Grade 6 - Perfection Learning

In the Media
Editorials
Most writing in major newspapers tries to avoid expressing opinions on the news
stories it presents. However, almost every newspaper has one page each day where
persuasive compositions are printed. The compositions are usually on current
topics written by the newspaper’s editors, staff writers, and guest writers. When
a persuasive composition is printed on a newspaper’s opinion page, it is called an
editorial.
Editorials are an important way of discussing ideas in public. Leaders in government
and business read them to find out what people are thinking. People who want to
respond can write letters to the editor, some of which may be printed on the same
page. Editorials are one way for everyone to communicate about important issues.
Media Activity
In groups of three or four, choose a topic currently in the news to discuss in class.
Bring newspapers with editorials on the subject to class—as many as possible.
Many newspapers are available both in print and on the Internet. You may even
find newspapers from a different state or country.
Read all the editorials your group gathers on your subject.
After considering all the opinions, have a discussion to decide your group’s view of
the issue. Maybe everyone agrees, but maybe they don’t. Then write a paragraph
telling what you learned and share it with other groups in your class.
In the Media
In the Media
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