52 Thinking Clearly

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Thinking Clearly Chapter Opening Page

Start-Up Activity

Read aloud an editorial or persuasive essay geared for young learners. (You could use a model from Writers Express.)
Ask students to identify at least one opinion and two or three facts expressed in the article. Display their responses. Discuss what clues students used to distinguish the facts from opinions.

Note that this chapter will help students understand the relationship between facts and opinions. It will also cover many more strategies for thinking clearly.

Think About It

“You are entitled to your own opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” 

—Daniel Patrick Moynihan

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 396 from Writers Express

Becoming a Clear Thinker

Review the tips for clear thinking. For practice, have students write down a short-term goal for the week and a long-term goal for the remainder of the school year. Encourage them to check their long-term goal regularly so that they can evaluate their progress.

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Page 397 from Writers Express

Using Facts and Opinions Correctly

Review the difference between a fact and an opinion.

  • A fact is something that is true—something that can be proven.
  • An opinion is something someone believes. It cannot be directly proven.

Lead students through the sample factual and opinion statements. Point out some of the key differences. The opinion statement cannot be checked for accuracy, while both factual statements can. Also, the opinion statement tells something that the writer thinks; the factual statements tell how things are.

Next, review the formula for creating a strong opinion statement. Ask students to create their own opinion statement about a topic they feel strongly about.

Finally, lead students through the tips for supporting opinions.

LAFS Standard:
TEKS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

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Page 398 from Writers Express

Avoiding Fuzzy Thinking

Discuss the importance of thinking clearly, writing clearly, and sticking to the facts. Bending the truth or intentionally misleading readers is never a good idea.

Review the forms of fuzzy thinking that your students should avoid. Examine each example and encourage students to be mindful of fuzzy thinking when they read and view the news.

 

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English Language Arts:

Page 399 from Writers Express

Avoiding Fuzzy Thinking (Continued)

Review the remaining examples of fuzzy thinking. Then have students complete this activity:

Reread the six Don’t statements. Then rewrite each of the "fuzzy" examples so that they are clear. Compare your examples with the examples written by your classmates.

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Page 400 from Writers Express

Making Good Decisions

Have students write freely about making tough decisions. To prompt their thinking, ask these questions:

  • How do you make up your mind when you face a tough decision?
  • Whom do you rely on for help?
  • How do you know when you've made the right choice?
  • How do you know when you've made the wrong choice?

Explain that the process on this page will help them work through tough decisions. Then review each step carefully.

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21st Century Skills:

Page 401 from Writers Express

Solving Problems

Express to students that the ability to solve problems is one of the most valuable life skills. Becoming a good problem solver will not only help students work through problems in school and at home but also later in life in jobs and careers. 

When students face a big or complicated problem, they can use the process on this page to analyze the problem and choose the best solution. Review each step closely.

If time permits, offer a hypothetical problem for students to work through individually or in groups. One hypothetical problem could be that your school is considering cutting recess time in half.

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Page 402 from Writers Express

Basic Thinking Moves

Review the different writing moves and strategies on this page. Pause for questions or comments about specific moves. Tell your students to review this page when they get stuck on an idea or find themselves in a thinking rut.

 

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