Lesson 1 Writing:  Combining skills in order to do research



Selection 3: Understanding the Roles, Range, and Realities of Texts
  image of lightbulbs with idea spelled out, one letter on each of the four lightbulbs  

Big idea: Information bombards us regularly. It’s difficult to know what’s real and what’s fake or what’s fact from what’s fiction. In Lesson 3, we will work on how to identify the fake news and junk news from news we can trust. In Lesson 2, we will work on how to use sources effectively while also attributing our ideas to them (giving the actual authors credit). Before we get there, though, it’s important that you understand some of the types of sources and texts out there.  As you look at this information, assess the articles you have used during this course and during this lesson in particular.

How do they measure up?
How would you categorize them?
How can you tell them apart?

Assignment: Review these types of texts. Look up each term with dictionary and write down its definition.  You might want to use an online dictionary such as merriam-webster.com or dictionary.com. ***Make sure that you include the link  to the definition and use “” for all definitions.

Then, answer the question(s) accompanying each one. While these answers are your opinion, you need to use evidence from what you read to support your assessment. 		 

Opinion -- an opinion piece represents one person’s perspective. This can be useful when the person is an expert in the field they are writing about and attempt to be unbiased. They offer a perspective on a specific topic.

  • Answer: How could an opinion piece be misleading? (Use your tools and write 3-4 sentences about how an opinion piece (and its author) might distort the “truth.”

Blog-- the word “blog” comes from the words web log. Whereas an opinion piece is one article, a blog consists of entries from one person. A blog is a collection of pieces that may all be on one topic (like cooking and recipes) or be on many (reflections of teacher).

  • Answer:What would make a blog unreliable about a topic? Look at this blog (or another) and write about the limitations of the author’s perspective.

SponsoredContent -- sponsored content is information that a sponsor (such as a business) pays to have published. Unlike an advertisement, sponsored content can sometimes appear to be news.

  • Answer: Why should bloggers or publishers be required to identify sponsored content (in contrast with other types of writing)?

News -- Events occurring locally, nationally, or globally. The news includes information such as weather and traffic → anything that might impact your day.

  • Answer: How can news be fake? What kinds of things might reporters (or news anchors) do to skew, slant, or alter information?

Feature -- An article that provides a report, but usually includes the author’s specific style or slant.

Investigative Journalism -- A piece written after a reporter has done extensive research into one topic.

Editorial-- A piece that takes a stance (or takes a side) about an issue. Unlike the opinion piece, this article is written by an editor of a paper.

Satire -- A piece that uses rhetorical tools to expose flaws or faults. These tools might be humor or irony.


Link to FCPS Library Services Databases: Find the info, explore fact, get answers
Link to FCPS LIS Databases


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