New
New
Year 8

Analysing an opinion article about protecting the greenbelt

I can explain how a writer uses personal experience, expert views and wider politics to support their opinions.

New
New
Year 8

Analysing an opinion article about protecting the greenbelt

I can explain how a writer uses personal experience, expert views and wider politics to support their opinions.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When you take a stand, you express your opinion forcefully.
  2. You can support your opinion by using personal experience to make your writing more relatable.
  3. Expert views will make your writing seem more knowledgeable.
  4. Referring to formal politics can add a sense of urgency to your writing,

Keywords

  • Architect - a person who designs new buildings and oversees how they are built

  • Brownfield site - an area of land in a town or city that was previously used for industry

  • Amenities - a building, piece of equipment, or service provided for people's comfort or enjoyment

  • Strengthen - to make something stronger or more effective

  • Credibility - the fact that someone or something can be believed or trusted

Common misconception

Students often think they need to be balanced in their writing and discuss both sides of a debate.

Teach the difference between opinion writing and argument writing.

You could use this topic to discuss any local issues that are relevant to your class.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to the 2023 Metropolis International edition of ‘Architects Journal. Building on the greenbelt will not solve the housing crisis’ by Kunle Barker.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is the best description of the phrase "to take a stand"?
to stand up straight and look directly ahead
Correct answer: to express a strong opinion on a particular issue
to give up a position or post that you hold
to take a break from work or an activity
Q2.
In which of the following media would you expect to find an article?
television
radio
Correct answer: newspaper
playlist
Q3.
What word beginning with T is used for the name of a piece of writing?
Correct Answer: title
Q4.
Which of the following is not a feature of a magazine article?
lengthy and in depth analysis
eye catching visuals and photographs
topics of either current or specialised interest
Correct answer: concise information only presented in list form
Q5.
Which of the following words do we use when we want to explain our reasons?
therefore
Correct answer: because
besides
however
Q6.
When we try to convince someone that we are right, we are trying to __________ them.
inform
Correct answer: persuade
educate
entertain

6 Questions

Q1.
What do we call an area of land that used to have industrial buildings on it?
Correct Answer: brownfield site, brownfield, brownfield land
Q2.
What word beginning with 'A' is the name for a person who designs buildings?
Correct Answer: architect
Q3.
Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.
Correct Answer:strengthen,build up

build up

Correct Answer:credibility ,believability

believability

Correct Answer:solve ,fix

fix

Correct Answer:shortage,lack

lack

Q4.
A writer often supports their opinion with references to formal politics, expert views and...
Correct Answer: personal experiences, anecdotes, personal anecdotes, experiences, personal experience
Q5.
What is the writer including in the following sentence: "My local MP is on board with this idea.."
personal anecdote
expert views
Correct answer: formal politics
Q6.
Why might you use expert opinions in your writing?
to add more information
Correct answer: to add authority
to add interest
to add more engagement