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Comparing Two Accounts: Same Topic, Different Take

Students learn that two authors can write about the same topic yet tell very different stories — through the details they emphasize and the words they choose — and why reading both leads to sharper, more balanced thinking.

Grade 7Nonfiction50 minutes1 class periodReading WorkshopExplicit teaching4 StandardsCommon Core
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Compare how two authors treat a topic.
  • ✓Notice differences in emphasis and detail.
  • ✓Analyze how word choice reveals point of view.
  • ✓Explain the value of multiple sources.
Essential Question

Two news articles cover the same event but leave you with opposite impressions. How can that happen — and which one is “right”?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Two Views · Interactive

Two Views, One Topic

Project each pair of accounts and have students analyze how they differ. The tool explains how emphasis and word choice reveal each author’s point of view.

⚖️ Compare the two accountsTry it
Analyze how the two accounts of the same topic differ.
The Lesson · Reading Workshop (Mini-Lesson · Practice · Share)

50 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Connect — Same Event, Two Stories

5 min

Two articles on one event leave opposite impressions — how?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show two takes on one event.
  • Ask how they differ.
  • Set the goal: comparing accounts.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Read both takes.
  • Notice the difference.
  • Predict the cause.
2

Teach — Emphasis & Word Choice

12 min

Teacher models.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show authors emphasize different details.
  • Show word choice reveals attitude.
  • Explain point of view.

🎒 Student Actions

  • See the emphasis.
  • See the word choice.
  • Name the POV.
3

Active Engagement — Compare Together

13 min

Class uses Two Views.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Analyze paired accounts.
  • Find each author’s emphasis.
  • Explain the different impressions.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Compare the accounts.
  • Find the emphasis.
  • Explain the POV.
4

Independent Practice — Independent Practice

15 min

Students compare texts.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Give two texts on one topic.
  • Chart the differences.
  • Explain each POV with evidence.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Compare two texts.
  • Chart differences.
  • Explain with evidence.
5

Share — Share

5 min

Students share a comparison.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Invite a comparison.
  • Explain the value of both.
  • Hand out the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Share the comparison.
  • Explain the value.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

CCSS
RI.7.9

Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations by emphasizing different evidence or interpretations.

CCSS
RI.7.6

Determine an author’s point of view and analyze how the author distinguishes it from others.

CCSS
RI.7.1

Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis.

CCSS
SL.7.1

Engage effectively in collaborative discussions.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Compare accounts with a T-chart.
  • Sentence frame: “Author A emphasizes ___; Author B emphasizes ___.”
  • Highlight loaded words.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Compare two short, clear accounts.
  • Provide a comparison chart.
  • Focus on one difference.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Compare three sources on a topic.
  • Detect bias in word choice.
  • Write a balanced summary from both.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 📓Reading notebooks
  • 💻Two Views, One Topic
  • 📰Paired articles
  • 🖍️Highlighters
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

accounta description or report of eventsemphasisthe importance given to somethingpoint of viewan author’s attitude or positionperspectivea particular way of seeingbiasa leaning toward one sideword choicethe specific words a writer usesinterpretationan explanation of meaningbalancedfair to multiple sides
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
How can two authors write about the same topic yet leave different impressions?
By emphasizing different details and choosing different words, which reveal their different points of view.
QUESTION 2
What can word choice reveal about an author?
Their attitude or point of view — calling rain “refreshing” vs. “destructive” shows how they feel about it.
QUESTION 3
Why is it useful to read more than one account of a topic?
To see different perspectives and reach a fuller, more balanced understanding.

Going deeper? Detect the bias.

Have students highlight “loaded” words in two accounts of the same event and explain how each writer’s word choice reveals a point of view. A printable bias-detector sheet is in the ELA library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Comparing Two AccountsQuiz
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Comparing Two AccountsPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: account, balanced, bias, emphasis, interpretation, perspective, point of view, word choice
  1. an author’s attitude or position
  2. the specific words a writer uses
  3. the importance given to something
  4. a leaning toward one side
  5. a description or report of events
  6. an explanation of meaning
  7. fair to multiple sides
  8. a particular way of seeing

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. How can two authors write about the same topic yet leave different impressions?
  2. What can word choice reveal about an author?
  3. Why is it useful to read more than one account of a topic?
Answer key — Part A: 1) point of view · 2) word choice · 3) emphasis · 4) bias · 5) account · 6) interpretation · 7) balanced · 8) perspective
Part B: 1) By emphasizing different details and choosing different words, which reveal their different points of view. 2) Their attitude or point of view — calling rain “refreshing” vs. “destructive” shows how they feel about it. 3) To see different perspectives and reach a fuller, more balanced understanding.