styles on learning.
• Should students wear school uniforms? Discuss the effects on individuality and school spirit.
• Are online games better than offline games? Compare the social aspects, accessibility, and potential for addiction.
• Is it important to learn about other cultures? Discuss the value of diversity and global understanding.
• Should kids have a daily reading time? Weigh the benefits of reading against other activities.
• Are animated movies better than live-action movies? Compare the creativity, realism, and appeal of each genre.
• Is it better to have a big family or a small one? Discuss the dynamics and relationships in different family sizes.
• Should kids be taught to meditate in school? Argue the benefits of mindfulness and stress reduction.
• Is it better to be a leader or a follower? Debate the roles and responsibilities of each.
• Should children have a say in what they learn at school? Discuss student interests versus curriculum requirements.
• Are fantasy books better than real-life stories? Compare escapism and creativity versus realism and relatability.
• Is it better to live in a house or an apartment? Weigh space, community, and lifestyle differences.
• Should kids be allowed to have exotic pets? Discuss the care, ethics, and safety of keeping unusual animals.
• Is it important to learn about space? Argue the value of understanding the universe and scientific exploration.
• Are electric cars better than gasoline cars? Consider environmental impact, technology, and practicality.
• Should students have snack breaks at school? Debate the benefits of energy replenishment versus potential distractions.
• Is it better to be early or exactly on time? Discuss punctuality, time management, and respect for others’ time.
• Should kids learn to swim? Argue the importance of safety, health, and recreation.
• Are reality shows better than scripted shows? Compare authenticity, entertainment value, and educational content.
• Is it important to celebrate national holidays? Discuss the significance of history, culture, and unity.
• Should children be taught coding in school? Weigh the future relevance against other educational priorities.
• Is it better to be tall or short? Discuss the advantages and challenges of both.
• Should kids help plan family vacations? Debate the value of their input versus adult decision-making.
• Are indoor pets better than outdoor pets? Consider safety, companionship, and lifestyle impact.
• Is it important to keep a diary? Argue the benefits of self-expression and memory keeping.
• Should there be a limit to screen time for kids? Discuss health, productivity, and balance with digital life.
• Is it better to do group projects or work alone? Compare collaboration skills and individual responsibility.
• Should kids be allowed to choose their school subjects? Weigh student interests against a balanced education.
• Are handmade gifts better than store-bought ones? Discuss the thoughtfulness , effort, and personalization.
• Is it important to have a clean room? Argue organization, hygiene, and personal responsibility.
• Should students have a say in school rules? Debate student involvement in governance versus adult expertise.
• Is it better to play an instrument or sing? Compare musical expression, skill development, and accessibility.
• Should kids be allowed to stay up late on weekends? Weigh relaxation and fun against the importance of a routine.
• Are public libraries still important? Discuss the role of libraries in the digital age for learning and community.
• Is it better to be honest or kind? Debate the balance between truth and compassion.
• Should students help plan school menus? Argue student preferences versus nutritional guidelines.
• Are superheroes more interesting than historical figures? Compare entertainment value and educational content.
• Is it important to learn about art in school? Discuss cultural appreciation, creativity, and critical thinking.
• Should kids ride bikes to school? Weigh health, environmental impact, and safety.
• Are science fiction books better than fantasy books? Compare the themes, creativity, and potential for learning.
• Is it better to play outside or inside? Discuss physical activity, imagination, and safety.
• Should students have a longer recess? Balance play and socialization with academic time.
• Are traditional toys better than electronic toys? Compare creativity, skill development, and engagement.
• Is it important to have a favorite color? Discuss personal expression and the psychology of preferences.
• Should schools start later in the day? Debate the impact on sleep, learning, and daily routine.

In addition to the above opinion writing prompts, consider other sources of ideas to motivate your reluctant writers, including mentor texts, picture prompts, and student’s experiences. Be sure that each prompt encourages critical thinking and self-expression, allowing students to explore their opinions and develop persuasive writing.

These thought-provoking prompts not only stimulate lively discussion among students but also help them hone their persuasive writing. Students learn to express their viewpoints clearly and constructively by engaging with these topics, creating a culture of open dialogue.

Opinion Writing Series

This post about opinion writing prompts compliments another blog post about  how I teach our opinion writing unit . This instructional unit includes lesson plans in which students write about some of the above topics and learn how to structure their opinion writing to communicate their ideas best.

Here is a list of other blog posts about opinion writing:

• 7 Ways to Introduce Opinion Writing
• Picture Books to Teach Opinion Writing
• Teaching How to State an Opinion
• Teaching How to Supply Reasons
• Teaching How to Introduce the Opinion Writing
• Teaching How to Conclude the Opinion Writing
• Teaching Ideas to Solidify Students’ Understanding of Opinion Writing

Are you struggling to teach with writing prompts?

