ENG8 Q3W1D1: From Opinion to Editorial: What Makes It Different?

English 8 • Quarter 3 • Day 1
From Opinion to Editorial: What Makes It Different?

You share opinions every day—about school rules, online trends, or community issues—but some opinions travel farther than a classroom or group chat. In this lesson, you will connect what you already know about persuasive writing to a new kind of informational text: the opinion editorial. You will explore how opinion and editorial differ in purpose, audience, and structure, and how editorials blend facts, arguments, and viewpoints. As you read, discuss, and reflect, you will begin thinking like a critical reader who can spot a clear opinion, a solid editorial, and the signals that separate them.

• Subject: English — Opinion Editorials
• Grade: 8
• Day: 1 of 4

🎯 Learning Goals

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. Differentiate a personal opinion from an opinion editorial in terms of purpose, audience, and format using concrete examples.
2. Identify the main opinion, supporting reasons, and intended audience in short opinion-based texts and images.
3. Explain in 3–5 sentences how opinion editorials build on persuasive writing skills such as thesis, arguments, and evidence.

🧩 Key Ideas & Terms

• Opinion – A personal belief or judgment about an issue that may or may not be supported by evidence.
• Editorial – An article in a newspaper, magazine, or website that presents the opinion of the writer or publication on a current issue.
• Opinion editorial (op-ed) – A type of informational text where the writer explains a position on an issue and supports it with reasons and evidence.
• Persuasive writing – Writing that aims to convince readers to accept a point of view or take a specific action.
• Thesis / main claim – The central opinion or stand that the writer wants the reader to accept.
• Argument – A reason given to support the thesis, often backed up with facts, examples, or explanations.
• Evidence – Facts, statistics, expert opinions, or real examples used to support an argument.
• Audience – The group of people a text is written for.
• Purpose – The reason a text is written (for example, to inform, to persuade, to entertain, or to evaluate).
• Bias – A preference or leaning toward one side of an issue that can affect how information is presented.

🔄 Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge

Connect this new lesson on opinion editorials to what you already know about persuasive texts.

1. Recall one persuasive text you studied before (for example, a speech, advertisement, or debate). What was it mainly trying to convince people to do or believe?
   Show Answer

   Possible answers: buy a product; support a campaign; agree with a new school rule; protect the environment; join a club; change a habit, and so on.
2. Think of an opinion you have shared recently (face-to-face or online). What was the topic, and how strongly did you feel about it?
   Show Answer

   Sample ideas: opinion about school calendar, social media use, uniforms, grading system, or community issues like traffic or cleanliness.
3. When you read or hear someone’s opinion, what helps you trust it more: the person’s popularity, or the reasons and evidence they give? Why?
   Show Answer

   Guided answer: learners should notice that clear reasons and evidence make an opinion more convincing and trustworthy than popularity alone.
4. Think of a news post or headline you have seen. How is it different from a comment or reaction below it?
   Show Answer

   News posts mostly report facts and events; comments share personal opinions and reactions. Editorials are closer to comments but are more planned, structured, and supported by evidence.

📖 Explore the Lesson

Checkpoint 1 – Looking Back at Persuasive Writing

Mini-goal: Recall the key elements of persuasive writing and connect them to opinion-based texts.

Before we talk about editorials, remember the persuasive texts you studied earlier. In persuasive writing, a writer does more than simply share thoughts. They present a clear thesis or main claim, support it with arguments, and back up those arguments with evidence such as facts, examples, or quotations. Sometimes, they also mention counterarguments—reasons that disagree with their position—and show why those counterarguments are weaker.

Many of the texts you encounter in daily life use these persuasive techniques: speeches during school campaigns, posters about environmental issues, advertisements on social media, and even some long comment threads. All of them try to shape the way readers or listeners think, feel, or act. They do this by choosing specific words, tone, and examples that will appeal to the target audience.

Opinion editorials grow out of this same tradition. They are not random rants. They are carefully shaped pieces of persuasive writing that appear in newspapers and online news sites. Because they are published next to news articles, they are expected to be clear, respectful, and supported by facts, even though they still express a point of view. Your earlier practice in persuasive writing actually prepares you to understand and evaluate editorials more deeply.

Real-life tie-in: When you hear a classmate campaigning for a position, you automatically judge whether their promises sound realistic and supported. You are already checking their thesis, arguments, and evidence—just as you will do with editorial writers.

