English · Year 8

Active learning ideas

The Power of the Editorial

Active learning works because editorial writing demands students step into a public voice, and that voice strengthens through doing, not just listening. When students draft, debate, and revise in real time, they move from passive readers to active advocates who see how evidence shapes opinion.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9E8LY01
• AC9E8LY06

• 30–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Mock Trial
• 45 min · Whole Class

Mock Trial: The Editorial Board

The class acts as an editorial board for a major newspaper. Students must pitch their editorial topics to the 'Editor-in-Chief' (the teacher or a student), justifying why their issue is urgent and what specific change they are calling for.

How does the use of inclusive language like 'we' and 'us' build a connection with the reader?

Facilitation Tip

During the Mock Trial, assign roles beforehand (editor-in-chief, researcher, rebuttal writer) to ensure every student contributes a specific task.

What to look for

Provide students with a short, published editorial. Ask them to identify one example of inclusive language and explain in one sentence how it connects the writer to the reader. Then, ask them to identify one persuasive device and explain its intended effect.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Decision-Making
• Social Awareness

Activity 02

• Inquiry Circle
• 30 min · Pairs

Inquiry Circle: The 'We' Factor

In pairs, students take a formal, detached argument and rewrite it using inclusive language and rhetorical questions. They then swap with another pair to see which version feels more persuasive and personal.

What is the effect of using a rhetorical question as a concluding statement in an argument?

Facilitation Tip

In the Collaborative Investigation, provide a graphic organizer with columns for claims, evidence, and audience connections to guide student thinking.

What to look for

Students exchange drafts of their editorials. Using a provided checklist, they assess: 1. Is the main argument clear? 2. Is at least one piece of evidence used? 3. Is there an attempt to acknowledge a counter-argument? Peers provide one specific suggestion for improvement.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Gallery Walk
• 40 min · Whole Class

Gallery Walk: Argument Mapping

Students post their editorial drafts on the walls. Peers move around with different colored markers to highlight the 'hook,' the 'evidence,' and the 'call to action,' providing feedback on which parts were most compelling.

How can a writer acknowledge a counter-argument without weakening their own position?

Facilitation Tip

For the Gallery Walk, place argument maps at eye level and number them so students can reference them during discussions.

What to look for

Present students with three different concluding sentences for an editorial. One is a statement, one is a rhetorical question, and one is a call to action. Ask students to vote on which is most effective and briefly explain why, considering the purpose of an editorial.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach editorial writing by modeling how to turn opinion into argument through layered evidence. Avoid treating it as opinion writing alone; insist on credible sources and clear rebuttals. Research shows students write stronger editorials when they first analyze published examples for structure and tone, not just content.

Successful learning looks like students using authoritative language, integrating credible evidence, and addressing counter-arguments in their drafts. They should show confidence in their stance while remaining open to reasoned debate.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Mock Trial, watch for students who dismiss counter-arguments as 'wrong' instead of engaging with them.

  Use the Mock Trial’s rebuttal phase to ask teams to respond to at least one counter-claim with evidence, modeling how credible editorials build authority by addressing opposing views.

• During the Collaborative Investigation, watch for students who assume including a counter-argument weakens their position.

  In the Collaborative Investigation, have pairs highlight where acknowledging the other side actually strengthens the main claim, using the 'We' factor graphic organizer to track audience connection and credibility.

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Methods used in this brief

• Mock Trial
• Inquiry Circle
• Gallery Walk