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Common Core ELA2nd GradeWriting

W.2.1: Opinion Writing with Reasons and Linking Words

Also written as CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1 · Cluster: Text Types and Purposes.

Print an Opinion PromptAll 40 2nd Grade ELA Standards

The Official Wording

Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.

Common Core State Standards, Grade 2, Writing · Read it at the source · Checked October 14, 2026

What W.2.1 Means in Plain English

Second graders write a short opinion about a topic or a book. They name it, say what they think, give more than one reason, join the reasons on with because, and or also, and end with a closing sentence. “Pajama day is fun” is an opinion, not yet a piece.

First grade (W.1.1) asks for one reason and some sense of closure. Second grade wants several reasons, linking words that show how each reason connects, and a real concluding sentence or section. Third grade (W.3.1) adds a planned order for the reasons and linking words like since and for example.

W.2.1 I Can Statements

  • I can name my topic or book and tell my opinion.
  • I can give reasons and join them with because, and or also.
  • I can end my piece with a sentence that says my opinion again.

W.2.1 Worked Example

Same prompt, two 2nd-grade pieces: one shares a feeling, the other gives reasons a principal could act on.

Prompt

Our student council wants to know: should our school have a pajama day once a month? Write your opinion and give your reasons.

Not YetPajama day is the best. I love my pajamas. They have dinosaurs on them.An opinion and two sentences about the writer’s own pajamas. Neither is a reason the school should have the day, nothing links the sentences, and the piece just stops.
Meets the StandardI think our school should have a pajama day once a month. First, pajamas are comfy, and when I am comfy I can sit still and read longer. Also, pajama day would make the whole school feel like one big team because we would all do it together. It would not cost any money because everybody already has pajamas. That is why I think pajama day once a month is a great idea.The first sentence names the topic and the opinion. Three reasons follow, each joined on with and, also or because, and the last sentence closes by saying the opinion again instead of adding something new.
Moves to Use
Say the topic and your opinion in the first sentence.Give reasons that would matter to the person deciding.Start or join each reason with because, and or also.End with That is why and your opinion again.

Common Mistakes with W.2.1

Reasons about me, not about the topic

“I love my pajamas. They have dinosaurs on them.”

Try this: Ask “Why would that be good for the whole school?” and keep only the reasons that answer it, then cross out the rest.

A because that circles back

“We should have pajama day because pajama day is fun.”

Try this: Cover the opinion with a sticky note and read the because part alone. If it says nothing new, the child writes a new reason.

Stopping after the last reason

The piece ends with “It would not cost any money.” and nothing after it

Try this: Teach two closing frames, That is why and So I think, and have students finish with one that repeats the opinion.

Where W.2.1 Fits

Comes BeforeW.1.1Write an opinion with one reason and some sense of closure, naming the topic or book first.
AlongsideRI.2.8Explain how an author’s reasons back up a point, the reading side of the same job.SL.2.1Discuss topics in groups and build on what others say, a good place to try out reasons before writing them.
Comes NextW.3.1List reasons in a planned order and link them with since, therefore and for example.

Practice W.2.1

Writing Prompt GeneratorFree ToolA fresh opinion prompt from the K to 2 bank, on screen so the class can talk through reasons before anyone writes.OpinionGrades K to 2On screen
Make a Prompt

Quick Check

  1. Which linking words join the reasons in the strong piece?
  2. Which sentence is the concluding statement?
  3. A child writes “Pajama day should happen because it is fun and also we could bring blankets.” What is still missing for W.2.1?

W.2.1: Other Names

W.2.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1

Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved. Official wording from the Common Core State Standards PDFs at corestandards.org, last checked October 14, 2026. The explanation, I can statements, example, mistakes and practice on this page are EMStudio’s own, written beside the official wording. They are not part of the standard.