This Simple Trick Will Make Kids Love Opinion Writing!

We know opinion writing is important—it builds reasoning skills, helps kids develop a voice, and, let’s be honest, gets them ready for the endless persuasive essays they’ll have to write in middle and high school. But if we don’t hook them early, they’ll see it as another boring assignment instead of an opportunity to argue their hearts out.
Luckily, I’ve found one simple trick that makes kids actually excited to write their opinions. And no, it’s not a fancy new worksheet or a complicated formula. It’s something they’re already doing every day.

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Why Opinion Writing Feels Like Pulling Teeth

Before we get into the magic trick, let’s diagnose the problem. Why is opinion writing such a struggle?

1. They’re Not Invested

I once had a curriculum that required students to write an opinion piece on whether school uniforms should be mandatory. The problem? We didn’t even have uniforms. These kids couldn’t care less!

When students don’t care about the topic, their writing will reflect that. Forced opinions lead to dry, lifeless writing—and a very frustrated teacher trying to figure out how to make it better.

2. They Don’t Know How to Justify Their Opinions

If I had a nickel for every time a student wrote, “Because I said so,” I’d have a lot of nickels.

Reasoning is tough for kids because it requires critical thinking. They know what they believe but explaining why takes practice. The problem is, they don’t want to practice if they don’t care about the topic.

3. Structure Stresses Them Out

The moment I mention introductions, reasons, and conclusions, some kids mentally check out. The pressure to organize their thoughts in a perfect format paralyzes them before they even start writing.

The Simple Trick: Let Them Argue About What They Love

Here’s the thing—kids argue all the time. They argue about who gets the last swing at recess, which video game is the best, and why their favorite snack is superior to all others.

So instead of forcing them to write about things they don’t care about, let them argue about what they love.

I started testing this approach in my classroom, and the results were instant.

I posed a question: Which is better—Takis or Doritos?

Immediate chaos. Kids were jumping out of their seats, passionately debating the texture, flavor, and overall snack dominance. And that’s when I hit them with:

"Great arguments. Now, write it down!"

And just like that, opinion writing became something they actually wanted to do.

Step 1: Start With an Argument Battle

Forget writing for a second. Let’s talk first.

• Pick a high-interest topic that kids actually care about:

  • Best fast-food restaurant: McDonald's or Chick-fil-A?

  • Should recess be twice as long?

  • Which is better: cats or dogs?

  • Is a hotdog a sandwich?

• Split the class into teams and let them debate it out.

• Encourage passionate discussion—because the more invested they are, the better their writing will be. If you struggle to keep topics fresh, check out this opinion prompt list.

💡 Pro tip: Let them “battle” with rebuttals, but keep it structured so it doesn’t turn into an all-out screaming match.

Step 2: Sneak in the Writing

Once the kids are fully engaged, drop the bomb:

"Okay, you’ve made great points—now prove it in writing."

At this stage, kids are already thinking about their arguments, so the writing feels natural instead of forced.

• Give them sentence starters that sound real (not robotic):

  • “If you think Doritos are better, let me tell you why you’re wrong.”

  • “Everyone knows dogs are better than cats. Here’s why.”

• Encourage voice and personality—this is opinion writing, not a science report!

When kids feel like their writing sounds like them, they actually enjoy the process.

Step 3: Make It a Competition

Kids love competition. So, turn their writing into a battle of persuasion.

• Read anonymous snippets aloud and let the class vote:

  • “Which argument convinced you the most?”

  • “Who had the best reasoning?”

• Keep score, offer prizes, or just let them enjoy the thrill of winning an argument.

Trust me—nothing makes a kid want to improve their writing more than losing a debate to their best friend. See my Ultimate Opinion Writing Toolkit to help students practice strong arguments and reasoning.

Step 4: Bring in Real-World Stakes

Want to take it a step further? Show kids that opinion writing actually matters in real life.

• Have them write persuasive letters to the principal about real school changes they want.

• Let them write opinion pieces for the school newspaper or class blog.

• Show examples of opinion writing in ads, social media, and articles—they’ll realize it’s everywhere.

When they see that their opinions can create change, they’ll start taking the writing process more seriously.

Why This Trick Works (Even for Reluctant Writers)

• It taps into their natural ability to argue. Kids already have strong opinions—they just need a reason to put them into words.

• It makes writing feel relevant. No more writing about topics they don’t care about.

• It teaches reasoning in a way that sticks. They’re forced to back up their opinions without even realizing they’re practicing a skill.

• It keeps them engaged. When kids are invested, they’re more willing to put in effort.

Final Thoughts: Save Yourself the Pain

You can spend hours drilling the OREO method (Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion Restated), but if kids don’t care about their topic, they won’t care about their writing.

Instead, give them something worth fighting for. Let them argue about things that matter to them, and suddenly, opinion writing isn’t a chore—it’s a challenge.

Try this trick tomorrow and be prepared for the most passionate writing you’ve ever seen (just be ready to settle some heated Takis vs. Doritos debates).

What’s Your Favorite Opinion Writing Hack?

Have you tried this method before? Got another trick up your sleeve? Let’s swap ideas in the comments!