Understanding the difference between news and opinion is a foundational news literacy skill.

The news offers an objective account of an event, and often represents expert opinion. While opinion writing is a public exercise of judgement – which attempts to convince readers of its validity – and can encourage readers to refine their own perspectives and sharpen their own understanding.

In this lesson students will learn the difference between asserting an opinion, and making an argument build, exercise expressing judgement on an event or an issue and convince readers of its cognency.

Students will analyse press coverage and opinion writers’ columns on the same event, and write their own opinion piece on an issue they are passionate about.