When directing middle school students who are reading a newspaper editorial, what is an appropriate instruction?

Identifying factual statements and opinions is an essential skill for middle school students as they engage with complex texts like newspaper editorials. This practice encourages critical thinking by helping students discern between objective information and subjective viewpoints. In a newspaper editorial, factual statements provide verifiable data, while opinions reflect the author's perspective. By focusing on this aspect of reading, students develop their analytical abilities, which are crucial for interpreting various media and understanding the nuances of argumentation and bias. This skill fosters their ability to engage thoughtfully with texts and supports their broader literacy development.

In contrast, summarizing the article focuses primarily on comprehension without encouraging deeper analysis. Discussing the author’s purpose can be significant but may not directly help students practice distinguishing facts from opinions. Writing a response to the article is a valuable exercise, but it assumes students have already understood the content and the distinctions needed. Identifying specific elements within the text tends to lay the foundation for all these other skills.