Description
A lesson comparing three main types of opinion stories
Summary
Students will read an example of a review, a column and an editorial with emphasis on similarities and differences. Then the teacher will use direct instruction to present the differences between these three types of opinion stories.
Objectives
- Students will compare different types of opinion stories.
- Students will be able to identify key characteristics of three of the most common types of opinion stories.
Common Core State Standards
| CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.5 | Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging. |
| CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.6 | Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness or beauty of the text. |
Length
50 minutes
Resources
Copies of a review, a column and an editorial
Slideshow: Three types of opinion stories
Handout: Comparing opinion stories
Lesson step-by-step
1. Reading examples — 35 minutes
Distribute copies of the comparing opinion stories handout and explain to students they will be reading the three main types of opinion stories: an editorial, a column and a review. Explain that students will be comparing them. (To prepare for this activity, conduct a brief discussion to define vocabulary terms like purpose and tone as needed.)
Give students time to read the stories and record their answers. As they finish, discuss their findings.
2. Presentation — 15 minutes
Next use the slideshow presentation, explaining how the three main types differ as students take notes on the material.