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MLK Opinion Essay Worksheet

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MLK Opinion Essay Worksheet

Choose a clear opinion about Martin Luther King Jr. Use reasons and supporting details to plan a five-paragraph essay. Your ideas may differ from the sample answers.

Choose and Support an Opinion

1.Which statement is an opinion a writer could support with reasons and details? Choose one.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an important leader in the struggle for civil rights.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929.
The March on Washington took place in 1963.
King gave a speech called “I Have a Dream.”

2.Write a one-sentence opinion about why Martin Luther King Jr.’s work mattered. Include the words “I believe.”

3.Give three different reasons that could support this opinion: Martin Luther King Jr. helped bring attention to the demand for equal rights.

Build the Five Paragraphs

Use your own opinion and reasons. The responses below are examples; other well-supported answers are possible.

4.Draft an opening hook, one background sentence about Martin Luther King Jr., and your opinion statement. Keep the three parts in that order.

5.Write a topic sentence for your first reason, then add a supporting fact or example about King’s work.

6.Write a topic sentence for a second reason, then add a supporting fact or example that is different from the one in Paragraph 1.

7.Write a topic sentence for a third reason, then add a supporting fact or example that is different from the examples in Paragraphs 1 and 2.

8.Write a conclusion that restates your opinion in fresh words and ends with a reasonable suggestion for readers.

Review and Extend

9.Which transition-word set would best help signal the order of three supporting reasons? Choose one.

First, next, finally
Maybe, perhaps, possibly
Because, although, unless
Yesterday, today, tomorrow

10.Choose three words from this list—civil rights, equality, peaceful, justice, dream—and write a sentence about King that uses all three accurately.

11.Draw a symbol or scene that represents your opinion about Martin Luther King Jr.’s impact. Add a caption explaining how your drawing supports your opinion.

12.Before revising, check your draft: Does it state an opinion, give three distinct reasons, include details, use transitions, and end by restating the opinion? Write one feature you included and one you still need to improve.