Mini-summary: Persuasive writing uses thesis, arguments, and evidence to convince readers. Opinion editorials use these same tools but in a published, more structured form.

1. What three parts of persuasive writing are most important for convincing readers?
   Show Answer

   A clear thesis or main claim, strong supporting arguments, and evidence such as facts, examples, or quotations.
2. Why is it helpful to know persuasive techniques before studying editorials?
   Show Answer

   Because editorials are a type of persuasive text, and understanding persuasive techniques helps you see how editorials try to influence readers.
3. Give one everyday example of persuasive writing outside your English class.
   Show Answer

   Possible answers: a campaign speech, an advertisement, an advocacy poster, a social media thread trying to convince people, or a petition.

Checkpoint 2 – What Is an Opinion?

Mini-goal: Clarify what “opinion” means and how it appears in daily communication.

An opinion is a personal belief or judgment about something. When you say, “I think online classes are more tiring than face-to-face classes,” you are stating an opinion. It may be based on your experiences, feelings, and observations. Opinions are not automatically wrong just because they are personal; however, they are not automatically correct either. They become more convincing when they are explained and supported.

In a conversation, you might share opinions quickly, without much planning. In group chats or comment sections, people post opinions openly, sometimes in an emotional or joking way. These opinions might be interesting, but many are not checked for accuracy. Some may even spread misinformation. This is why we need to be careful about which opinions we listen to and which we should question.

In school and in public media, opinions are more powerful when they are connected to reasons and evidence. Instead of simply saying, “I hate this policy,” a more responsible opinion explains why, shows its impact on people, and offers better options. When opinions are developed in this way and then published in a newspaper or credible website, they begin to look more like an editorial than a simple personal reaction.

Real-life tie-in: Think about a time when you changed your mind after hearing someone explain their opinion clearly. Their belief became more convincing not because they shouted louder but because they gave reasons you understood.

Mini-summary: An opinion is a personal belief. It becomes stronger and more responsible when supported by reasons and evidence, especially when shared in public spaces.

1. How is an opinion different from a fact?
   Show Answer

   A fact can be checked and proven true or false, while an opinion is a belief or judgment that depends on a person’s point of view.
2. Why can unplanned opinions in comments or chats sometimes be risky?
   Show Answer

   Because they may spread misinformation, be based on emotion instead of evidence, or hurt others without careful thinking.
3. What makes a personal opinion more responsible and convincing?
   Show Answer

   Giving clear reasons, using evidence, and thinking about how the opinion affects other people and the audience.

Checkpoint 3 – What Is an Editorial?

Mini-goal: Understand an editorial as a published opinion piece with a clear purpose and audience.

An editorial is an article usually found in the opinion or editorial section of a newspaper or news website. It presents the stand of the writer or the publication on a current issue, such as education reforms, transportation policies, or environmental problems. Unlike a simple opinion, an editorial is planned, revised, and checked before publication. It combines facts and analysis with a clear point of view.

Editorials are a type of informational text because they deal with real issues, real events, and real data. However, they are also persuasive because they invite readers to agree with a position or at least consider it seriously. Good editorials use a respectful tone and focus on issues, not personal attacks. They try to guide public thinking without insulting those who disagree.

An editorial has a specific audience. It may be written for parents, students, commuters, or citizens in a community. The writer chooses examples, vocabulary, and level of detail that fit that audience. The purpose may be to criticize a policy, support a program, suggest solutions, or call people to action. These choices make an editorial more than just the writer’s feelings; they make it a tool for public discussion.

Real-life tie-in: When you see a news site sharing “Opinion” or “Editorial” articles about school calendars, jeepney routes, or award systems, those pieces are meant to help readers think deeply about what is happening in the country, not just to give information.

Mini-summary: An editorial is a short, published article that explains and supports an opinion on a current issue for a specific audience and purpose.

1. In what way is an editorial “informational” and not just emotional?
   Show Answer

   It uses real issues, facts, examples, and analysis to inform readers while also sharing a point of view.
2. Why should editorials focus on issues rather than attacking people?
   Show Answer

   Focusing on issues keeps the discussion respectful and professional and makes the argument stronger and more fair.
3. How do audience and purpose shape the way an editorial is written?
   Show Answer

   The writer chooses language, examples, and level of detail that will make sense for the target readers and support the goal, such as informing, criticizing, or suggesting solutions.

Checkpoint 4 – Opinion vs Editorial: Comparing Side by Side

Mini-goal: Compare personal opinions and editorials using purpose, audience, and structure.

Personal opinions and editorials both express what someone thinks about an issue, but they serve different roles. A personal opinion can be quick, informal, and private. It might be shared with a friend or posted in a chat without planning. An editorial, on the other hand, is formal, public, and planned. It is meant to appear next to news articles, so it must be clear and responsible.

You can compare them across three main points: purpose, audience, and structure. A personal opinion’s purpose is usually to express feelings. Its audience might be only one person or a small group, and its structure may be loose or unorganized. An editorial aims to influence public opinion, speak to a wider audience, and follow a more organized structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Aspect	Personal Opinion	Editorial
Purpose	Express feelings or thoughts	Influence public opinion and suggest action
Audience	Friends, classmates, followers	General public or specific community
Structure	May be unplanned or short	Planned, with clear beginning, middle, and end

Seeing these differences helps you recognize when a text is just someone speaking out and when it is a more formal editorial that needs careful reading. As you move through this quarter, you will learn not only to tell them apart, but also to analyze how editorials are built and why they can be powerful.

Real-life tie-in: A classmate’s “rant” on social media about a policy may sound strong, but an editorial on the same topic in a reputable news site will usually give more background, explanations, and possible solutions.

Mini-summary: Personal opinions and editorials both express views, but editorials are more formal, public, and structured, with the purpose of influencing a wider audience.

1. How does the purpose of a personal opinion differ from the purpose of an editorial?
   Show Answer

   A personal opinion mainly expresses feelings or thoughts, while an editorial aims to influence public opinion and encourage readers to think or act.
2. Why does an editorial need a clearer structure than a casual opinion?
   Show Answer

   Because it is published for many readers and must present its ideas in an organized, easy-to-follow way to be convincing and responsible.
3. Give one example of an opinion that should remain private and one that might be suitable for an editorial.
   Show Answer

   Private: a personal like or dislike about a classmate. Suitable for editorial: views on school calendar changes, public transport, or education policies.

Checkpoint 5 – Why Editorials Matter in Society

Mini-goal: Recognize the role of editorials in shaping public thinking and encouraging critical reading.

Editorials do not change laws directly, but they can influence the people who make and follow those laws. When a respected newspaper publishes an editorial about education quality or climate change, leaders and citizens may pay attention. Editorials can highlight problems that are being ignored, show how policies affect ordinary people, and suggest solutions that leaders may adopt or discuss.

For readers like you, editorials are also a training ground for critical thinking. As you read, you are challenged to ask: “Do I agree? Why or why not? Is the evidence strong? Are other sides of the issue considered?” Reading editorials with these questions in mind helps you avoid believing everything you see online and teaches you to look for clarity of meaning, purpose, and audience.

At the same time, editorials can show bias. A publication may favor certain groups, ideas, or leaders. That is why it is important to read more than one source and compare viewpoints. Doing this does not make you negative; it makes you careful and informed. You learn to respect strong, well-supported opinions and to question those that are weak or unfair.

Real-life tie-in: When big issues arise—such as changes in school schedules, transportation routes, or award systems—editorials often become part of the public conversation. Students, parents, teachers, and officials can read them and reflect on what should be done.

Mini-summary: Editorials help shape public discussion and give readers a chance to practice critical thinking about real issues, evidence, and possible solutions.

1. How can editorials influence decision-makers even if they are not laws?
   Show Answer

   They can shape public opinion, raise awareness, and put pressure on leaders to act or reconsider their decisions.
2. What questions should you ask yourself when reading an editorial?
   Show Answer

   Questions like: What is the main opinion? What evidence is given? Who is the audience? Is the text fair and clear? Do I agree, and why or why not?
3. Why is it useful to read editorials from more than one source?
   Show Answer

   To see different sides of an issue, notice possible bias, and form a more balanced and informed opinion.

💡 Example in Action

1. Example 1 – Comment or Editorial?
   A short text says, “The new school calendar is the worst idea ever! I’m so annoyed. #bringbacksummervacation.” It appears as a post on a student’s personal account. Is this more likely a personal opinion or an editorial? Why?
   Show Answer

   It is a personal opinion because it is informal, emotional, and posted on a personal account without clear structure or evidence.
2. Example 2 – Identifying the Audience
   A newspaper publishes an article titled “Students Deserve Cooler Classrooms” that discusses heat in schools, quotes teachers and health experts, and suggests government action. Who is the most likely target audience for this editorial?
   Show Answer

   The general public, especially students, parents, teachers, and education officials who can influence or make decisions about school conditions.
3. Example 3 – Opinion with Evidence
   A learner writes: “I believe blended learning should continue even after the school calendar returns to normal. During the heatwave, it allowed students to stay safe at home, and studies show that flexible schedules can reduce stress.” What makes this more than just a simple opinion?
   Show Answer

   It gives reasons (safety during heatwave, reduced stress) and mentions studies, which counts as evidence.
4. Example 4 – Editorial or News?
   One article describes only the dates of the school year, quotations from officials, and the exact wording of a new order. Another article on the same page argues that the schedule still does not solve deeper education problems and suggests improvements. Which is the editorial?
   Show Answer

   The second article is the editorial because it gives an opinion about the schedule and suggests improvements, not just reports facts.
5. Example 5 – Spotting Purpose
   An article ends with: “It is time for students, parents, and school leaders to demand safer learning environments before planning any further calendar shifts.” What does this ending tell you about the purpose of the text?
   Show Answer

   Its purpose is to persuade readers to take action and speak up about safer learning environments, which is typical of an editorial.

📝 Try It Out

Answer the tasks in your notebook. Then compare with the suggested answers.

1. Write two sentences stating a personal opinion about a school-related issue (for example, uniforms, schedule, or gadgets). Underline the phrase that shows it is an opinion.
   Show Answer

   Look for sentences with markers like “I think,” “I believe,” or value words such as “better,” “unfair,” “helpful,” or “harmful.”
2. Rewrite one of your opinions from Item 1 to make it more convincing. Add at least one reason or piece of evidence.
   Show Answer

   Answers will vary; a good response clearly adds a reason (because…) or example (for instance…).
3. List three differences between a personal opinion and an editorial using the aspects purpose, audience, and structure.
   Show Answer

   Sample: Purpose – opinion: express feelings; editorial: influence public opinion. Audience – opinion: small circle; editorial: wider public. Structure – opinion: may be random; editorial: organized with beginning, middle, end.
4. Think of a headline about a current issue (real or imagined). Copy it in your notebook and write one sentence that could start an editorial based on that headline.
   Show Answer

   Look for an opening sentence that mentions the issue and hints at a stand, for example, “The recent changes in the school calendar may not be the solution our students truly need.”
5. Choose one editorial-like sentence: “The government must act now to protect students from extreme classroom heat.” Identify the thesis, the implied audience, and the purpose.
   Show Answer

   Thesis: the government must act now to protect students. Audience: government officials and concerned citizens. Purpose: persuade action on classroom heat.
6. In your own words, define “editorial” in one to two sentences.
   Show Answer

   Example: “An editorial is a short article in a newspaper or online news site that explains and supports an opinion on a current issue to influence readers.”
7. Copy a short comment or statement you have seen (keep it anonymous and school-appropriate). Explain how you would improve it if it were part of an editorial.
   Show Answer

   Possible improvements: remove name-calling, add reasons and evidence, use a calmer tone, and connect it to a wider issue.
8. Make a three-column chart labeled Text, Opinion or Editorial?, and Reason. Create three sample lines of text and classify each as personal opinion or editorial.
   Show Answer

   Look for classification based on where the text appears, level of formality, and presence of structure and evidence.
9. Write three guide questions you can ask yourself when reading an editorial to check its clarity and fairness.
   Show Answer

   Example questions: “What is the main opinion?” “What evidence is used?” “Does the writer consider other sides of the issue?”
10. In 3–4 sentences, explain how your skills in persuasive writing can help you both understand and write editorials.
    Show Answer

    Answers will vary; expect learners to mention thesis, arguments, evidence, organizing ideas, and considering the audience.

✅ Check Yourself

Answer the questions, then reveal the answers to check your understanding.

1. (Multiple Choice) Which statement best describes an editorial?
   a. A list of school announcements
   b. An article that reports only facts without opinions
   c. An article that explains and supports a stand on a current issue
   d. A private message between two friends
   Show Answer

   Correct answer: c. An article that explains and supports a stand on a current issue.
2. (Multiple Choice) Which of the following is most likely a personal opinion and not an editorial?
   a. “Officials must invest in cooler classrooms to protect learners.”
   b. “In my view, group work is more fun than individual work, haha.”
   c. “Education leaders should review the policy based on data.”
   d. “The article argues that blended learning reduces stress.”
   Show Answer

   Correct answer: b (informal, personal, not structured).
3. (True/False) An editorial always reports events without giving any opinion.
   Show Answer

   False. Editorials are opinion-based articles that interpret events and issues.
4. (True/False) Both personal opinions and editorials can be persuasive.
   Show Answer

   True. Both can try to convince others, but editorials do it in a more formal and structured way.
5. (Short Answer) What is an “opinion” in your own words?
   Show Answer

   A personal belief or judgment about something that may differ from person to person.
6. (Short Answer) Give one reason why editorials are considered informational texts.
   Show Answer

   They discuss real issues and events and use facts and explanations, even while presenting an opinion.
7. (Multiple Choice) Which aspect is NOT usually part of a casual personal opinion?
   a. Spontaneous feelings
   b. Strong emotions
   c. Carefully checked evidence and sources
   d. Quick reactions to events
   Show Answer

   Correct answer: c. Carefully checked evidence and sources.
8. (Short Answer) Name one way an editorial shows that it is written for a wider audience.
   Show Answer

   It uses formal language, explains background information, and discusses issues that affect many people.
9. (Multiple Choice) Which text purpose best fits an editorial?
   a. To entertain with jokes
   b. To explain a game’s rules
   c. To persuade readers to think or act on an issue
   d. To list vocabulary words
   Show Answer

   Correct answer: c. To persuade readers to think or act on an issue.
10. (True/False) A responsible editorial should focus on issues rather than attacking people personally.
    Show Answer

    True. Focusing on issues makes the argument more professional and fair.
11. (Short Answer) Why is it important to check the evidence in an editorial?
    Show Answer

    So you can judge whether the opinion is well supported, fair, and trustworthy.
12. (Short Answer) Give one similarity between a persuasive speech and an editorial.
    Show Answer

    Both present a main claim and supporting arguments to convince an audience.
13. (Multiple Choice) Which of the following questions shows critical thinking when reading an editorial?
    a. “How many likes did this get?”
    b. “Do I understand the main opinion and the reasons given?”
    c. “Is the title short?”
    d. “Is this written by my friend?”
    Show Answer

    Correct answer: b.
14. (Short Answer) How can knowing your audience help when you write an editorial?
    Show Answer

    It helps you choose examples, language, and tone that will connect with the readers and make your message clearer and more persuasive.
15. (Reflection Check) After this lesson, what is one thing you now notice more when you see opinion posts or editorials online?
    Show Answer

    Answers will vary; learners might mention looking for the main opinion, checking evidence, or thinking about the writer’s purpose and bias.

🚀 Go Further (optional)

1. Opinion vs Editorial Gallery – Collect two short texts: one clear personal opinion (for example, from a chat or caption) and one editorial excerpt (from a news site or module).
   Show Answer

   Teacher guidance: Ask learners to paste or copy both texts in their notebook, then label each as “Opinion” or “Editorial” with reasons. Use this to reinforce differences in audience, purpose, and structure.
2. Issue Hunt – Ask learners to list three current issues that they think deserve an editorial.
   Show Answer

   Teacher guidance: Let pairs choose one issue and briefly explain why it matters to students or the community. This can prepare them for future editorial analysis and writing.
3. Headline Match – Prepare five headlines and five brief opinion statements.
   Show Answer

   Teacher guidance: Learners match each headline with a possible editorial stand. Discuss how a single issue can lead to different but responsible opinions.
4. Voice Check – Have learners rewrite an emotional “rant” into a more balanced editorial-style sentence.
   Show Answer

   Teacher guidance: Emphasize removing name-calling, adding reasons or evidence, and using a respectful tone focused on the issue.
5. Mini Panel Talk – Organize a short group sharing where each learner presents one issue and one possible editorial stand.
   Show Answer

   Teacher guidance: Use simple questions like “Who is your audience?” and “What is your purpose?” to help learners clearly state their stand and target readers.

🔗 My Reflection

Notebook prompt:

Think of one issue that matters to you as a learner (for example, school schedule, facilities, transport, or online habits). In a short paragraph, explain how you would talk about this issue in a casual opinion and how you would reshape it if you were writing an editorial for a school paper. Mention your purpose, audience, and at least one kind of evidence you would use.

Show Answer

Teacher note: Look for clear distinction between casual opinion and editorial. Learners should mention purpose (to express vs to influence), audience (friends vs wider school community), and at least one kind of evidence (personal experience, simple data, or quotations).