Writing prompts are helpful for elementary teachers to encourage their students to write creatively and learn the fundamentals of good writing, like grammar and structure.

This post will explore why teachers should use writing prompts, ways to incorporate them into lessons, and provide examples of prompts that teachers can use in their classrooms tomorrow!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Opinion For presidents, it’s not age but judgment that matters

A derided Wall Street Journal article about Biden “slipping” warrants a reset of 2024 coverage.

The widespread media condemnation of a shoddy front-page Wall Street Journal article about President Biden “slipping” with age suggests we may have reached a journalistic inflection point.

The Journal article relied almost entirely on the views of two highly partisan Republicans to support its Biden-is-slipping thesis: House Speaker Mike Johnson and former speaker Kevin McCarthy. Maybe the overwhelmingly negative response by other journalists to what was essentially the promotion of a right-wing meme will reduce such irresponsible reporting as the election year continues.

The issue, certainly, goes beyond being influenced by MAGA narratives or failing to adequately examine the mental and emotional state of felon and former president Donald Trump . (But, given Trump’s innumerable unhinged rants, it just might be time to rethink whether a candidate’s psychiatric state is journalistically out of bounds.)

Rather, the Journal’s faceplant should lead to a much larger discussion: to what extent and in what way age matters to the performance of the chief executive . Frankly, it has nothing to do with the sort of factors Biden’s critics obsess over (e.g., verbal slips, how fast he moves).

Political journalists tend to deal heavily in the realm of politicians’ quips and comebacks, as well as horse-race politics and presidential “visuals.” They naturally then come to think of a president — with whom they interact in debates, news conferences and interviews — as a media performer. Does he misspeak? Does he physically stumble? Focusing on such relatively superficial subjects has come to define political journalism.

But let’s stop for a moment. A president’s gait, verbal tics and minor recall errors have virtually nothing to do with the job of being president. The White House occupant is not a “Jeopardy!” contestant, a stand-up comic, a talk-show host or guest; the president is the head of the executive branch and commander in chief.

The job of being president is executive management, something with which political reporters (as opposed to business reporters) have virtually no expertise. We should be asking whether a candidate can absorb necessary details, make good personnel decisions, reach sound conclusions, evaluate risk and consider the consequences of actions. Can the president separate personal interests from the interests of the nation, of allies or even the planet? That is what the president does, day after day.

And we do not need to be armchair psychiatrists to evaluate that sort of presidential fitness. As I have written , Trump’s closest colleagues tell us that he is willfully ignorant, cannot grasp basic concepts, cannot absorb written material . As for his hiring decisions, by his own admission , he has hired a slew of dumb or incompetent people. He gloms on to ridiculous quack theories , and he channels the ideas and rhetoric of America’s enemies and of historical villains .

Trump cannot keep national secrets — or understand they are not “his.” He is incapable of grasping the values and ethos of military service . Because he is so susceptible to flattery and so thin-skinned, he cannot tell friend from foe . And as his former national security adviser John Bolton put it , “Trump really cares only about retribution for himself, and it will consume much of a second term.”

Part and parcel of good decision-making is impulse control. If one cannot refrain from lashing out in anger at allies, spilling secrets to U.S. enemies , or launching personal attacks and threats against fellow Americans (in defiance of court orders, no less), one cannot be entrusted with the immense responsibilities of the presidency. (There might also be something seriously wrong with you, but that is beside the point.)

Moreover, we know how Trump’s decision-making turned out. He downplayed the coronavirus , and hundreds of thousands of Americans died unnecessarily. He concocted the “big lie” about the 2020 election and, unable to admit losing, incited a riot at the U.S. Capitol. He didn’t want to reveal embarrassing sexual impropriety, so he broke the law in New York — 34 times.

You don’t need to make a specific medical diagnosis to see that the essential aspects of the presidency — judgment, reading comprehension, discretion, unselfish decision-making, appreciation for military sacrifice — are utterly beyond Trump.

At the most basic level, Biden, while three years older, can discern friend from foe , reveres the military , understands the value of alliances , generally hires capable advisers, puts together complex legislative deals and exhibits inexhaustible empathy for others’ suffering. He complies with the legal process (e.g., sitting down with special counsel Robert K. Hur ), follows Supreme Court decisions (and then explores alternatives, as he did on student debt) and engages in successful international diplomacy. He talks in depth about policy.

It’s reasonable to conclude that, with age, Biden has gained immense experience, formed relationships and absorbed data that helps guide his current decision-making. Should we care that he walks more stiffly than he did 10 years ago? (FDR served 12 years in a wheelchair.)

In sum, the measure of a president — regardless of that officeholder’s level of spryness or eloquence — is the capacity to perform a singularly important job: making good decisions on behalf of others in keeping with our laws and national values . No reasonable person would conclude, based on all available evidence, that Trump can do so; no fair person would conclude that Biden’s age impedes him from doing so.