CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.7

ELA8th GradeIntegration of Knowledge and Ideas

The Standard

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Informational Text

What This Standard Means

Students compare how the same topic or idea works in different formats, such as an article, video, podcast, infographic, or interactive page. They need to name what each medium does well, what it leaves out, and how the format changes the reader’s or viewer’s understanding.

Mastery looks like a student using evidence from both sources to explain clear tradeoffs, not just saying which one they liked better. Students often get stuck giving vague opinions, ignoring missing information, or judging the topic instead of the medium used to present it.

Ways to Teach It

Give pairs an article and short video on the same topic, then have them complete a two-column chart of strengths and limits.
Ask students to write: Which format taught you more, and what did the other format help you understand better?
Use an exit ticket asking students to name one advantage and one disadvantage of a chart, video, or article from class.
Show a news website, printed article, and TV clip on one event, then discuss why each audience might choose that format.