Bubble Gum Opinions

1. Print out and read all of the statements on the Bubble Gum Data Sheet.
2. Form an opinion about bubblegum that you would like to convince others to believe. *Teachers/Parents, see Hints at the bottom of this page.
3. Highlight any facts that support your opinion.
4. Gather additional information about your chosen topic. This may include conducting a survey or researching further using an encyclopedia or nonfiction book about your topic. If you have time, you might even contact a bubble gum manufacturer or look up a bubble gum company on the web. (See English Index for good research websites.)

Drafting:

1. Look at the statements that fit your category.
2. Number them in an order that makes sense and has each idea flow into the next.
3. On you own paper, write an introductory sentence that states your opinion using strong words. Remember to indent!
4. Following your numbering system, write each statement in your own words (See Plagiarism), and if it is a statistic, be sure to tell what source it came from. For example: According to World Book Encyclopedia, the base used in bubble gum is more elastic than the base used in chewing gum.
5. Write a conclusion sentence. The conclusion sentence should be an action statement that tells the reader to do something that will help make your opinion more popular.

Revising:

1. Check your paragraph to be sure the sentences all fit with the topic sentence.
2. Does the first sentence "grab" the reader's attention and make them want to find out more? (Hint: Never start with a statement such as "My name is... and I'm going to tell you about....." or "This is a paragraph about ...") Try using an emotional statement, or a rhetorical question. A rhetorical question is a question that gets the reader thinking, and makes them interested in your topic. For example: Did you ever wish that bubblegum came in sunflower seed flavor?
3. Does this paragraph include details that you know from research or your own experience? If not, add some!
4. DID YOU USE YOUR OWN WORDS? (See Plagiarism)
5. Have you used interesting words and a variety of sentences? If not, change what you have written so that the reader will be "hooked".

Editing:

1. Check your paragraph's conventions. Look for correct capitalization, spelling, and punctuation.
2. Have you indented the first line of the paragraph?

Final Copy:

1. Choose a way to visually present your paragraph. Options might include writing it on notebook paper or typing it. You could then cut out the paragraph and paste it onto a large bubble gum machine or bubble made from construction paper or drawn on a large piece of white paper. You could also create a bubble gum wrapper collage or frame around the border of your final copy paper.
2. Be sure that you copy your paragraph carefully and neatly, so that it is easy to read and enjoy!

*Hints: bubble gum is healthy, bubble gum should be allowed in school, bubble gum should not be allowed in school, people should (or should not) chew bubble gum, etc.

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