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English first additional language

Grade 6

Module 40

To express an opinion and give reasons

Activity 1:

To express an opinion and give reasons [lo 4.1.4]

To identify differences between formal and informal style [lo 4.2.2]

To edit writing, using knowledge of structure [lo 4.5.3]

Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion on issues in our society today. This activity is going to focus on your opinion! It will give you the opportunity to express that opinion in writing. Today we are going to compose a letter to our local Member of Parliament to express our opinion about one of the following issues.

  • Recycling
  • Preserving our environment
  • Cruelty to animals
  • Computers for all schools

Choose a topic that you feel strongly about. Start by brainstorming your ideas in the block provided for your rough draft. Remember to introduce yourself, explain your opinion and then make suggestions to change or improve the situation. Once your rough draft is finished, look carefully at the basic elements of a letter, and then start your letter in the space provided for your final copy. Be sure to check your spelling and punctuation.

Basic elements of a letter:

Sender’s address and code

Date

Recipient’s name

Recipient’s address and code

Dear Sir/Madam

Subject Line

Introductory paragraph

2 nd and 3 rd paragraphs

Concluding paragraph

Yours sincerely

Name signed

Educator’s Assessment Chart:

Criteria 1 2 3 4
Spelling and punctuation Difficult to decipher Still developing Good – very few errors Excellent - no errors
Format Unable to do Correct format, but still developing Correct in most instances Correct throughout
Neatness Untidy Presentation inconsistent, greater care needed Good presentation Excellent presentation, great care taken
Ability to express an opinion and give reasons it Unable to do Reasonable Good Excellent

Assessment

LO 4
WRITING The learner will be able to write different kinds of factual and imaginative texts for a wide range of purposes.
We know this when the learner:
4.1 writes to communicate information:
4.1.2 writes a description of a person, object or simple process;
4.1.4 expresses an opinion and gives reasons for it;
4.2 writes for social purposes:
4.2.2 identifies some differences between formal and informal style;
4.3 writes creatively:
4.3.1 shows development in the ability to write poems, stories, play scripts and dialogues (e.g. by using poetic devices).
4.5 understands the writing process and uses developing knowledge of language structure and use:
4.5.1 writes rough drafts, reads them critically, gets feedback from the teacher and classmates, and rewrites;
4.5.3 edits writing, using knowledge of structure (e.g. grammar, spelling, punctuation) and tools.

Memorandum

Each learner is required to write a letter to express an opinion in this activity. The letter is to be addressed to the local Member of Parliament. You will have to find out the name and address of your local MP for this activity. The learners have been given four topics to choose from. Read through the topics with the class and have a brief discussion about each one. Once learners have chosen the topic that they would like to write about, allow them to work on their rough draft, brainstorming their ideas and ordering their thoughts.

Discuss the basic elements of a letter with them so that they are able to write their letter in the correct format. The letter must be written in the space provided. Read through the assessment chart with the whole class before they begin.

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Source:  OpenStax, English first additional language grade 6. OpenStax CNX. Sep 07, 2009 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10998/1.1
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