Writing an Opinion - Zoos
You will watch a video, read some articles, and look at a graph. Each source will give you some information about the issue of whether zoos are helpful or not for endangered animals.
Your reading will set you up to figure out what your stance, or position, is on this issue: Should zoos exist? Do zoos help or harm endangered animals?
After you’ve done some research, you’ll have a chance to take a side on this issue by writing an opinion essay to persuade others to take your side.
1. Watch the videos. Create a document in google drive. Write a brief summary of both videos. Create a list of the pros and cons of zoos.
Video 1: Phoenix Zoo Arabian Oryx Story
Video 2: Are zoos helping endangered species?
2. Read the first article. Write a summary of the article on your document. Add to your list of the pros and cons of zoos.
Source 1: Are zoo animals happy?
3. Read the second article. Write a summary of the article on your document. Add to your list of the pros and cons of zoos.
Source 2: Are zoos good or bad for animals?
4. Interpret the graph. What can you conclude from the graph? Write about the information you learned from the chart on your document. Add to your list of the pros and cons of zoos.
Graph 1: Lifespan of Elephants in Zoos and the Wild
5. Plan and write an essay based on your opinion. Do zoos help or harm endangered animals?
Remember, a good opinion essay:
o Has an introduction
o Clearly states your opinion/claim in a focus statement
o Uses specific evidence from the text(s) to support your opinion and explains your thinking
o Groups ideas in paragraphs
o Has a conclusion
o Uses precise language and linking words to connect ideas
o Has correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation
6. Apply your opinion to a product:
Choose the activity that suits your position:
Your position: Zoos help endangered animals.
A zoo in your city would like to build a new gorilla exhibit so it can bring in more animals to create a breeding program. Create a presentation to prospective donors and organizations that may want to help the zoo. Convince them to donate money for the new gorilla exhibit.
Your position: Zoos harm endangered animals.
A company wants to open a new zoo in your city. It must first be approved by the city council. Create a presentation to the city council to convince them to not allow the zoo to be built.
To organize your thoughts, use this storyboard to guide your presentation.
You may use these folllowing Web 2.0 Tools or other ones you are familiar with to create your presentation:
You will watch a video, read some articles, and look at a graph. Each source will give you some information about the issue of whether zoos are helpful or not for endangered animals.
Your reading will set you up to figure out what your stance, or position, is on this issue: Should zoos exist? Do zoos help or harm endangered animals?
After you’ve done some research, you’ll have a chance to take a side on this issue by writing an opinion essay to persuade others to take your side.
1. Watch the videos. Create a document in google drive. Write a brief summary of both videos. Create a list of the pros and cons of zoos.
Video 1: Phoenix Zoo Arabian Oryx Story
Video 2: Are zoos helping endangered species?
2. Read the first article. Write a summary of the article on your document. Add to your list of the pros and cons of zoos.
Source 1: Are zoo animals happy?
3. Read the second article. Write a summary of the article on your document. Add to your list of the pros and cons of zoos.
Source 2: Are zoos good or bad for animals?
4. Interpret the graph. What can you conclude from the graph? Write about the information you learned from the chart on your document. Add to your list of the pros and cons of zoos.
Graph 1: Lifespan of Elephants in Zoos and the Wild
5. Plan and write an essay based on your opinion. Do zoos help or harm endangered animals?
- Brainstorm: Take some time to plan your writing before you begin. Think about the videos and texts. In a sheet of paper, create a graphic organizer to record your thoughts. See the example to plan your work. Go back to the videos, texts, and your summaries to gather evidence to support your opinion.
- Rough Draft: Using the graphic organizer, write your opinion essay in Google Docs. Be sure to include evidence from the sources to support your opinion.
- Peer Editing Conference: Use the peer editing form.
- Revise: Add to your essay using the suggestions from the peer conference. Do you have enough evidence?
- Proofread: Use the proofreading checklist.
- Publish: Publish onto your Digital Portfolio under the WRITING tab.
Remember, a good opinion essay:
o Has an introduction
o Clearly states your opinion/claim in a focus statement
o Uses specific evidence from the text(s) to support your opinion and explains your thinking
o Groups ideas in paragraphs
o Has a conclusion
o Uses precise language and linking words to connect ideas
o Has correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation
6. Apply your opinion to a product:
Choose the activity that suits your position:
Your position: Zoos help endangered animals.
A zoo in your city would like to build a new gorilla exhibit so it can bring in more animals to create a breeding program. Create a presentation to prospective donors and organizations that may want to help the zoo. Convince them to donate money for the new gorilla exhibit.
Your position: Zoos harm endangered animals.
A company wants to open a new zoo in your city. It must first be approved by the city council. Create a presentation to the city council to convince them to not allow the zoo to be built.
To organize your thoughts, use this storyboard to guide your presentation.
You may use these folllowing Web 2.0 Tools or other ones you are familiar with to create your presentation: