In this lesson, you will sharpen your skill in telling factual statements from opinion statements, especially inside an opinion editorial. You will revisit how a main idea and supporting sentences work together to build a clear argument. You will also meet the idea of textual evidence and see early examples of quotation, paraphrase, and summary. These tools help a writer support a claim and make readers trust the information. By the end of today, you will read opinion editorials with more curiosity and confidence.
🎯 Learning Goals
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Distinguish factual statements from opinion statements in short passages and opinion editorials.
- Identify the main idea and at least two supporting sentences in a short paragraph from an opinion editorial.
- Explain in your own words what textual evidence, quotation, paraphrase, and summary are and why writers use them.
🧩 Key Ideas & Terms
- Fact – A statement that can be proven true or false using evidence.
- Opinion – A statement that expresses feelings, beliefs, or judgments that cannot be proven in the same way as facts.
- Opinion editorial (op-ed) – An article that presents a writer’s point of view on an issue, often mixing facts and opinions to argue a claim.
- Main idea – The most important point or message of a paragraph or passage.
- Supporting sentences – Sentences that explain, prove, or give examples for the main idea.
- Textual evidence – Information taken from another text to support a claim or explanation.
- Quotation – Textual evidence copied word-for-word from a source and placed inside quotation marks.
- Paraphrase – Textual evidence restated in your own words and sentence structure, about the same length as the original idea.
- Summary – A shortened version of a text that gives only the central idea and key points in your own words.
🔄 Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge
Warm up your thinking by reviewing what you already know about facts, opinions, and informational texts.
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Think of a statement you recently heard on the news or social media. Was it a fact or an opinion? How do you know?
Show Answer
Sample answer: “Our city recorded 200 dengue cases last month” is a fact because it can be checked in official health reports. “Our city is the worst at handling dengue” is an opinion because it shows a judgment that cannot be proven with one clear measure. -
In a previous lesson, what was one clue that a sentence is an opinion and not a fact?
Show Answer
Opinion sentences often use value words such as “should,” “best,” “worst,” “must,” or show personal feelings and judgments, while facts present information that can be directly verified. -
Recall a paragraph you have read. How did you usually spot the main idea in that paragraph?
Show Answer
The main idea often appears in the topic sentence at the beginning or end of the paragraph and is supported by the other sentences. It is the “big point” that the rest of the details explain. -
When your teacher asked you to “prove your answer” in earlier lessons, what kinds of things did you use as proof?
Show Answer
Possible answers: sentences from the text, data or numbers, examples from the story, or explanations in my own words that connect to what the text says. These are all forms of evidence.
📖 Explore the Lesson
Checkpoint 1 – Telling Fact from Opinion
Mini-goal: Refresh how to tell factual statements from opinion statements in short texts.
Before you can evaluate opinion editorials, you need sharp “fact-or-opinion lenses.” A factual statement tells something that can be checked and proven true or false. It is usually based on records, measurements, or direct observation. For example, “Dengue is spread by mosquitoes” is factual because doctors and scientists can confirm it through research and data. Even if you personally have never had dengue, the statement stands on evidence.
An opinion statement expresses what someone thinks, feels, or believes. It often answers questions such as “What do you think?” or “What should be done?” Opinions may be wise, careless, kind, or harmful, but what makes them opinions is that they cannot be proven in exactly the same way facts can. “Dengue myths on social media are a deadly virus” is an opinion because it compares false beliefs to a virus and makes a strong judgment.
Many texts, especially opinion editorials, contain both facts and opinions. The writer may present facts about a topic, then add opinions to argue for a certain action or viewpoint. Your task as a reader is not to reject opinions automatically but to notice them clearly and ask, “What facts support this? Are these facts accurate and fair?”
Real-life tie-in: On social media, posts that mix a few true details with many strong opinions can spread fast. Being able to separate facts from opinions helps you avoid being misled, especially when the topic affects health, safety, or important decisions.
Mini-summary: Facts can be checked and proven; opinions express judgments or beliefs. Opinion editorials use both, so you must learn to recognize each type clearly.
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Which signal words often hint that you are reading an opinion rather than a fact?
Show Answer
Words like “should,” “must,” “better,” “best,” “worst,” “I believe,” and “in my view” often signal an opinion, especially when they are used to judge something. -
Why is a factual statement still a fact even if some people refuse to believe it?
Show Answer
Because its truth does not depend on people’s beliefs; it depends on reliable evidence such as records, data, or expert observation. -
In one sentence, explain why it is dangerous to share strong opinions about health topics without checking the facts.
Show Answer
Sharing unverified opinions about health can make people follow unsafe advice, ignore real dangers, or distrust helpful treatments.
Checkpoint 2 – What Makes an Opinion Editorial Different?
Mini-goal: Understand what an opinion editorial is and how it differs from a news report.
A news article aims to report events as accurately and fairly as possible. Reporters try to answer questions like who, what, when, where, why, and how, using verified facts and statements from sources. Their task is to inform readers about what happened, not to convince them to agree with a certain viewpoint.
An opinion editorial, often called an op-ed, is different. Here, the writer focuses on giving a clear opinion about an issue and persuading readers to consider or support that position. The topic might be public health, traffic, education, or any current issue. The writer combines facts, examples, and reasoning to build a strong argument. The voice is more personal, and the writer’s stance is visible.
Although an opinion editorial is built around a point of view, it does not mean the writer can say anything without support. Responsible opinion writers still rely on accurate information. They use factual statements as textual evidence to strengthen their opinion statements. They may quote experts, paraphrase research, or summarize reports. They also show a clear main idea (their central claim) and develop it using supporting sentences.
Real-life tie-in: When you read online articles that sound strong or emotional, ask yourself: “Is this news or is it opinion?” Knowing the difference helps you decide how to read and respond. You can enjoy the writer’s viewpoint while still thinking critically about the evidence.
Mini-summary: News aims to report events; opinion editorials aim to argue a point of view using a mix of facts and opinions. Both can inform you, but they have different purposes and styles.
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What is one key difference between a news report and an opinion editorial?
Show Answer
A news report focuses on reporting events and information, while an opinion editorial focuses on presenting and arguing for a writer’s point of view. -
Why do opinion editorial writers still need to use accurate facts?
Show Answer
Because accurate facts provide evidence for their claims, help convince readers, and maintain the writer’s credibility. -
If an article uses “I think” and “in my view” many times, what does that suggest about the type of text?
Show Answer
It suggests that the text is likely an opinion piece, not a straight news report, because it shows the writer’s personal viewpoint.
Checkpoint 3 – Main Idea and Supporting Sentences in an Op-Ed
Mini-goal: Practice spotting the main idea and supporting sentences in short opinion editorial paragraphs.
In any strong paragraph, especially in an opinion editorial, the main idea acts like the “spine” of the text. It holds everything together and tells the reader what the paragraph is mainly about. Often, the main idea appears near the beginning as a topic sentence, although it can also be placed at the end for emphasis.
Supporting sentences are like ribs attached to that spine. They give explanations, examples, statistics, or stories that make the main idea clearer and more convincing. Without them, the main idea would feel weak, like a claim with no proof. In an opinion editorial, supporting sentences may include both factual statements and opinion statements that interpret those facts.
For example, a main idea might be: “The government must improve its health information campaigns.” Supporting sentences might include facts about infection rates, examples of false beliefs spreading online, and a quotation from a health expert. When you read, you can ask: “What is the writer really trying to say?” and “Which sentences help that idea?”
Real-life tie-in: When you speak to convince a parent, teacher, or friend, you also use a main message and support. You might say, “I should be allowed more study time after school” and then give reasons. Seeing this pattern in your own speech makes it easier to recognize in professional writing.
Mini-summary: The main idea is the central claim of the paragraph; supporting sentences give the reasons, evidence, and examples that make the claim believable.
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How can you usually recognize the main idea sentence in a paragraph?
Show Answer
It states the overall point of the paragraph, and the other sentences connect back to it by explaining or proving it. -
What kinds of details can appear in supporting sentences of an opinion editorial?
Show Answer
Examples, explanations, statistics, quotations, paraphrased research, stories, and comparisons that clarify or prove the main idea. -
Why is it important for you, as a reader, to identify the main idea and support in an opinion editorial?
Show Answer
Because it helps you understand the writer’s claim clearly, judge whether the support is strong, and decide whether you agree or not.
Checkpoint 4 – What Is Textual Evidence?
Mini-goal: Understand what textual evidence means and why writers rely on it.
When writers want to make their arguments strong, they do not rely only on their own words. They also bring in textual evidence—information that comes directly from another text. This might be a sentence from a news report, a line from a speech, a data point from a study, or a definition from a book. When used correctly, textual evidence makes a paragraph more trustworthy.
Think of textual evidence as a friend you invite to support you. If you claim that “dengue myths are spreading quickly online,” you can support this by citing data about social media use or by quoting a reliable news source that reports the spread of misinformation. Now your opinion is not standing alone; it is standing beside information from a credible source.
In school writing, especially in opinion pieces, your teacher will often ask, “What is your evidence?” They are really asking, “What text did you read that supports this?” As you continue this week’s lessons, you will practice bringing evidence into your writing in different ways so that your arguments sound informed, fair, and convincing.
Real-life tie-in: When you try to convince someone about a serious topic—like health, safety, or money—people feel safer if you can point to a trustworthy source. Saying “Experts from the World Health Organization explain that…” sounds more reliable than “I just feel like this is true.”
Mini-summary: Textual evidence is information from another text used to support your own claim or explanation. It adds strength and credibility to your writing.
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Give one example of textual evidence you might use when writing about dengue prevention.
Show Answer
Example: A statistic from a health department report about dengue cases, or a sentence from a medical article explaining how dengue spreads. -
Why is “I just think so” not a strong form of evidence?
Show Answer
Because it does not show where the information came from or whether it is based on facts; it is only personal feeling. -
How does using textual evidence affect your reader’s trust in your writing?
Show Answer
It increases trust because readers see that your claims are connected to reliable sources, not just to your own opinion.
Checkpoint 5 – Three Ways to Use Textual Evidence: Quotation
Mini-goal: Learn what a quotation is and when you might choose to use it.
One way to bring textual evidence into your writing is through a quotation. A quotation is a part of a source that you copy exactly and place inside quotation marks. It can be as short as a word or phrase or as long as several sentences. When you quote, you show respect for the original writer’s exact words and give them credit.
Quotations are powerful when the original wording is striking, memorable, or written by someone with strong authority on the topic. For example, quoting a respected doctor, professor, or organization can give your paragraph more weight. However, you should not fill your writing with long quotations. Instead, choose only the most important lines and connect them to your own explanation.
In an opinion editorial, the writer might quote a short, sharp sentence from an expert, then explain how it supports their claim. As a reader, you should notice who is being quoted and ask whether that person is a credible source. This connects to the idea of veracity, or truthfulness, which you will explore more deeply in the next days.
Real-life tie-in: When you retell advice from a teacher, parent, or health worker, you sometimes say, “She said…” and then you give their words. You do this because their exact words matter and help you convince someone else. That is very similar to using quotations in writing.
Mini-summary: Quotation means using the exact words from a source, inside quotation marks, to support your point. It is useful when the original wording or the authority of the speaker matters.
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Why should you still explain a quotation in your own words after you use it?
Show Answer
Because readers need help seeing how the quotation supports your specific claim. Your explanation connects the evidence to your argument. -
Give one situation where you think a quotation would be more effective than a paraphrase.
Show Answer
Example: When the original sentence is very powerful or famous, or when you want to show exactly what a well-known expert said. -
What questions should you ask about the person or source you are quoting?
Show Answer
Ask: Who is this person? Are they knowledgeable about the topic? Are they reliable and free from strong bias?
Checkpoint 6 – Paraphrasing and Summarizing the Ideas of Others
Mini-goal: Understand how paraphrase and summary work as ways of using textual evidence.
Besides quoting, you can also use textual evidence by paraphrasing or summarizing. A paraphrase keeps the full idea of the original sentence or short passage but expresses it in your own words and sentence structure. It is usually about the same length as the original. Paraphrasing shows that you truly understand the idea and can restate it clearly.
A summary is shorter than the original. It focuses only on the main idea and the most important points. Summaries are helpful when you want to give your reader an overview of a longer text before concentrating on a specific part. In an opinion editorial, a writer might summarize a report in one or two sentences, then zoom in on a detail that supports the claim.
Whether you quote, paraphrase, or summarize, you should always make it clear that the idea came from another source, not from you. This honesty protects you from plagiarism and helps your reader see which parts are based on research and which parts are your own comments or opinions.
Real-life tie-in: When you come home from school and tell a friend about a long speech, you do not repeat every word. Instead, you pick out the key points (summary) or retell a few sentences in your own way (paraphrase). You are already practicing these skills in everyday life.
Mini-summary: Paraphrasing restates a source’s idea in about the same length using your own words; summarizing shortens a longer text to its main idea and key points. Both are honest ways to bring textual evidence into your writing.
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When might you choose to paraphrase instead of quote a source?
Show Answer
When the exact words are not important, but the idea is useful, and you want your paragraph to sound more like your own voice. -
When might a summary be more effective than a paraphrase?
Show Answer
When the original text is long and you only need its main point to give background or context for your argument. -
Why is it important to still mention the source when paraphrasing or summarizing?
Show Answer
Because the idea still belongs to the original author. Giving credit shows honesty and helps readers find the source if they want more information.
💡 Example in Action
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Example 1 – Fact or Opinion?
Statement: “People in our barangay reported 50 dengue cases last month.”
Decide if it is a fact or an opinion, and explain quickly.Show Answer
It is a fact because it reports a specific number of dengue cases that can be checked against health records. -
Example 2 – Fact or Opinion?
Statement: “The government’s dengue campaign is a complete failure.”
Decide if it is a fact or an opinion, and explain quickly.Show Answer
It is an opinion because it makes a strong judgment (“complete failure”) that cannot be proven with one clear measurement. -
Example 3 – Finding the Main Idea
Paragraph: “Fake health tips on social media cause real harm. When people believe unproven cures, they may delay going to the doctor. Some even stop taking prescribed medicines. For this reason, readers must be more critical about what they share online.”
Identify the main idea sentence.Show Answer
The main idea is in the first sentence: “Fake health tips on social media cause real harm.” -
Example 4 – Supporting Sentences
In the same paragraph, name two supporting sentences and explain how they support the main idea.Show Answer
Supporting sentences: “When people believe unproven cures, they may delay going to the doctor.” and “Some even stop taking prescribed medicines.” They give concrete examples of how fake tips cause harm. -
Example 5 – Quotation vs Paraphrase
Source sentence: “Experts warn that sharing unverified medical advice online can put lives at risk.”
Which of the following is a quotation and which is a paraphrase?
A. One article says that “sharing unverified medical advice online can put lives at risk.”
B. One article explains that passing along medical tips without checking them might endanger people’s lives.
Show Answer
Sentence A is a quotation because it copies the key words exactly inside quotation marks. Sentence B is a paraphrase because it restates the idea in new words and structure.
📝 Try It Out
Answer in your notebook. Afterwards, open the answer keys to check your work and thinking.
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Write two original statements about school: one fact and one opinion. Label each clearly.
Show Answer
Sample: Fact – “Our English class starts at 9:30 a.m. every Monday.” Opinion – “English is the most enjoyable subject in school.” -
Copy a short paragraph from a news article or textbook. Underline the sentence that you think is the main idea.
Show Answer
Teacher checks. The main idea should be the sentence that the other details explain or support. -
In the same paragraph, circle at least two supporting sentences. Briefly explain what they add.
Show Answer
Supporting sentences might add examples, reasons, or numbers. Learners’ explanations should show how each detail connects back to the main idea. -
In one to two sentences, define textual evidence in your own words and give one example.
Show Answer
Sample: “Textual evidence is information taken from another text to support my ideas. For example, I can use a sentence from a health article to prove that dengue cases are rising.” -
Turn this source sentence into a quotation in your notebook:
Source: “Responsible readers always check where information comes from before sharing it.”
Begin with: According to the article, …Show Answer
Sample: “According to the article, ‘Responsible readers always check where information comes from before sharing it.’” -
Paraphrase the same source sentence in one sentence, using your own words.
Show Answer
Sample: “The article says that careful readers make sure they know the source of information before they pass it on.” -
Write a one-sentence summary of a three- or four-sentence paragraph from any text you read today.
Show Answer
Teacher checks. The summary should keep only the central idea and main point, without extra details. -
Create one short paragraph (3–4 sentences) giving your opinion about social media as a source of information. Include at least one factual statement and one opinion statement.
Show Answer
Teacher checks. Look for a clear opinion main idea, at least one factual detail, and a sign that the learner can distinguish fact from opinion. -
Write one question you would like to ask the writer of an opinion editorial about their sources of information.
Show Answer
Sample: “How did you verify the data you used in your article?” or “Which sources did you rely on most for your statistics?” -
Reflect: In one or two sentences, explain which part of today’s lesson you found easiest and which part you found most challenging.
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Teacher can use them to see who needs more help with fact vs opinion, main idea, or textual evidence.
✅ Check Yourself
Answer these items to see what you already understand about facts, opinions, and textual evidence.
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(Multiple Choice) Which statement is a fact?
a. “Our school has the best English teachers.”
b. “Many students enjoy reading opinion editorials.”
c. “Grade 8 has four English sections this year.”
d. “Opinion editorials are boring to read.”
Show Answer
Correct answer: c. It can be checked in school records. -
(Multiple Choice) Which statement is an opinion?
a. “The article was published on March 1, 2025.”
b. “The article discusses dengue myths.”
c. “The author is a health reporter.”
d. “The author gives the most convincing explanation about dengue.”
Show Answer
Correct answer: d. It shows a personal judgment. -
(True/False) A main idea is usually less important than the details in a paragraph.
Show Answer
False. The main idea is the most important point; the details support it. -
(True/False) Supporting sentences are used to explain and prove the main idea.
Show Answer
True. They make the main idea clear and convincing. -
(Short Answer) What is an opinion editorial?
Show Answer
An opinion editorial is an article that presents a writer’s viewpoint about an issue and tries to persuade readers, often using both facts and opinions. -
(Multiple Choice) Which of the following best defines textual evidence?
a. Your feelings about a topic
b. A guess about what might happen
c. Information taken from another text to support a point
d. The title of an article
Show Answer
Correct answer: c. -
(Multiple Choice) Which example shows a quotation?
a. The author thinks health campaigns are useful.
b. The article explains that students must read carefully.
c. The writer says it is important to be critical online.
d. The report states, “Readers must question every claim they find on social media.”
Show Answer
Correct answer: d. It copies the exact words and places them in quotation marks. -
(Short Answer) What is one sign that a sentence is a paraphrase and not a quotation?
Show Answer
It restates the original idea in new words and structure and does not use quotation marks, but it still credits the source. -
(Short Answer) Why do writers use summaries of longer texts?
Show Answer
To give readers the main idea and key points of a long text quickly, without repeating every detail. -
(True/False) When you paraphrase or summarize, you no longer need to mention the original source.
Show Answer
False. You must still credit the original source because the ideas came from that text. -
(Multiple Choice) Which sentence is most likely the main idea in a paragraph about fake news?
a. “Some students receive news alerts on their phones.”
b. “Fake news confuses readers and can lead them to make poor decisions.”
c. “Many websites look colorful and interesting.”
d. “Videos are popular on social media.”
Show Answer
Correct answer: b. It states the central point about fake news. -
(Short Answer) Write one question you can ask yourself to check if a statement in an article is a fact.
Show Answer
Sample: “Can I verify this information in a reliable source, such as official records or expert reports?” -
(Short Answer) Write one question you can ask yourself to check if a statement in an article is an opinion.
Show Answer
Sample: “Is this statement showing a judgment, feeling, or personal belief that cannot be clearly proven?” -
(Multiple Choice) A statement that mixes factual information with a judgment is mainly:
a. A pure fact
b. A pure opinion
c. An opinion supported by facts
d. A summary
Show Answer
Correct answer: c. It is an opinion that uses facts as support. -
(Reflection Item) In one or two sentences, explain why learning to use textual evidence will help you in future writing tasks.
Show Answer
Sample: “Using textual evidence will help me write more convincing essays and reports because I can support my ideas with information from reliable sources, not just my opinions.”
🚀 Go Further (optional)
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Fact-or-Opinion Wall – Collect 5–10 statements from headlines or social media posts and classify them as facts or opinions on a mini “wall” or chart.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Encourage learners to record where each statement came from and discuss why they labeled it as fact or opinion. Highlight any disagreements and talk through the reasoning. -
Op-Ed Scavenger Hunt – Find an opinion editorial online or in print and mark at least three factual statements and three opinion statements.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Ask learners to color-code facts and opinions. In class, compare choices and clarify any confusing examples. Emphasize how facts are used to support opinions. -
Main Idea Detective – Choose two short paragraphs from different texts and write a “case report” explaining the main idea and supporting details for each.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Provide a simple template: paragraph title, suspected main idea, supporting evidence. Use this to check learners’ ability to identify structure. -
Textual Evidence Journal – Keep a small journal for one week where you note any sentence from a text that could be used as strong textual evidence in an opinion piece.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Encourage learners to record the exact sentence, source, and why it might be useful. This builds a habit of noticing evidence while reading. -
Mini-Interview – Interview a family member or classmate about a current issue (for example, online learning or public transport) and write three factual statements and three opinion statements based on the conversation.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Help learners separate what the person reported as fact (e.g., schedules, prices, rules) from their judgments (e.g., “too difficult,” “very convenient”). Use this to practice labeling statements accurately.
🔗 My Reflection
Notebook prompt:
Think of one opinion you strongly hold about a current issue (for example, social media, school rules, or community health). Describe it in two or three sentences, then answer: What facts do I already know that support this opinion? What facts do I still need to check?
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