CurriculumGrade 8English Language Arts

Discussion & Analyzing Media

Aligned to SL.8.1 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

What this lesson teaches

In discussions, build on others' reasoning, and when you watch media, ask why it was made and what it wants you to think or do. Present your own claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence.

Worked example

Watching a sneaker ad, you ask: 'Why was this made?' The answer — to make you buy — reveals its motive, even though it shows happy athletes rather than facts about the shoe.

Practice questions

  1. Analyze an ad: what does it want you to think or do?
  2. Present a claim with reasoning and one piece of evidence.
  3. Build on a peer's point in a discussion.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

▶ Watch this lesson

En español

Participación en discusiones y análisis de medios de comunicación

En las discusiones, retoma el razonamiento de los demás; cuando veas contenido mediático, pregúntate por qué fue creado y qué quiere que pienses o hagas. Presenta tus propias posturas con argumentos sólidos y evidencia relevante.

Ejemplo: Al ver un anuncio de tenis, te preguntas: '¿Para qué fue hecho esto?' La respuesta —para que compres— revela su intención, aunque el anuncio muestre deportistas felices en lugar de datos concretos sobre el producto.

More Speaking & Listening lessons

Analyzing Media & MotivesSL.8.2Evaluating a Speaker's ArgumentSL.8.3Presenting Claims ClearlySL.8.4Adding Multimedia to TalksSL.8.5Formal & Informal SpeechSL.8.6

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